On 15 November, USAID Vietnam Mission Director Michael Greene, representatives of the Long An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and local farmers attended a training supported by USAID’s Vietnam Forests and Deltas program to inform farmers about improved planting techniques that reduce inputs and increase yield and profits. The Mission Director also visited a demonstration site where farmers use integrated pest management strategies to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, and water conservation techniques. To date, nearly 1,500 households in Long An and Nam Dinh provinces have put this model into practice, helping them reduce inputs, increase rice productivity and increase their income, while also contributing to GHG emissions reductions.  With USAID support, the commune has completed a disaster preparedness plan, trained a rapid response unit, and conducted a series of school-based activities to build the awareness of local youth about disasters and how they can respond.