Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Project Progress Report 029/05VIE Implementation of the IPM program using weaver ants as a major component for cashew growers in Vietnam MS5: THIRD SIX-MONTHLY REPORT Renkang Peng, Keith Christian and La Pham Lan September 2007 Table of Contents Institute Information _ 2 Project Abstract _ 3 Executive Summary Introduction & Background _ Progress to Date _ 5.1 Implementation Highlights 5.2 Smallholder Benefits _ 5.3 Capacity Building _ 5.4 Publicity _ 5.5 Project Management _ Report on Cross-Cutting Issues _ 6.1 Environment _ 6.2 Gender and Social Issues _ Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints 7.2 Options 7.3 Sustainability 10 Next Critical Steps 10 Conclusion 10 10 11 Statuatory Declaration _ 10 Tables and appendix _13 1 Institute Information Project Name Implementation of the IPM program using weaver ants as a major component for cashew growers in Vietnam Vietnamese Institution Institute of Agricultural Science of South Vietnam Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr La Pham Lan Australian Organisation Charles Darwin University Australian Personnel Prof Keith Christian and Dr Renkang Peng Date commenced February 2006 Completion date (original) January 2009 Completion date (revised) Reporting period March 2007 – August 2007 Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Keith Christian Name: Professor Position: Organisation Charles Darwin University Telephone: Fax: Email: 61 89466706 61 89466847 keith.christian@cdu.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Jenny Carter Name: Research Manager Position: Organisation Charles Darwin University Telephone: Fax: Email: 61 08 89466708 61 89467199 jenny.carter@cdu.edu.au In Vietnam La Pham Lan Head of Plant Protection Department Organisation Institute of Agricultural Science of South Vietnam Name: Position: Telephone: Fax: 84 0913829560 84 8297650 Email: lphlan@yahoo.com 2 Project Abstract Cashew is a very important crop in Vietnam, and the government has designated cashew development as a national priority Productivity of cashew has increased since 2002, but the extensive use of pesticides has caused health problems to farmers, their animals and the environment The cashew IPM program using weaver ants as a key component developed at Charles Darwin University (CDU) does not use toxic insecticides, but results in high yield This project is to use the CDU cashew IPM to develop and implement a cashew IPM program that will work under Vietnamese conditions The proposed activities of the third months of the project have been achieved The first year TOT training at two training centres has been successfully completed The second year TOT training at the two training centres started in August 2007 A total of 56 trainees from main cashew-growing provinces have participated in the second TOT training Two demonstration orchards have been running well A FFS training program has been composed, and FFS training will be conducted from September 2007 The draft of the cashew IPM curriculum will be completed in December Selection of photos and graphs for the cashew IPM posters is in progress Executive Summary The proposed activities for the third months of the project have been achieved The first year TOT training was successfully completed in May 2007 The final training of the first year TOT training took place in May 2007 at both Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc training centres At the end of this training, we conducted an examination with 15 practical questions covering all training aspects and a class survey with questionnaires All trainees correctly answered the 15 practical questions The class survey showed that the trainees, in general, were satisfied with all the courses and practicals we delivered, especially the highest ranking courses In terms of the confidence in using cashew IPM methods, 54% of the trainees chose ‘confident’ and 46% chose ‘good’ For the confidence in opening FFSs, 8% of them chose ‘very confident’, 54% chose ‘confident’ and 38% chose ‘good’ The second year TOT training started in August 2007 We have selected 56 IPM trainers from cashew-growing provinces Based on our first year TOT training experience and the comments and suggestions from the first year TOT graduates, we have modified our training courses and training days for each course for the second year TOT training The first period of the second year TOT training was conducted from 20 to 26 August 2007 in Dong Nai training centre and from 23 to 29 August 2007 in Binh Phuoc training centre Under the supervision of TOT master trainers, the trainees were fully convinced by the field observations and field data collected by themselves in the demonstration orchard or in field surveys that weaver ants were effective in controlling the major cashew pests This has built up trainees’ interest in the cashew IPM training, and the trainees were also satisfied with our training methods In general, two demonstration orchards have been running well The results from last cashew season at Binh Phuoc site showed that the numbers of leaf and flower shoots were more in IPM plot than in farmer’s plot The flushing shoots damaged by each of the four main insect pests were similar to Farmer’s plot The nuts in IPM plot were cleaner and shiner than those in farmer’s plot This suggests that weaver ants are either better or similar to insecticide control The data analyses for Dong Nai demonstration orchard are in progress Although there was a hiccup with the demonstration orchard at Dong Nai province in July 2007, we have been offered another orchard owned by the same farmer to conduct our experiments for the TOT training We have used the same field design for this orchard as we had for the previous one Weaver ant colonies will be transplanted into the orchard in October 2007 FFS training will be started in September 2007 After completing the first year TOT training, with strong support from provincial sub-PPDs, the TOT graduates have been busy selecting cashew growers from all stakeholder groups in their local region to participate