This initiative is part of Intervention Package 8 (IP8), titled "Food Systems Transformation for More Nutritious and Healthy Diets," operating under the wider ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food Regional Program (2023–2027). The program is led by The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, a key member of the global CGIAR research partnership, in close collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Together, these organizations aim to harness agricultural biodiversity and novel partnerships to address global crises such as malnutrition, climate change, and environmental degradation.

HAPRI's specific role focuses on analyzing market dynamics for sustainable farming. The objective is to conduct a comprehensive review of the added value, such as nutrient density, of products derived from sustainable practices like regenerative agriculture and NATURE+ systems. A key focus of this work is to identify effective consumer incentives and target actions that can improve market opportunities for these sustainable products, bridging the gap between environmentally friendly farming and consumer demand.

Ultimately, this project supports country-led transformation processes designed to strengthen the connections between production, processing, distribution, and consumption across the region. By enabling ASEAN agri-food systems to become more resilient, the initiative aims to deliver better livelihoods for stakeholders and ensure that millions of consumers have access to safe, sustainable, and healthy diets. This work contributes to a broader vision of enhanced gender equity and social inclusiveness across the ASEAN food system.

The project aims to assess the current state of core capabilities and skills of mango farmers engaged in export activities within the framework of farm management applying digital technology. The assessment results will be used to develop a plan and a feasible roadmap to enhance traceability and improve food safety in the mango export value chain in Dong Thap and Son La, Vietnam.

Led by the Health and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (HAPRI) at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, the "Food Loss in the Pangasius Catfish Value Chain of the Mekong River Basin" project is a comprehensive research initiative funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Running from April 2023 to June 2026, the project aims to increase awareness of food loss and waste within the Pangasius industry and facilitate investments to reduce it. By addressing the entire production spectrum, from farmers to consumers, the initiative seeks to propose solutions that minimize waste, resulting in improved livelihoods for small-scale producers, enhanced community well-being, and significant environmental benefits through increased system efficiency.

The project operates as a cross-border collaboration across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, engaging a diverse network of academic, government, and private sector partners. Key academic partners include the National University of Laos, the Royal University of Agriculture in Cambodia, and the University of New England in Australia. A major focus of the project is private sector engagement; researchers have actively collaborated with major industry players such as the Vinh Hoan Corporation and Vietnam Food to identify loss hotspots and potential interventions. Additionally, the project maintains high-level governmental engagement, evidenced by the sharing of initial research findings with senior directors at Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Recent activities in 2024 and 2025 have focused on data gathering and capacity building, including in-depth interviews with farmers and processors, stakeholder surveys in An Giang and Dong Thap provinces, and training sessions on value chain mapping. A significant milestone was reached on June 16, 2025, when the project signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam Food, a leading company in food waste transformation, to co-design pilot interventions. Looking ahead, the team is focused on implementing these locally driven solutions and pilot interventions throughout late 2025 and 2026 to practically address food loss in the region.

Implementation of the Planning Law is underway, along with the directives of Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP dated November 17, 2017, issued by the Government on the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region in adaptation to climate change, and Resolution No. 751/2019/UBTVQH14 by the National Assembly Standing Committee. These resolutions guide national, regional, and provincial planning for the 2021-2030 period. In the Mekong Delta region, the preparation of provincial plans for 12 out of the 13 provinces and cities has been approved, including for An Giang.

In accordance with the Planning Law, the government's Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP dated November 17, 2017, on the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region to adapt to climate change, and the National Assembly Standing Committee's Resolution No. 751/2019/UBTVQH14 on national, regional, and provincial planning, the planning process for the 2021-2030 period is being carried out. Within the Mekong Delta region, the provincial planning efforts for 12 out of the 13 provinces and cities have been approved, which includes Kien Giang.

In line with the Planning Law, the government's Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP dated November 17, 2017, on sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region in response to climate change, and the National Assembly Standing Committee's Resolution No. 751/2019/UBTVQH14 on national, regional, and provincial planning, preparations for the 2021-2030 planning period are underway. For the Mekong Delta region, the provincial planning for 12 out of the 13 provinces and cities, including Soc Trang, has been approved.