The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) concerning the anticipated Climate Resilient Agriculture in the Mekong Delta Activity. This potential five-year project, estimated at $48 million, aims to promote low-emission, climate-resilient agricultural practices that support biodiversity and enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. The RFI seeks feedback on the draft Program Description from interested parties to refine the activity's design, but it is not a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) or a solicitation for proposals. Responses are voluntary and can influence future project parameters, though there is no obligation for changes based on input received. Interested organizations must submit their comments via email before the deadline of April 19, 2023, and responses should include basic organizational information along with comments not exceeding three pages. The initiative underscores USAID’s commitment to enhancing agricultural livelihoods while addressing climate change challenges and fostering ecosystem health.
The USAID Climate Resilient Agriculture in the Mekong Delta project aims to enhance climate resilience in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, an area vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation. Launched in partnership with the Vietnamese Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development, the initiative seeks to promote low-methane agricultural practices, support vulnerable communities, and protect biodiversity through four key strategies: developing low-emission agricultural practices, fostering community resilience, advocating for nature-based solutions, and formulating supportive policies.
Over five years, the project will focus on five provinces—Dong Thap, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang—addressing interlinked threats from climate change, water mismanagement, and agricultural practices that increase greenhouse gas emissions. Key objectives include strengthening community resilience to climate impacts, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
The program aligns with Vietnam's governmental strategies for greenhouse gas reductions, including commitments to the Global Methane Pledge. The project emphasizes stakeholder capacity building, climate data accessibility, and gender-sensitive approaches to empower vulnerable populations, particularly women. Through collaboration, adaptive learning, and alignment with U.S. government policies, this initiative aims to foster substantial environmental and socio-economic benefits in the Mekong Delta.