Reducing dependency on pesticides – A sustainable path to improving food safety in Vietnam

Vietnam - one of the top users of pesticides in the region

Vietnam currently ranks among the top users of agriculture pesticides with 1,820 active ingredients across 4,537 commercial products. (Source) Another statistic reveals that Vietnam applies 16.2kg of pesticides per hectare of cultivated land, compared to Thailand's 8.4kg/ha, Cambodia's 2.9kg/ha, and Laos's 0.1kg/ha.

Undoubtedly, pesticides play a crucial role in agriculture. However, excessive use can lead to serious consequences for the environment and directly impact human health.

Chemicals from pesticides persist in agricultural produce after application. Additionally, residues remain in soil, water, and air. High pesticide residues can significantly affect the environment, disrupting ecosystems and causing harm. (Source) This leads to a crucial concern: How can Vietnam reduce its dependence on pesticides to foster more sustainable agricultural practices?

Heading towards new solutions to reduce dependency on pesticides

In response to the challenge, the University of Sydney and its partners have collaborated on launched research initiatives focused on enhancing diagnostics, advancing plant pathology research, and reducing dependency on pesticides. The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute has been pivotal in promoting collaborative research between Australia and Vietnam, aiming for an advanced, green, and sustainable agriculture sector. Nearly 50 years since the establishment of official relations in 1973, Vietnam and Australia have cultivated a deepening and increasingly successful cooperation across various fields, with agriculture being a key focus among them.

Since the early 2000s, the University of Sydney has collaborated with numerous institutes, universities, and research centers in Vietnam to conduct extensive studies on plant pathology. These include diseases such as Phytophthora root rot in durian, cocoa diseases, potato blight, tomato and citrus diseases, rubber, pineapple, pepper, lychee, mango, and coffee nematode diseases, among others. These studies aim not only to enhance disease diagnosis in crops but also contribute to reducing reliance on pesticides.

In 2012, Professor David Guest from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment at the University of Sydney was awarded the Campaign Medal for his contributions to agriculture and rural development in Vietnam. Recently, the University of Sydney also officially launched the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute with its head office in Ho Chi Minh City, followed by offices in Hanoi, and Can Tho, a non-profit social enterprise owned by the university. The establishment of this institute will continue to drive research forward, marking a new chapter in the collaboration between the two countries.

Professor David Guest shared: “Economic and social development in Vietnam has increased the demand for safe, high-quality food for domestic and export production. Consumers are concerned by contamination of foods with pesticides and toxins arising from farming, storage, and marketing practices, and with the emergence of human pathogens with resistance to therapeutic medicines. We are collaborating with Hue University in a One Health study involving researchers in economics, plant, animal, and human health, to improve food safety along the supply chain in Vietnam.”

The Institute aims to enhance high-quality research capabilities and connect with leading domestic organizations. A group of top experts is currently collaborating to better understand the impact of pesticides in agriculture and food on human health. This collaboration focuses not only on sustainable agriculture but also at protecting consumer health. The vision of the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute is sustainable, mutually beneficial collaboration at all levels of higher education and promoting research between Australia and Vietnam.

Through the Institute's research and initiatives, Vietnam is moving closer to a sustainable agriculture system that relies less on pesticides and is safer for both the environment and people. This promising approach helps address the significant challenges currently facing the agricultural sector.