ABSTRACT
This contribution analyzes the potential of ecosystem services in an agro-based bioeconomy, illustrated through the concept of VAC. VAC is a traditional Vietnamese integrated farming ecosystem: “V” is for Vườn, representing horticulture crop vegetable gardens; “A” is for Ao, representing aquaculture fish shrimp ponds; and “C” is for Chuồng, illustrating animal husbandry livestock as well as animal pens, sheds and stables. VAC represents a more or less closed system through the integration of fish farming with livestock production and agricultural crops and vegetable farming. The VAC system was adapted as V-A-C-R to regional characteristics such as mountainous areas by the addition of forestry and in rice production areas by the addition of a circular use of rice paddy fields. This traditional farming strategy in rural lowland and highland areas provides several benefits, most importantly year-round income through increased input efficiency and consequent nutrient recycling.