in FFSs, and to prepare teaching materials A FFS training program has been composed based on the extensive experience and discussion between TOT master trainers and TOT graduates The development of the cashew IPM curriculum and posters is progressing smoothly During this reporting period, the IPM curriculum development has concentrated on the data collection from regular monitoring of the demonstration orchards A total of 33 photos have been obtained for the preparation of cashew IPM posters The drafts of the curriculum and the posters will be ready for comments and suggestions in December 2007 The training report of the first period of the second year TOT training is attached as Appendix Introduction & Background The aims of this project are to increase cashew yield and improve nut quality by using weaver ants and by using no toxic insecticides Specific objectives are (1) to conduct TOT training in cashew IPM for TOT trainers to conduct FFSs in their local region, (2) to develop an IPM cashew curriculum and a series of illustrative posters that will work in Vietnamese conditions based on the cashew IPM programs developed in Australia and (3) to assess the effectiveness of the FFS model in increasing farmer knowledge and reducing pesticide use in cashew production The project expects to result in 120 TOT cashew IPM trainers from eight major cashew growing provinces and 3750 cashew farmers educated in cashew FFSs A practical guide for cashew IPM and a series of illustrative posters will be developed The effectiveness of FFS in enhancing farmer knowledge in cashew cultivation will be assessed The project will concentrate on (1) the use of the farmer participatory training and research program, involving TOT and FFSs and (2) the development of a cashew IPM curriculum and illustrative posters based on field monitoring, observations and experiments by field experimentalists, TOT trainees and FFS participants The implementation methods include establishment of demonstration orchards for TOT courses, the TOT and FFS training, the development of a cashew IPM curriculum and IPM posters, and the community baseline surveys A total of major cashew-growing provinces, which have 300,700 of cashew, accounting for 86% of the total cashew areas in Vietnam will be targeted Progress to Date Based on our logframe, this report will cover activities I (Conduct TOT courses in cashew IPM), II (TOT trainers conducting FFS in their local region), III (Development of cashew IPM curriculum) and IV (Development of illustrative cashew IPM posters) of our project proposal The following is the progress against each of the proposed activities 5.1 Implementation Highlights (Activity 1) Activity I has three aspects: (i) Identification of regions within each of the participating provinces to be targeted for the program, (ii) Selection of IPM trainers from each targeted region to undertake TOT training in cashew IPM, and (iii) TOT training in cashew IPM I (i) Identification of regions within each of the participating provinces to be targeted for the program A total of 30 cashew-growing regions, each of which consists of several villages, from main cashew growing provinces (two more provinces than we initially proposed) for the FFS training have been identified The detailed information is given in our first 6-monthly report I (ii) Selection of IPM trainers from each targeted region to undertake TOT training in cashew IPM For the first year TOT training, we selected 56 IPM trainers from sub-PPDs (see our first 6-monthly report for detail) For the second year TOT training, we have selected 56 IPM trainers from cashew-growing provinces to undertake TOT training in cashew IPM (Table 1) Due to strong requests from sub-PPDs of Tra Vinh and Tay Ninh provinces, we have selected some IPM trainers from these two provinces for this cashew IPM training I (iii) TOT training in cashew IPM During this reporting period from February 2007 to August 2007, we conducted the final training of the first year TOT training and the first period training of the second year TOT training as planned The final training of the first year TOT training took place in May 2007 at both Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc training centres This training occurred during the period of late cashew harvest season, and so, the training concentrated on cashew harvest, the use of weaver ants in farmer’s orchards, summarisation of the IPM methods for different cashew growing periods, communication skills and activation methods in class The courses we delivered are tabulated in Table The TOT Trainees were interested in the courses and practicals At the end of this training, to examine the TOT trainee’s knowledge in cashew IPM and to get their feedback for the courses and the practicals we delivered, we conducted an examination with 15 practical questions covering all training aspects and a class survey with questionnaires about 15 courses and the confidence of trainees in using cashew IPM methods and in opening FFSs All trainees correctly answered the 15 practical questions In the class survey, we set up rank scales (1 = very satisfactory, = satisfactory, = good, = unsatisfactory and = very unsatisfactory) for each category of each course (Appendix 1) The results showed that the trainees ranked all the courses ‘satisfactory’ or ‘good’, especially the highest ranking courses These courses are ‘Natural enemies and their conservation’, ‘The effect of weaver ants on the main cashew insect pests’, ‘The biology of weaver ants’, ‘The IPM principles’, and ‘Skills of communication and activation in class’ (Appendix 1) None of the courses are ranked at ‘unsatisfactory’ or ‘very unsatisfactory’ In terms of the confidence in using cashew IPM methods, 54% of the trainees chose ‘confident’ and 46% chose ‘good’ For the confidence in opening FFSs, 8% of them chose ‘very confident’, 54% chose ‘confident’ and 38% chose ‘good’ In addition to these, we have received some important comments and suggestions from the TOT trainees, and these include (1) more practice is needed for each course, (2) some topics overlap