Description of the project: Organik Farm (created in Dalat, Vietnam, in 2007) is a perfect example of women’s empowerment through sustainable, climate resilient farming and food distribution. Organik processes “bio” certified vegetables and fruits from mountainous lands. Vegetables are grown according to GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and organic standards. The produce is distributed through their Ho-Chi-Minh City shop; online shop; diverse retail channels; also exporting to Cambodia and Thailand. The Farm employs women at all levels: farming, sales, accounting, purchasing and management. It offers a specific pricing policy for schools and hospitals, ensuring organic diet for children and the sick.

Climate impact: The Farm strengthens the ecosystems, ensuring presence of beneficial insects, greater below-ground diversity, nutrient cycling, disease suppression, nitrogen fixation. Its performance is good in energy consumption, soil conservation, water-use efficiency, water purity, increasing soil health (crop rotations, green manures, composting), proving that a farm can manage resources sustainably and climate friendly.

Gender impact: Vietnamese girls and women continue to suffer gender-based violence and gender inequalities. Organik Farm has 55 employees, of which 44 women: 8/17 farmers, 20/21 processing staff, 12/14 managers, and 2/3 shop assistants. Employees climb the work ladder very fast. Organik trains women on organic, GAP; hygiene food safety; free range; non-GMO; crop rotation; seedlings; natural pest control; animal husbandry. They also build capacity on decision-making for sales, purchases and coordination of market schedules.

Scalability / replicability: Organik Farm has already scaled up sales via an online platform. Its economic model aims to create new direct distribution channels and convince consumers to buy organic for a healthier diet and a sustainable impact on livelihoods of farmers and communities. The project has its own R&D center focused on the agronomic specificity of this mountainous area in North Vietnam. It promotes the local ethnic community’s knowledge and enables replication in similar areas.