Synthesizing What Was Learned

November 6th began with an open forum session, facilitated by Dennis Garrity, ICRAF-SEA Regional Coordinator, to discuss and synthesize new knowledge and insights gained from the field visits and interactions among participants. Sustaining local organizations became one of the central themes of discussion. Participants from Vietnam and the Philippines exchanged ideas and experiences on how to support local organizations in conservation farming initiatives. Key points raised included the following:

• To strengthen local organizations, members should work together as much as possible, and also participate in social activities to build the spirit of camaraderie. Issues relevant to the group—such as conservation farming—as well as government policies should be discussed to keep members informed. This serves as a process of information dissemination.

• Terms of reference of the local organization should be clearly identified and articulated in order to attract more members as well as support and funding from donors.

• The enthusiasm of members should be kept high to sustain the organization, otherwise problems of sustainability may arise.

• There should also be support coming from the government— national down to the local authorities—to better sustain people's organizations. The support may be financial and/or political in nature.

• The organization should also have good relationships with other existing local, national or international partner organizations.

Moreover, the synthesis discussions addressed the queries of the Vietnamese participants on how the Claveria Landcare Association operates, and how it can be best adapted to Vietnamese conditions. The group focused on the question of which existing Vietnamese grassroots organizations to tap, or, if there is a need to create new organizations to serve purposes similar to that of the CLCA.

There was considerable discussion on the technology transfer process, with these key points raised:

• Linkages among NGOs, POs and GOs should be developed to support and empower existing organizations that may be tapped to promote conservation farming and Landcare in Vietnam.

• When transferring technologies, researchers, scientists and extension workers should have knowledge about the cultural differences of ethnic minority groups living in the community. They should also establish good working relationships with community leaders in order to support the technology adaptation process.

• Farmers, when adapting a technology, should give attention to the ecological, social and economic aspects.