Success Story - Nguyen Thi Kim Anh
From Tra Vinh's rice paddies to the global stage
Nguyen Thi Kim Anh's journey to Reshape Agriculture
In a nation where agriculture faces mounting pressure from climate change and market volatility, a new generation of young innovators like Kim Anh is writing an inspiring story of change. This final-year student from Tra Vinh University isn't just carrying the anxieties of her farming roots; she's transforming them into a tangible solution called EarthFeast—a tech platform poised to revolutionize the traditional shrimp-rice farming model.
This September, Kim Anh's journey with EarthFeast will take her to the global stage in Wageningen, the Netherlands, where she will represent Vietnam in the grand finals of the 2025 Food Systems Innovation Challenge: Nature-based Solutions edition. For her, this is a pivotal opportunity to present EarthFeast not just as a project, but as a living example of a Nature-based Solution born from the challenges of her own community. It’s a chance to gain invaluable support from world-class experts at Wageningen University & Research and from the Netherlands Food Partnership, as the two event organizers, and connect with stakeholders who can help transform her grassroots vision into a scalable reality, proving the power of a single, empathetic idea to drive global change.
A drive rooted in the rice fields
Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, a 21-year-old student of Environmental Resource Management at Tra Vinh University, grew up surrounded by the realities of farm life. Her childhood was marked by the painful paradox of "a good harvest means a bad price," the constant pressure of being squeezed by middlemen, and the hardship of increasing saltwater intrusion. These deep-seated experiences nurtured a powerful desire within her: "to contribute to changing living conditions for farmers."
This commitment grew stronger during her six-month exchange program at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, our impact partner, which she describes as a valuable and meaningful experience. There, she had the opportunity to work with a hydroponics model that integrated IoT to automatically monitor and adjust nutrients, pH, and light. Additionally, as a member of a wastewater treatment project, she recognized the great potential of reusing treated water for sustainable farming systems. This experience changed her perspective on agriculture—a field where she now sees that technology, the environment, and creativity can be combined to create practical solutions for Vietnam.
She hopes to apply the knowledge and solutions learned in the Netherlands to improve water pollution in Vietnam's agriculture, especially in regions affected by climate change and saltwater intrusion.
#motivation
Her motivation wasn't born from theory, but from a real-world moment.
“I had the chance to visit the Con Long Hoa area, where farmers were cultivating a promising shrimp-rice model adapted to saltwater intrusion, yet they faced immense difficulties selling their products. Sitting with them, listening to their deep-seated worries about market access and unstable prices, was the true catalyst”, Kim Anh recalls.
That moment inspired the creation of EarthFeast: a tech platform designed to connect farmers directly with consumers, aiming to increase the value of their products and give local communities a stronger voice.
Trust = Dedication + Commitment + Tangible results
#challenges
The journey from an idea to reality is never simple. For EarthFeast, the team’s greatest hurdle wasn't technology, but trust. "The biggest challenge we faced was convincing the farmers to believe in us and join our journey," she explains. "Introducing technology to agriculture, especially in areas with limited information access, requires more than just clear explanations—it demands patience and deep listening." They understood the farmers' skepticism was natural. Instead of being discouraged, the team chose to "build trust through dedication, commitment, and visualising results"
The moment their efforts paid off was when they heard the sincere words of gratitude from the very people they aimed to help. For Kim Anh, that wasn't just recognition; it was a powerful motivation to keep pushing forward.
Practice-based learning
Practice-based learning
Leading EarthFeast has taught Kim Anh lessons no textbook could ever provide.
"I no longer see agriculture as just fields, crops, and livestock," she says. "To me now, it's an ecosystem that integrates technology, commerce, the environment, and social responsibility." The project has honed her skills in communication, listening, leadership, and strategy. This journey has crystallized the career path she wants to pursue: developing innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change.
"I want to be someone who creates applicable solutions and models—not necessarily grand, but practical and aligned with the needs of the people. EarthFeast is the first step on that longer path."
"START SMALL – BUT START NOW"
(Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, 2025 Changmaker Challenge Winner)
For someone who might feel your ideas are too small or too difficult to implement, Kim Anh’s message is clear and powerful: "Start small—but start now."
"Don't wait for the perfect idea to begin. When you truly care about a problem and dare to step out of your comfort zone... you'll be surprised how many people are willing to help, how many doors will open for you." She encourages young people to share their ideas, enter competitions, and not be afraid of making mistakes, as every error is a lesson in experience.
In her last words, Kim Anh concluded: "Always remember why you started. No matter how small the idea, if it stems from empathy, determination, and a desire for positive change, it is always worthy of being pursued to the end."
The story of Nguyen Thi Kim Anh and EarthFeast is the very embodiment of what Empower Youth4Food stands for: a vivid testament to how Vietnam's young professionals, armed with empathy and an innovative spirit, can drive meaningful change, starting right in their own backyards. Supporting the dedication of young agricultural leaders like her is at the heart of our mission.
As they step onto the global stage at the Food Systems Innovation Challenge 2025, we believe that they carry not only the hopes of a community but also the promise of a more sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture locally, nationally, and globally.
Curious about the journey of EarthFeast? Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates: HERE
