Project
Sustainable Citrus Chain empowering and Developing Smallholders in the Mekong Delta
Background
Vietnam’s citrus sector has grown rapidly in recent decades, driven by the country’s transformation into a global agricultural leader. With over 136,000 hectares of citrus plantations, the Mekong Delta stands at the heart of this growth, contributing significantly to domestic supply and emerging export markets.
For many smallholder farmers in the region, citrus cultivation has become a key source of income, often replacing traditional rice farming and increasing earnings fivefold.
However, the sector now faces critical challenges—from declining yields and soil health due to overuse of agro-chemicals, to poor access to virus-free seedlings, technical knowledge, and high-value markets.
These pressures threaten both farmer livelihoods and the long-term sustainability of citrus farming.
SUCCEEDS was established to reverse this trend: empowering smallholders in the Mekong Delta to build a more resilient, efficient, and globally competitive citrus value chain.
SUCCEEDS is part of the Sustainable Development Goals Partnership (SDGP) programme of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency that supports public-private partnerships working to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It co-finances innovative projects that promote sustainable and inclusive growth in developing countries.
Our Mission
To empower smallholder citrus farmers by improving their efficiency, profitability, and sustainability through better farming practices and a supportive value chain.
Objectives
SUCCEEDS aims to transform citrus farming in the Mekong Delta into a sustainable and inclusive value chain that improves livelihoods and protects the environment. Keeping smallholder farmers included in the global fruit chain is crucial for promoting sustainable growth
At its core, the project seeks to increase the income of 150,000 smallholder citrus farmers by at least 50% through better yields, improved fruit quality, and access to higher-value markets. To achieve this, SUCCEEDS promotes sustainable farming practices, supports the use of certified virus-free seedlings, and strengthens farmer capacity through tailored extension services and financial access.
SUCCEEDS also works to reduce the overuse of agrochemicals and water, enhance food safety compliance, and ensure environmental protection. By building partnerships between farmers, businesses, research institutions, and local governments, SUCCEEDS sets the foundation for a resilient citrus sector that can thrive both domestically and internationally.
Our Vision
To ensure that a large number of smallholder farmers remain actively included in global fruit value chains, securing their livelihoods and the future of sustainable citrus farming.
Project approach
SUCCEEDS takes a hands-on, farmer-first approach to build a better citrus sector: by transforming the entire value chain from the ground up. Rather than top-down directives, the project empowers smallholder farmers through practical support: expert-led training, field-based demonstration centers, and access to virus-free seedlings and customized fertilizer advice.
Farmers are integrated into a professional contract farming model, backed by a dedicated extension service and fit-for-purpose financial products. On the market side, SUCCEEDS connects farmers directly to high-value domestic and international buyers through TFR’s robust supply chain, ensuring stable prices and year-round demand. At the same time, environmental sustainability is baked into every step, through smarter agrochemical use, improved water efficiency, and strict compliance with global food safety and social standards.
This integrated approach, linking knowledge, finance, markets, and sustainability, makes SUCCEEDS a model for inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural development.
Work packages
Improved farm management
By delivering intensive training programs to farmers and extension staff, and establishing demonstration farms and citrus training centers, citrus farm management practices will be significantly enhanced. Combined with detailed data collection and transparent sharing of results with farmers, these improvements will be sustainable and long-lasting.
Soil nutrient management
By conducting individual soil and leaf sampling on farms, tailored fertilizer recommendations can significantly improve yields while reducing the environmental impact of excessive fertilizer use. Looking ahead, the goal is to make this service widely accessible by demonstrating that the long-term benefits will outweigh the initial costs for farmers.
Access to finance
Many farmers face financial challenges in the early years after planting citrus orchards, limiting their ability to invest in better practices. By improving access to credit, farmers can upgrade their farms and meet certification standards. As they recognise the benefits of improved farm management the value of farm investment becomes clear. Tailored credit services can support long-term growth.
Long shelflife
By introducing advanced sorting and processing technology, citrus quality can be significantly improved while reducing food waste. Smart sorting lines ensure fruit is consistently graded and feedback helps farmers improve their harvests. With better processing capacity and storage solutions, larger volumes can be handled during peak season and extend shelf life.
Enabling environment
An enabling environment is created by firstly raising consumer awareness: Vietnamese consumers will be convinced to purchase safe and sustainably produced citrus at a slight higher costs. At the same time strong partnerships are formed with all relevant citrus chain actors (producers, provincial officials, policy makers, export company) to better support the citrus sector.
Learning
Everything related to learning within SUCCEEDS can be found here: tutorials, videoclips, training modules, infographics, handouts etc. And of course a Q&A section.
Impact
With a vision to uplift 150,000 citrus smallholders, SUCCEEDS is already creating impact by directly benefiting 20,000 farmers through higher incomes, sustainable practices, and stronger access to markets. Here is how SUCCEEDS is turning that vision into real impact:
100000
Citrus seedlings produced per year by demo nursery
3
Citrus demonstration and training farms
1
Professional demo nursery
5
Citrus nurseries professionalised
8000000
High quality citrus seedlings produced by nurseries
2250
Citrus farmers trained in better farming practices
20000
Citrus farmers have access to better citrus seedlings
30
Well trained extension staff
200
Farmers get access to finance to invest in their farms
500
Contract farmers professionalised, GLOBALGAP and GRASP certified
1000 ha
eco-friendly managed citrus farms, compliant with LEAF standard
50 %
Increase of farmer income
150000
Citrus farmers impacted through training programs, social media and local TV stations
Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 SDG’s of the United Nations (UN) are an urgent call for action by all countries. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth. A crucial step to achieve the SDGs is to keep smallholder farms included into global fruit chains. The following SDGs are addressed in SUCCEEDS.
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