Combining renewable energy with agricultural production and keeping up with the GREEN CONSUMPTION trend
To minimize negative environmental and human health impacts while keeping up with the world’s sustainable consumption trends, CAS Energy, a company specializing in renewable energy began implementing the CAS Farm project in November 2022 – applying high technology to Vietnam’s agricultural production sector.
CAS Energy’s main products include organic fruits and vegetables, humane eggs, and renewable energy for agricultural production. Thanks to a team of highly specialized engineers, CAS Energy combines a humane chicken-raising model with a renewable energy system on the barn’s roof, providing a source of clean energy to support agricultural operations, thereby achieving net zero, and alleviating strain on conventional energy sources.
CAS Energy is one of the pioneers in reducing emissions in the egg industry. It is also the first unit in the Central region to achieve Certified Humane Egg certification.
“Every time you choose to use a CAS Farm product, you are choosing zero emissions and a green future for ourselves and the next generation.”
Although having “rare and good” products, CAS Energy faces difficulties accessing the market as they lack experience and sales skills. In 2023, the business presented a sales pitch to several retail distribution units and restaurants, including the largest retail chain in the Central region. However, they showed little interest in this relatively new product line.
“Price isn’t a major barrier as the cost of humane and “zero emissions” eggs of CAS isn’t significantly higher than free-range eggs. We became aware that it is necessary to identify the right target customers – high-standard purchasing entities with a shared vision and sustainability goals.” – Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Linh – CAS Farm Project Manager stated.
Furthermore, CAS Energy’s communication strategy to build trust in the CAS Farm brand is also a challenge businesses encounter when approaching some hotels
Seizing the opportunity
By accessing information from the Facebook Page of the Women’s Initiative for Startups and Entrepreneurship (WISE) and through referrals from the Social Impact Business Network, CAS Energy was informed about and subsequently enrolled in the Business Acceleration Program tailored for women-owned businesses. This program aims to promote inclusive and gender-responsive procurement practices within the tourism sector, as part of the WE RISE TOGETHER Project – implemented by UN Women and WISE. The Project has facilitated enhanced comprehension of market trends and the criteria set by procurement entities. Additionally, it has provided support to women-owned businesses in efficiently accessing procurement units through a range of training and mentoring sessions, and business networking activities.
The highlight of the Accelerator Program is the immediate involvement and network opportunities with purchasing units, helping CAS Energy and suppliers understand the technical requirements for product quality, as well as the purchasing management process of high-end hotels. Therefore, they can better prepare to join the regional hotel supply chain. CAS Energy also highly appreciates the support in communication and marketing, which is a major bottleneck for the business. Participating in the Program opened a new door for CAS Energy, allowing them to take advantage of resources and practical knowledge from in-depth training sessions on building their brand and marketing. “We swiftly applied the insights learned from experts to our marketing strategy, enhancing its effectiveness and fostering a robust, trustworthy brand image in the heart of customers and partners.” – Ms. Linh shared.
Continuing the success
Through the Program’s networking activities, in February 2024, CAS Energy successfully became a supplier of humane eggs for Four Points by Sheraton Da Nang Hotel, and Marriott Hon Tra Hotel, which belongs to the Marriott International group. The group is also a pioneer in developing and implementing diverse and gender-responsive procurement policies, with 51% of the chain’s suppliers being women or disadvantaged groups. Currently, the purchase of Four Points by Sheraton Da Nang contributes 50% of CAS Energy’s egg production. “Companies that are embracing gender responsive and inclusive supply chain not only tap into a talent pool but also secure sustainable and prosperous development.” said Ms. Caroline T.Nyamayemombe, Representative of UN Women Viet Nam.
In addition, from the business networking event in March 2024, the business also had the opportunity to connect and introduce products to some potential hotels such as Sheraton Da Nang Hotel, Four Seasons the Nam Hai, and Shilla Monogram. This connection session helps them better understand market needs, target the right potential customers, and also take new steps in expanding the market. This will also be a stepping stone to help CAS expand its production scale and develop more products such as herbal eggs and nutritious eggs, to meet the needs of diverse customers.
Understanding the importance of a diverse and responsible supply chain after participating in the Program, Ms. Nguyen Pham Cam Tu – Co-founder of CAS Energy also encourages supply chain partners to share their efforts of sustainable development and gender equality in its business activities. In December 2023, CAS Energy officially joined the community of businesses supporting Women’s Empowerment Principles – WEPs, contributing to gender equality and empowering women’s promotion in the workplace, market, and community, which CAS Energy has been maintaining and spreading.
“While women-owned businesses’ products have good quality, they face major challenges in accessing the market. The success of supporting CAS Energy to become a supplier to high-end hotels is a demonstration that the Accelerator Program’s support activities properly address the difficulties of women-owned businesses.” – shared Ms. Tu Thu Hien, Director of the Women’s Initiative for Startups and Entrepreneurship (WISE).”
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The Business Acceleration Program for women-owned businesses is within the framework of the WE RISE Together project – Creating equal market opportunities for women by advancing Supplier Diversity through Gender-Responsive Procurement (SD-GRP) in Viet Nam, funded by the Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership, and implemented by UN Women in collaboration with WISE.
Through the Project, women-owned and gender-responsive businesses could access the opportunities to participate in the tourism supply chain in Vietnam through activities such as capacity building, market connection, and promoting gender equality.
👉Learn more about the WE RISE Together project: https://bit.ly/3PrpLJz
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CAS Energy – A high-tech company with over 15 years of experience, specializing in providing solutions for Automation, Renewable Energy and High-tech Agriculture. CAS Farm – a project researched and developed by CAS Energy to bring a new direction to Viet Nam agricultural industry – an agricultural method aimed at environmental sustainability and a positive impact on human health.
Recently, CAS Energy was honored in the top 50 sustainable development enterprises – an award voted by Nhip Cau Dau Tu Magazine and the council. Moreover, the enterprise participated in the final of the “Carbon Credit Initiative” contest and took part in the National Climate Launchpad Vietnam 2023. Notably, CAS is one of 9 projects selected to participate in the UK Government’s Climate Finance Promotion Program (CFA), with a total value of up to 11.8 million pounds.
👉Learn more about CAS Farm at:
