Documenting sustainable supply chains in Vietnam as part of the EUDR Engagement Project has been an important part of efforts to raise awareness about sustainable supply chains. This project is part of the European Union's initiative to implement the Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR), aimed at halting deforestation caused by agricultural production. Statistics show that approximately 90% of global deforestation is a result of agricultural expansion, which significantly impacts biodiversity and contributes to climate change.
EUDR requires companies importing to the EU to demonstrate that their products, such as coffee, rubber, palm oil, and timber, have not caused deforestation after 2020. This represents a significant step forward but also poses challenges for exporting countries, including Vietnam. As one of the EU's major suppliers of coffee and rubber, Vietnam plays a critical role in aligning local value chains with the requirements of EUDR. Compliance with these standards not only addresses mandatory requirements but also offers an opportunity for Vietnam to enhance its image as a sustainable producer in the global market.
Capturing Sustainable Practices in Coffee and Rubber Production
In Son La, my photography work for GIZ Bio Vietnam focused on activities such as nurturing coffee plants in nurseries, harvesting ripe beans, and processing them at local facilities. The captured images included plantation landscapes, production activities, and groups of local workers. These photos and videos serve as documentary evidence, highlighting the farmers’ role in building a sustainable coffee supply chain. This effort also helps convey the message that sustainable production not only protects the environment but also supports local economic development.
The journey continued in Binh Phuoc, where I documented processes in the rubber industry, from latex collection to processing at factories. My focus was on the technical aspects and scale of production here, illustrating modernization and technological advancements in agriculture. The production system in Binh Phuoc reflects a blend of tradition and technology, from workers tapping latex early in the morning to modern processing lines. The images and videos captured detailed stages of the rubber value chain, serving the project’s communication and reporting objectives.
Meeting Project Requirements and Deliverables
The work required a high degree of precision, particularly in meeting technical standards for resolution and formatting. For example, photographs needed a minimum resolution of 300dpi, suitable for large print publications, while videos had to meet Full HD standards with a frame rate of 60fps. This ensured that the final outputs could be effectively utilized in training materials and international communication campaigns. Additionally, close coordination with the project team was essential to ensure all content and format-specific requirements were met.
Another critical aspect of the project was its impact on local communities. In Son La, ethnic minority groups play a central role in the coffee value chain. Capturing images of these workers not only served a documentary purpose but also honored their efforts in maintaining traditional cultivation practices while adapting to new sustainability standards. Similarly, in Binh Phuoc, labor communities in the rubber sector are also navigating international standards while preserving local cultural values.
The biggest challenge was the tight timeframe, with limited total project duration. This required me to optimize workflows and develop detailed plans to ensure that all technical and content requirements were met within the restricted timeline.
The photos and videos I completed for the project are not merely artistic products but also vital communication tools. They will be used in manuals, awareness campaigns, and project reports to help stakeholders better understand the importance of sustainable supply chains. More importantly, these materials will contribute to creating an enabling environment for Vietnamese businesses to meet EUDR requirements and expand export opportunities to the EU.
Participating in the EUDR Engagement Project is another significant project in a series of collaborations I have undertaken with international organizations, including GIZ. It was an opportunity to apply my photography and content production skills to contribute to global efforts in environmental protection and sustainable development. The images and videos produced not only help convey the project’s message but also support businesses and local communities in meeting international standards for deforestation-free supply chains.