between courses, (3) more time is needed for the course of communication skills, and (4) the effect of pesticides on human health and the environment should be given in the course of ‘The use of pesticides’ In conclusion, although two training periods were delayed due to the brown leafhopper outbreak in rice field (see our second 6-monthly report for the reason), our first year TOT training is successful Based on our first year TOT training experience and the comments and suggestions from the first year TOT trainees, we have modified our training courses and training days for each course for the second year TOT training (Table 3) The first period of the second year TOT training was conducted from 20 to 26 August 2007 in the Dong Nai training centre and from 23 to 29 August 2007 in the Binh Phuoc training centre This training concentrated on three aspects: the main cashew insect pests and their natural enemies by emphasizing the role of weaver ants in cashew orchards, integrated pest management principles and general cashew cultivation including the use of fertilizers and pesticides (Table 4, also see Appendix for the training report) The trainees were fully convinced by the field observations and field data collected by themselves in the demonstration orchard, showing that weaver ants were very effective in controlling the major cashew pests of shoot borers and coreid bugs (the major pests at this time of year) Course teachers demonstrated the results based on the regular monitoring data in the Binh Phuoc demonstration orchard over the last cropping season, showing that the weaver ant plot achieved better or similar results to the insecticide plot (farmer’s plot) in terms of the number of foliar and floral flushing shoots and the flushing shoots damaged by the tea mosquito bug, the shoot borer, the fruit borer and the aphid These results, plus their own observations, have built up trainees’ interest in the cashew IPM training Trainees were also interested in the courses related to IPM principles and general cashew cultivation They were satisfied with our training methods as well Management of demonstration orchards In general, two demonstration orchards have been running well After weaver ant colonies were transplanted in late November 2006 in the Binh Phuoc demonstration orchard, regular monitoring on the abundance of weaver ants and the main insect pests between the IPM plot and the farmer’s plot has been progressing smoothly The results from last cashew season were interesting, and are shown in Table It shows that the numbers of leaf and flower shoots are more in IPM plot than in farmer’s plot The % flushing shoots damaged by each of the four main insect pests (shoot borers, tea mosquito bugs, aphids and leaf miners) are lower in the IPM plot, but statistically there are no differences between the IPM plot and the Farmer’s plot (Table 5) In addition to this, the farmer said that the nuts in IPM plot were cleaner and shiner than those in his plot This suggests that weaver ants are either better or similar to insecticide control in terms of overall tree performance and the main insect pest damage In Dong Nai demonstration orchard, weaver ant colonies were transplanted into the IPM plot in early December 2006 Regular monitoring on the main insect pests between the IPM plot and the farmer’s plot and the abundance of weaver ants progressed smoothly over the last cashew season (from October 2006 to July 2007), and the data analyses are in progress However, after the first year contract was due in mid July 2007, the farmer turned a part of the IPM plot into an animal bone processing mill without notifying us This caused a lot of problems to the IPM plot, and the regular monitoring was forced to stop After extensive negotiation with the farmer, he has allowed us to use another orchard (1.5 ha) of his as our demonstration orchard We have made a two-year contract with him this time The experimental trees have been pruned and fertilized properly Weaver ant colonies will be transplanted into the IPM plot in October, and then a regular monitoring program will start 5.1 Implementation Highlights (Activity II) The activity II is for the first year TOT graduates to conduct FFS in their local region During the final period of the first year TOT training, a FFS training program was made based on the extensive experience and discussion between TOT master trainers and TOT trainees This program consists of parts (Appendix 3) Part is how to select and manage a demonstration orchard, part is the frequency of FFS training, part is the training topics during each cashew developmental period, and part is to provide detailed information about each training topic (Appendix 3) After completing the first year TOT training, with strong support from provincial sub-PPDs, the TOT graduates have been busy selecting cashew growers from all stakeholder groups in their local region to participate in FFS, and to prepare teaching materials Based on the information from sub-PPDs, FFSs will be started in September 2007 The progress of the FFS activity will be reported in our next 6-monthly report 5.1 Implementation Highlights (Activity III) The activity III is the progress of the IPM curriculum development The development of cashew IPM curriculum is progressing smoothly It has mainly concentrated on the data collection from regular monitoring of the IPM plots and farmer’s plots during the period of monsoon flush (III (i)), pre-flowering and fruiting flush (III (ii)) and cashew harvest (III (iii)) The results from the data collected at Binh Phuoc demonstration orchard during the flowering and fruiting periods of the last cropping season are shown in Table These results will be included in the cashew IPM curriculum The data analyses for the Dong Nai demonstration orchard are still in progress In addition to this, we have also collected some more data from field observations and laboratory rearing for the following chapters of the cashew IPM curriculum during the period of cashew pre-flowering and flowering flush: - The main cashew insect pests and diseases, and - Common