Dr. Pham Thi Sen is a researcher from Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (NOMAFSI) in Vietnam, a partner in CURE’s upland working group. She plays a key role in coordinating CURE and other efforts aimed at sustainably managing agricultural systems, landscapes and environments in the Northern Mountainous Region (NMR), which is the poorest region in Vietnam. The NRM is characterized by diverse, complex and challenging topographical, soil, climate and socio-economic features.

She has extensive experience in working with farming communities and local partners, and with her NOMAFSI team, has engaged in participatory R&D activities. She has successfully linked CURE initiatives with agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, French Woman who matters Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and with local government units - making their inputs and outputs well-complemented and synergized.

The NOMAFSI team’s goal is to restore and protect the beauty and diversity of natural resources of the NMR, while sustainably reducing poverty of local farming communities, which is why its support to CURE is among its prime priorities. The team has provided support to farmers in different locations to restore local rice varieties, developed farm seed production and supply, conducted participatory varietal selections (PVS), and adopted integrated pest management, (IPM), integrated crop management (ICM), and conservation agriculture practices for rice.