Opportunities and priorities for further investment in improving the productivity and sustainability of crop and livestock systems on sands in south-central coastal Vietnam

The South-central coastal (SCC) region of Vietnam has challenging constraints to productive and sustainable intensification of agriculture: low fertility sandy soils, long dry seasons and shallow groundwater. The present proceedings describe studies in three provinces (Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Ninh Thuan) representing a range of climates, farming systems and sandy landscapes of SCC Vietnam. The chapters in these proceedings analysed the value chains for key agricultural commodities, characterised the constraints on the sands, demonstrated the productivity gains from balanced nutrient inputs, soil amendments and better irrigation scheduling and showed improved profitability of beef-cattle management through better quality forages and programs to improve on-farm practices. Many interventions for improved market access and profitability of cropping and beef-cattle enterprises have been identified and partially tested. More details of these findings are outlined below and in the preceding chapters. Identification and alleviation of soil constraints are highlighted as a key priority for productive cropping in this region. Integration of cropping with profitable livestock production is a notable opportunity for the intensification of farming systems. Sustainability of groundwater resources is a significant issue for the future of agriculture in the SCC region of Vietnam.