natural enemies 5.1 Implementation Highlights (Activity IV) Activity IV is the development of cashew IPM posters Photos, diagrams and graphs from field surveys, monitoring, observations and experiments conducted in demonstration orchards have been reported for the cashew monsoon flush (IV(i)) (see our first 6-monthly report) and for the cashew pre-flowering and flowering flush (IV (ii)) (see our second 6-monthly report) During this reporting period (February – August 2007), which was the period of cashew harvest and post harvest flush (IV (iii)), a total of 33 photos have been obtained for the preparation of cashew IPM posters; 19 of insect pests and their damage, of natural enemies, of mutual relationship between weaver ants and aphids and of weaver ants preying on insect pests A detailed selection of the photos for the posters is in progress 5.2 Smallholder Benefits Based on our baseline survey, the expected benefits for smallholder from this project have been described in our first 6-monthly report Compared to his plot, the owner of Binh Phuoc demonstration orchard is happy with the results from the IPM plot because of better quality of nuts and no insecticide spray We believe that when FFSs start in September 2007, more smallholder benefits from this project will gradually emerge 5.3 Capacity Building Dr Peng went to Vietnam in August 2007 to open the second year TOT training, to deliver two courses ‘Cashew insect pests and their natural enemies’ and ‘The effect of weaver ants on the main cashew insect pests’ for the TOT trainees and to inspect the general management of the transferred weaver ant colonies in demonstration orchards The results showed that Dr Peng’s courses have already attracted the TOT trainees’ interest in using weaver ants to control the main cashew pests For keeping weaver ant population stable, Dr Peng demonstrated the techniques for IAS staff to check weaver ant colony boundaries and how to feed the ants when cashew trees are dormant Now, IAS project staff have obtained a complete overview of the ant technology including orchard preparation, controlling of competitive species of ants, identification of weaver ant colonies, transplantation of the ants into cashew orchards, and management and maintenance of the weaver ant colonies Under the supervision of Dr Peng, they have also gained extensive experience in the assessment of weaver ant abundance In his last two visits to Vietnam, with the contribution from Mr Chien, Dr Peng has worked out a control strategy (weaver ants, pruning and light-trapping) to manage the branch borer that has been one of the major concerns by all cashew growers in Vietnam He has already passed this knowledge to IAS project staff 5.4 Publicity The project activities including TOT training have been reported by local media and agricultural News Papers of Vietnam AusAID and MARD logos have been displayed in all our activities 5.5 Project Management The project leader Mr Lan, is in charge of Vietnamese personnel and expenses of the project He will be also managing two training centres and the demonstration orchards with the help from two experimentalists Professor Keith Christian and Dr Renkang Peng are responsible for the overall coordination of the project and will meet reporting requirements with input from Vietnamese personnel as required Dr Peng has been monitoring all the activities of the project, and he is also responsible for checking the progress of the IPM program implementation, for the part of the TOT training and for the field data analyses Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment According to our baseline survey, the use of pesticides has already caused a negative effect on cashew farmers’ health, farm animals and the environment, as reported in our first 6-monthly report Significant improvement of the environment and farmers’ health will be achieved by implementing this cashew IPM program For example, after we transplanted weaver ant colonies into our demonstration orchards in November 2006, we did not use any pesticides during the period of cashew flowering and fruiting The orchard owners told us that cashew nuts produced in the IPM plot were shiny and cleaner than the nuts produced in their own managed plot They believe that the cashew IPM program will certainly improve their health and the farming environment 6.2 Gender and Social Issues According to our baseline survey, women already play a very important part in cashew production About 40% of labour was provided by women in orchard management, including weeding, pruning, fertilizing, spraying, harvesting, etc Because the weaver ant technology is not physically strenuous, and it does not involve toxic insecticide spray, its adoption could further promote women’s participation in smallholder’s cashew production Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints Since Mr Lan becomes the Project Leader, the communication between CDU project staff and Vietnamese project personnel has been improving 7.2 Options Not applicable for this report 7.3 Sustainability Sustainability of cashew production in Vietnam is the focus of this project All the objectives, approaches, implementation methods and the training program are linked with this issue During the first year TOT training and the first training period of the second year TOT training, with the results from their own field surveys and from the demonstration orchards, we have already satisfied the TOT trainees that using weaver ants as a major component to manage cashew insect pests is effective This is a significant step forward towards cashew production sustainability in the future Next Critical Steps The following are our next critical activities for the next six-month period: Manage the demonstration orchards, Continue the second year TOT training, Conduct FFS training in eight cashew growing provinces by the first year TOT graduates, Complete the draft of the cashew IPM curriculum, and Complete the draft of the cashew IPM posters Conclusion The proposed activities for the third months of the project have been achieved The first year TOT training was