Many of Vietnamese agriculture advisors working closest to the farmers only received short training courses in few months – and agroforestry was not on the schedule. Therefore, ICRAF organized the very first training on the basics of agroforestry for 21 commune extension workers participating in the AFLI project.
The AFLI project aims to develop agroforestry systems for smallholder farmers aiming to reduce soil erosion and increase livelihoods in northwest Vietnam. The commune extension workers are the link between the farmer collaborators and the research partners.
“The commune extension workers are vital for this project.” Says Dr. Elisabeth Simelton, coordinator of the extension component in the project. “As much as this training aimed to develop capacity, it is equally essential that they get together and share their experiences.”
The three-day training at NOMAFSI’s field station in Mai Son, Son La province provided excellent grounds for visiting the coffee nursery and an introduction to grafting. The training also created a dynamic environment by mixing lectures with practical hands-on exercises.
Communication is an important part of extension and sometimes this involves creating one’s own material for farmers. Extension material is developed as part of the AFLI-project and the trainees’ opinions about the format, design, content and suitability will help the project team developing handbooks and information to extension workers and farmers. All agreed that farmers would prefer posters to booklets. The exercises were constructed so that the extension workers could use the same method when communicating with farmers. Using different tools such as paper & pen, a model made with soil or even a traditional conical hat, they described a local agroforestry system to the others.
“The extension workers were extremely active, they even ran out in the rain to collect specimens for building their agroforestry model.” smiles Ly Hong Nguyen who facilitated the training.
One challenge with the AFLI project has been explaining that is a research project rather than a development project. To highlight this, the trainees visited NOMAFSI’s project site where they discussed possible competition and interaction effects between the trees and crops in the system. It was a perfect opportunity to combine their experience and newly earned knowledge.
The highlight was perhaps the competition for the best contour line. Guided by ICRAF’s field technician Thuong Huu Pham, the teams constructed their own A-frames for laying out contours and designing an agroforestry system.
“The extension workers are my inspiration.” Says Elisabeth. “Their passion for their work is so contagious!”
This training is a first stepping-stone in that extension workers start recommending agroforestry systems as an alternative to monoculture crops or more mixed or advanced reforestation systems. The extension workers were already determined there would be more training.
“We rarely get to travel far.” says Nguyen Trong Dung, commune extension worker from Van Chan commune, Yen Bai province, “The first time we were in Yen Bai and we saw what the landscapes looks like. Next training we hope to go to Dien Bien province.”
Some video clips from the agroforestry models
