Co-operation VGRRC-DED from 2001 to 2003
- DED staff:
- Ms. Susanne Hugo, M. Sc. Agric.
Objective
Poor farm households income has increased by integrating livestock, fodder and crop production thus eliminating hunger and reducing poverty in the hilly and mountainous areas of northern Vietnam.
Background
Since 1995, VGRRC is successfully co-operating with the DED. In 1999, the centre obtained the mandate for extension work and received additional funding by the government in recognition for the working results achieved. This co-operation is contributing to a long-term increase in agricultural productivity, diversification, efficiency, food security and rural income by introducing small animal husbandry following VACRB. This system is self-contained, sustainable and diverse, providing food for the family and for sale, insuring against failures of particular crops and markets. It employs family labour, a major contribution being made by women. Therefore, women play an important role in the project activities. The target group of the DED co-operation are subsistence farmers in Ba Vi and Son Tay who either own livestock already or are encouraged to start goat and rabbit husbandry, earthworm production and to install biogas units and/or energy saving ovens.
Tasks
Extension
- Supporting and advising the centre's extension team in technical questions regarding VACRB
- To advise farmer families locally
Technical Training and Transfer Centre
- Providing support and technical feed-back for staff of the extension department and the development of the Technical Training and Transfer Centre Unit within VGRRC
- Assist and advise on the curriculum development for technical training courses and special subject seminars at the newly established Technical Training and Transferring Centre.
- To transfer new findings and methods to farmer families by conducting training courses
- Development of new training material
- Collecting, developing and disseminating information and background material on small animal husbandry, fodder crops, aquaculture and renewable energies (biogas) for donors and incorporation in new training materials
- To obtain funding for setting up pilot farms and bio-gas units promoting and demonstrating the advantages of the VACRB model
Co-operation
- Initiating and maintaining liaison on behalf of VGRRC with regional institutions/agencies and identify opportunities for joint activities
- Obtaining co-financing with bilateral and multilateral aid agencies in and outside Vietnam through formulating, budgeting and submitting project proposals on behalf of VGRRC
Project's Contribution to Regional Development
The farmer families in the target area grow mainly rice and manioc so far. Through participation at the DED co-operation programme farmers maintain and increase the productivity of their farms without the need for externally purchased inputs, thus increasing their income and alleviating poverty. They generate income by selling rabbits, goat milk and meat. In addition, goat milk improves the diet, especially for children
Moreover, for subsistence farmers, animal nutrient recycling through manure allows access to energy for household use (biogas for cooking). Waste product (manure) is processed within the system and compensates for access to fertilizer. Contribution to the Conservation of Environment and Resources
Resource use within the VACRB type of mixed farming is highly self-reliant as nutrients and energy flow from crops to livestock and back. The closed system offers positive incentives to compensate for environmental effects, making it less damaging or more beneficial to natural resource base.
- Farmers are being encouraged to introduce goat keeping in semi-confinement (stable plus yard) to prevent damage to the environment, rather than allowing them to roam free.
- The cultivation of appropriate fodder plants (Leguminosae ssp. in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria) improves the soil-quality, reducing the need for additional fertilizer. In addition, fodder plants such as Flemingia congesta syn. macrophylla and Pennisetum ssp. are planted on deforested slopes and reduce soil erosion through run off.
- The use of bio-gas units and energy saving ovens decreases the amount of fuel-wood needed for cooking.
Photo Gallery VGRRC
Kooperation DED - VGRRC 2001 bis 2003.png)