successfully completed in May 2007 The final training of the first year TOT training took place in May 2007 at both Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc training centres At the end of this training, we conducted an examination with 15 practical questions covering all training aspects and a class survey with questionnaires All trainees correctly answered the 15 practical questions The class survey showed that the trainees, in general, were satisfactory with all the courses we delivered, especially the highest ranking courses They are all able to use cashew IPM methods appropriately, and they have confidence in opening FFS The second year TOT training started in August 2007 We have selected 56 IPM trainers from cashew-growing provinces Based on our first year TOT training experience and the comments and suggestions from the first year TOT graduates, we have modified our training courses and training days for each course for the second year TOT training The first period of the second year TOT training was conducted from 20 to 26 August 2007 in Dong Nai training centre and from 23 to 29 August 2007 in Binh Phuoc training centre Under the supervision of TOT master trainers, the trainees were fully convinced by the field observations and field data collected by themselves in the demonstration orchard or in field surveys that weaver ants were effective in controlling the major cashew pests This has built up trainees’ interest in the cashew IPM training, and the trainees were also satisfied with our training methods In general, two demonstration orchards have been running well The results from last cashew season at Binh Phuoc site suggest that weaver ants are either better or similar to insecticide control The data analyses for Dong Nai demonstration orchard are in progress 10 FFS training will be started in September 2007 After the first year TOT trainees graduated, with strong support from provincial sub-PPDs, they have been busy selecting cashew growers from all stakeholder groups in their local region to participate in FFS, and to prepare teaching materials A FFS training program has been composed based on the extensive experience and discussion between TOT master trainers and TOT graduates The development of the cashew IPM curriculum and posters is progressing smoothly During this reporting period, the IPM curriculum development has concentrated on the data collection from the regular monitoring of the demonstration orchards A total of 33 photos have been obtained for the preparation of cashew IPM posters The drafts of the curriculum and the posters will be ready for comments and suggestions in December 2007 A training report for the first period of the second year TOT training is attached as Appendix 11 11 Tables and Appendix Table Number of the second year TOT trainees in each of the cashew-growing provinces in Vietnam Province Number of trainees Binh Phuoc Dak Lak Dak Nong Binh Duong Dong Nai Binh Thuan Ba Ria Vung Tau Tay Ninh Tra Vinh Total 56 Table Training courses and course teachers in the final period of the first year TOT training Course name Harvest Summarisation of using weaver ants in farmers’ orchards Summarization of the IPM methods for different cashew growing periods (a check list provided) Communication skills Activation of class A small test (15 questions) A class survey Close ceremony Course teacher Mr Tu Mr Lan and Dr Peng Mr Lan and Dr Peng Mrs Lan Mrs Sau Mr Lan Mr Lan and Dr Peng Mr Lan, etc Table Training topics, topic teachers and training frequency for the second year TOT training Topic code T1 Title of the topic Topic teacher General cashew cultivation Mr Binh Training frequency T2 Practice on cashew cultivation including harvest Application of fertilizers and micro nutrients Cashew diseases and their control Cashew insect pests and their natural enemies Effect of weaver ants on the main cashew insect pests Problems of using weaver ants Mr Binh and Mr Tu Mr Hien and Dr Binh Mr Quang Mr Lan and Dr Peng Dr Peng, Mr Lan and Mr Binh Mr Lan and DR Peng T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 12 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14 and their solutions How to use weaver ants Biology of weaver ants Dr Peng and Mr Lan Dr Cuc, Dr Peng and Mr Lan Main results from the Dr Peng, Mr Lan and Mr demonstration orchards Binh Cashew IPM finalization Mr Lan and Dr Peng IPM principles Dr Cuc Chemical use in the IPM system Dr Hai and the effect of chemicals on human beings and the environment Skills of communication with Mrs Sau and Mrs Lan people (mainly farmers) 1 1 Table Training courses and course teachers in the first period of the second year TOT training Course name Cashew insect pests and their natural enemies The effect of weaver ants on the main cashew insect pests General cashew cultivation including the use of fertilizers and insecticides IPM principles Course teacher Dr Peng, Mr Lan and Mr Binh Dr Peng, Mr Lan and Mr Binh Mr Binh, Mr Hien and Dr Hai Dr Cuc Table The number of flushing shoots and % shoots damaged by the main insect pests between Farmer’s plot and the IPM plot at Binh Phuoc site, December 2006 – April 2007 Category Farmer’s plot IPM plot Number of flushing 69.7 + 27.1 shoots /unit sample Shoot borer (%) 9.3 + 6.0 77.0 + 29.7 Tea mosquito bug (%) Leaf miners (%) 9.3 + 7.8 6.1 + 2.3 2.2 + 1.6 1.9 + 1.4 Aphids (%) 12.6 + 11.1 11.2 + 11.4 7.0 + 4.3 Friedman two-way ANOVA X2t = 4.500; df = 2; P = 0.034 X2t = 0.500; df = 2; P = 0.480 X2t = 2.000; df = 2; P = 0.157 X2t = 0.500; df = 2; P = 0.480 X2t = 0.125; df = 2; P = 0.724 13 Appendix Results of the first year TOT trainees’ survey based on 50 (out of 56) trainees answering sheets at the end of the training, May 2007 A Evaluation of courses and their practicals Course name: General introduction of cashew production, cashew botany & variety selection Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 2.1 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.4 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.3 Comments on practice 2.9 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.9 Amount of time for field practice 3.1 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.9 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory Course name: Cashew cultivation Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 2.0 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.4 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.5 Comments on practice 2.9 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.8 Amount of time for field practice 3.0 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.8 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory Course name: Application of fertilizers and micro nutrients Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 2.1 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.4 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.4 Comments on practice 3.0 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.6 Amount of time for field practice 3.1 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.9 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory 14 Course name: Cashew diseases and their control Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 2.0 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.7 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.4 Comments on practice 2.9 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.9 Amount of time for field practice 3.0 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.8 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory Course name: Cashew insect pests and their control Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 1.8 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.2 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.3 Comments on practice 2.7 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.6 Amount of time for field practice 2.8 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.6 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory Course name: Natural enemies and their conservation Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 1.8 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.1 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.0 Comments on practice 2.5 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.5 Amount of time for field practice 2.6 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.4 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory Course name: Effect of weaver ants on the main cashew insect pests Category* Comments on course contents Comments on teaching and discussion methods Usefulness in cashew orchard management Comments on practice Amount of time for teaching & discussion Amount of time for field practice Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge Average ranks 1.5 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.6 2.4 15 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory Course name: How to use weaver ants in cashew orchards Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 1.7 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.2 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.1 Comments on practice 2.5 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.5 Amount of time for field practice 2.7 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.5 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory Course name: Problems of using weaver ants and their solutions Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 1.8 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.3 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.3 Comments on practice 2.7 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.5 Amount of time for field practice 2.8 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.6 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory 10 Course name: Biology of weaver ants Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 1.7 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.1 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.2 Comments on practice 2.5 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.3 Amount of time for field practice 2.5 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.4 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory 11 Course name: IPM principles Category* Comments on course contents Comments on teaching and discussion methods Usefulness in cashew orchard management Comments on practice Average ranks 1.5 2.0 2.1 2.6 16 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.3 Amount of time for field practice 2.6 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.4 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory 12 Course name: Farmer`s experience in using weaver ants Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 2.2 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.6 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.6 Comments on practice 3.1 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.9 Amount of time for field practice 3.2 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.8 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory 13 Course name: Pesticide use in the IPM system Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 2.0 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.3 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.3 Comments on practice 2.9 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.5 Amount of time for field practice 2.9 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.5 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory 14 Course name: Techniques of using petroleum spray oils Category* Average ranks Comments on course contents 1.9 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.3 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.3 Comments on practice 3.0 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.6 Amount of time for field practice 3.1 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.7 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory 15 Course name: Skills of communication and activation of class Category* Comments on course contents Average ranks 1.7 17 Comments on teaching and discussion methods 2.1 Usefulness in cashew orchard management 2.2 Comments on practice 2.4 Amount of time for teaching & discussion 2.4 Amount of time for field practice 2.5 Balance of theoretical and practical knowledge 2.3 *: = Very satisfactory; = Satisfactory; = Good; = unsatisfactory; = very unsatisfactory B Confidence in using cashew IPM methods in farmers’ orchards (%) (%) 0.0 (%) 54.0 (%) 46.0 (%) 0.0 0.0 = very confident; = confident; = good; = less confident; = not confident C Confidence in opening FFS after this TOT training (%) (%) 8.0 (%) 54.0 (%) 38.0 (%) 0.0 0.0 = very confident; = confident; = good; = less confident; = not confident 18 Appendix Training report on the first period of the second year TOT training (August 2007) The first period of the second TOT training was conducted from 20 to 26 August 2007 in the Dong Nai training centre and from 23 to 29 August 2007 in the Binh Phuoc training centre Trainees were very interested in the training courses and practicals, and they are satisfied with our training methods This training periods concentrated on four courses: the main cashew insect pests and their natural enemies, the effect of weaver ants on the main cashew insect pests, general cashew cultivation including the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and integrated pest management principles (Table 4) Course Cashew insect pests and their natural enemies Course The effect of weaver ants on the main cashew insect pests Theses two courses, together with field practices, were conducted by Dr Peng and interpreted by Mr Lan and Mr Binh The aims of the courses were: (1) to enhance the trainees’ knowledge about the insect role in cashew orchards, (2) to make them aware of the existence and the role of natural enemies (especially weaver ants) on cashew trees, and (3) to provide them with information about the advantages and disadvantages of using weaver ants to control the main cashew insect pests The courses consisted of a series of activities, which included collection of insects in cashew orchards, identification of pests and natural enemies, observation of weaver ant foraging behaviour, and field surveys of the control efficiency of weaver ants on the major cashew insect pests The trainees were fully convinced by the field data collected by themselves in our demonstration orchard and by field observations showing that weaver ants were very effective in controlling the most important cashew pests of shoot borers and the coreid bug (the most important pests at this time of year) Therefore, the first period of training has already built-up the trainees’ confidence in using weaver ants as a major component to control the main cashew insect pests For most trainees, these courses were the first time they have had opportunities to see a range of cashew pests It is worthwhile mentioning that at the end of this training, all the trainees who own cashew orchards wish to use weaver ants in their orchards as soon as possible For those who not have cashew orchards, they believe that farmers will certainly gain a lot of benefits if they start using weaver ants in their orchards Course General cashew cultivation This course and its practicals were delivered by Mr Binh, Mr Hien and Dr Hai The main objectives of the course were to let the trainees (1) understand the present cashew production and its constraints in Vietnam, (2) become familiar with the structure of the cashew ecosystem , (3) understand the cashew botany, and 19 (4) learn general cashew cultivation skills The course ran smoothly with the activities related to the following: physical factors required by cashew trees, the effect of growing densities on tree performance, the establishment of cashew orchards, the basic farming skills to manage cashew orchards, cashew variety selection, the principles of fertilizer application and the appropriate use of insecticides For insecticide use, the course teacher gave trainees information about characteristics of various groups of pesticides and pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of each group in relation to the effectiveness to the pests and influences on the environment We particularly introduced a range of soft chemicals which are compatible with the cashew IPM and showed TOT trainees when and how to use these chemicals to control specific pests without harm to weaver ants or the environment Throughout this course training, TOT trainees have gained extensive knowledge about the effect of physical factors in the cashew agroecosystem, the mutual relationships among cashews, animals and humans in cashew orchards, and up-to-date cashew cultivation techniques, especially variety selection and pruning skills Trainees were interested in these topics, and they expressed the desire to practise these methods by themselves Course Integrated pest management (IPM) principles From the ecosystem point of view, this course enables trainees to understand how to successfully use various kinds of ecologically sound methods integratively to minimize the damage on cashew trees by pests and to maximize the cashew production The course covers three major topics: what the IPM is, why apply the IPM in agricultural crops, and how to use the IPM in cashew orchards Based on the information of current cashew cultivation practices in Vietnam, which was obtained from our baseline survey in eight main cashew growing provinces (see our baseline survey report for detail), the inappropriate use of agricultural chemicals has already caused health problems in farmers and their animals, and problems with the environment To resolve these problems, we highlighted the importance of the stability and balance of agro-ecosystems, introduced the definition and strategies of the IPM, and used existing models in the literature as examples to show how the combined methods in the models work with related agro-ecosystems In the last topic, we fully demonstrated our IPM model in cashew plantations We divided a year into several periods according to cashew phenology in Vietnam and the data obtained in our demonstration orchards During each period, we introduced a list of various types of management methods and showed how to use these combined methods in cashew orchards This topic was extensively discussed by trainees based on their knowledge gained in this TOT training and the data collected from the demonstration orchards and field surveys 20 Appendix Farmer Field School Training Program Part Selection of demonstration orchard a Site selection Within a farmer’s orchard, chose a small group of trees (8 – 10) with a weaver ant colony and also chose the same number of trees without weaver ants as a comparison b Trees with weaver ants will be managed by the IPM program and trees without the ants will be managed by the farmer as they normally c The farmer will be responsible for the maintenance of these trees during the period of the FFS Part Frequency of farmer field school training Cashew tree development Month Frequency During tree dormancy period During pre-flowering flush September October – mid November Mid NovemberJanuary February - April Twice / month Twice / month No training 2 Twice / month Once / month Flowering and fruiting Fruiting and Harvesting Part of General training content during each cashew developmental stage Cashew phonology Month IPM management - Monitoring and management of weaver ant Dormancy or leaf June colonies for pest control; flush (the wet September Monitoring of the main insect pests and season) diseases; Controlling of stem and branch borer; Pruning; Fertilizing; Weeding; Propagation; Transplanting of young trees; Mulching or intercropping; 10 Compost making; Pre-flowering flush September – Management of weaver ants for pest control; (beginning of the dry mid October Monitoring of the main insect pests and diseases; season) Fertilizing and/or Micro-nutrient application; Weeding; 21 Flowering, nut November – Management of weaver ants for pest control; Monitoring of the main insect pests and setting and fruiting January diseases; (the dry season) Spot-spraying of soft chemicals to control scales and mealy bugs if needed; Spraying of fungicides to control diseases if needed; Irrigation if applicable; Micro-nutrient application if needed Harvest and post February – Management of weaver ants for pest control; Cleaning of weeds and grass at the tree base harvest (late dry April to promote harvest; season and Collecting nuts as frequently as possible; beginning of the wet Drying and storing; season) Part Detailed information for each training topic Monitoring and management of weaver ant colonies for pest control a The control efficiency of weaver ants on the main cashew pests b Transplantation of one big weaver ant colony into an orchard a Baiting competitive ants on cashew trees b Identify a weaver ant colony c Collect all the nests of the colony into plastic bags d Release the ants into cashew trees (put the colony in one corner of the orchard) e Link all the cashew trees within a colony with polystrings or something similar f Provide food for the ants if cashew trees are not flushing c Make a simple map of the orchard showing trees with weaver ants d Regular monitoring (once/ month during tree dormancy period, and once/2 weeks during flushing and flowering period) and following and managing the dispersal pattern of each colony e Feed the ants if cashew trees are not flushing (eg during the wet season) Monitoring and management of the main insect pests and diseases a Identify the main pests and diseases b Identify their damage symptoms c Assess the damage levels for the major pest by recording the damage symptoms d Decision of appropriate control methods a Spray indicator (eg - 10% shoots damaged) b Use of suitable pesticides which not kill weaver ants (eg applaud, D.C Tron oils, neem extraction solutions, etc.) c Methods of spray (cover spray, spot spray, time of spray) e Take care of toxicity caused by horticultural spraying oils Controlling stem and branch borers 22 a Use of light traps to kill adults (Set out light traps between April and June to trap branch borer adults) b Detection of early damage symptoms of stem and branch borers on young and old trees c Treatment of early damaged parts on trees a For stem borers, scrape off all the damaged material on the tree trunk including larvae and pupae, and then use appropriate chemicals to paint on the affected parts b For branch borers, prune mature shoots with the damage symptoms during the period of July and August, and destroy the pruned shoots For old damage on branches, follow boring holes from the top of branch downwards and determine the last hole along the branch, and then inject contact-killing insecticides into the hole with a syringe before blocking the hole with a bit of cotton Pruning a b c d Pruning principles (what kinds of branches and twigs need to be pruned) Pruning time Pruning tools (use of saws, rather than knife) Pruned branches and twigs should be put under the base of each tree for a few days to allow weaver ants to walk back to the tree Fertilizing and micro nutrients a Time and amount of using fertilizers based on tree age and tree performance b Time and amount of using micro nutrients based on tree age and flowering time c Choose suitable fertilizers and micro-nutrients d Application methods (eg for fertilizers, dig a trench around the edge of tree canopy, and then put fertilizers in before covering it with soil) Harvest a Cleaning of weeds and grass at the tree base to promote harvest b Collecting nuts as frequently as possible c Drying and storing 23 ... undertake TOT training in cashew IPM, and (iii) TOT training in cashew IPM I (i) Identification of regions within each of the participating provinces to be targeted for the program A total of 30 cashew- growing... Institute Information Project Name Implementation of the IPM program using weaver ants as a major component for cashew growers in Vietnam Vietnamese Institution Institute of Agricultural Science of. .. and IPM posters, and the community baseline surveys A total of major cashew- growing provinces, which have 300,700 of cashew, accounting for 86% of the total cashew areas in Vietnam will be targeted