1 Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Assessing the effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools for Implementation of Citrus IPM in Viet Nam CARD 036/04VIE Project Completion Report 2008 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Assessing the effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools for Implementation of Citrus IPM in Viet Nam Vietnamese Institution Plant Protection Department Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr Ho Van Chien Australian Organisation University of Western Sydney Australian Personnel Oleg Nicetic, Robert Spooner-Hart, Debbie Rae Date commenced February 2005 Completion date (original) February 2007 Completion date (revised) September 2007 Reporting period 2005-2006 Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Oleg Nicetic Telephone: +61245701329 Position: Research Officer Fax: +61245701103 Organisation University of Western Sydney Email: o.nicetic@uws.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Gar Jones Telephone: +6124736 0631 Position: Director, Research Services Fax: +6124736 0905 Organisation University of Western Sydney Email: g.jones@uws.edu.au In Vietnam Name: Mr Ho Van Chien Telephone: +8473834476 Position: Director Fax: +8473834477 Organisation Southern Regional Plant Protection Centre Email: hvchien@vnn.vn 2 2. Project Abstract 3. Executive Summary Citrus is an important fruit crop in Vietnam but the amount of fruit produced per hectare is much lower than in Australia or other major citrus producing countries. The aim of this project was to improve citrus production through better control of pests and diseases and improved management of citrus plantations. A baseline study showed that the estimated net profit per hectare of citrus varied between 30,000 and 130,000 VND. The area of citrus farms and the variety of citrus grown also varied considerably between provinces with mandarins returning the highest profits. The aims of the project were successfully achieved by increasing the capacity of the Vietnamese research and extension institutions to teach farmers more effective citriculture methods and by increasing the knowledge of the farmers involved in the project. The key learning model used in the project was Farmer Field Schools (FFS) with the schools providing a platform for a participatory based learning and action based research. Initially the key stakeholders developed a training program for extension workers, who trained in citrus integrated pest management (IPM) and developed a curriculum for FFS. The trainers then conducted FFS for a season incorporating adaptations for their particular regions during the course of the schools. At the end of the season review meetings were held in central locations to evaluate the FFS and make revisions to the training program and the FFS curriculum. Revisions in the second year included extending the duration of the FFS to include all the major stages of citrus growth and development by having less frequent FFS meetings and the focus of training was widened from IPM to include other aspect of citriculture including pruning, plant nutrition in particular production of compost, planning of rejuvenation of orchards, budgeting and planning for the production cycle. In the first year of the project 98 extension workers from 12 provinces were trained and they conducted 24 FFS from which 728 farmers graduated. In the second year of the project an additional 111 extension workers were trained and they conducted 48 FFS from which 1520 farmers graduated. In the first year of the project trainers from Can Tho developed 12 educational posters on major citrus pests and diseases. At the beginning of the second year of the project Citrus is an important fruit crop in Viet Nam but productivity and production are impeded by pests and diseases. Integrated pest management (IPM) is widely recognised as an effective and sustainable method of pest and disease control. Viet Nam has a well- developed National IPM program of farmer participatory training and research using Farmer Field Schools (FFS), which has trained more than 500,000 farmers in IPM technologies for rice, vegetable, cotton, tea, soybean, peanut, and sweet potato crops. Prior to this project few trainers had specific skills in citrus IPM. This project has greatly increased the Vietnamese capacity to train farmers in citrus IPM by training 209 extension workers in the Mekong Delta and the Central Coast regions. These extension workers subsequently facilitated a total of 72 FFS during 2005 and 2006 resulting in 2,245 farmers completing season long training in citrus IPM across 12 provinces. Assessment of the effectiveness of FFS demonstrated that farmers observed more beneficial organisms in their orchards, they adopted more IPM compatible pesticides, reduced their input costs and increased sharing of knowledge and experiences resulting in formation of cooperatives. The cost of FFS per participant represented around 1.6% of average net profit of surveyed farmers. 3 copies of these posters were printed on waterproof material for each FFS using additional funds provided by ACIAR. A book entitled “IPM on citrus-Ecological Guide” was also published at the end of the first year of the project and 1030 copies distributed to participating trainers and farmers. The book was so well received that an additional photocopied version of the book was produced and distributed to FFS participants. At the end of the project a second book entitled ‘Field guide for pest and diseases of citrus’ was published with 5030 copies being distributed to trainers and FFS participants. A survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of participating farmers conducted at the beginning and end of each FFS school showed that attitudes of farmers were influenced by participation in FFS. Their knowledge about pests and diseases significantly improved and the number of sprays applied decreased. At the end of the project an assessment of economic, social and environmental impacts was conducted using individual interviews of 53 farmers from 13 locations. This survey found that in the year following FFS, farmer practices changed considerably resulting in a reduction of pesticide use, change of type of pesticide used from broad spectrum pesticides with high negative environmental impacts to softer pesticides, better soil management with increased use of organic material and better canopy management. Farmers also increased their awareness about spray application, record keeping, post harvest and marketing. A majority of farmers claimed their net profits increased as a result of reduced financial inputs and increased yield and fruit quality. Participation in FFS increased mutual respect between FFS participants and facilitated the transition of farm management from men who had employment outside the farm, to their wives. The formation of cooperatives after completion of FFSs has been a very important first step in sustaining increased capacity of farming communities to improve citrus production after completion of FFSs. However, to sustain these benefits, farming groups need financial support with credit facilities enabling them to open post-harvest operations in order to improve market access. Maintenance of the network of trainers developed as result of this project requires continuing funding. Although this could initially be provided by provincial governments, the possibility that farmers contribute to the cost of FFS through a small levy or contribution should be considered in the future, especially if farmers are members of citrus clubs or cooperatives. The cost of FFS per participant was estimated at A$ 70.62, which was only 1.60% of the estimated average net profit per hectare. Based on these estimates the cost of FFS would be offset in just one season due to the reduction of inputs and increased yield. 4 4. Introduction & Background Citrus fruit is one of the major fruit crops in Vietnam (MARD 2004) and citrus production is an important source of income for many Vietnamese farmers. However, productivity and production of citrus in Vietnam is considerably lower than in Australia and major citrus producing countries of the world such as Brazil and the USA. It has been stated by MARD that “in general, citrus cultivation has not been significantly developed over the past few years, largely because of the serious damage of pests and diseases, especially greening disease (officially known as huanglongbing) and therefore studies on their control methods, in combination with managing citrus plantations and using advanced and intensive technology is a vital necessity” (MARD 2004). Background information about citrus production in the regions in which this project was conducted was collected as a part of baseline study and impact assessment using farmer surveys and interviews. From the information collected the average size of citrus orchards and farmers net income was estimated for each province. It was very difficult to verify farmers’ statements because farmers did not keep accurate records of inputs and outputs. However the interviewer did verify with each farmer that they talking about net income not total income. It was also verified with each group of farmers that the estimated net income represented the difference between total value of sold fruits and the costs of immediate inputs like fertilizer, pesticide, irrigation fees, cost of petrol used in production, cost of hired labour, cost of packaging and transportation to the market. In calculating net profit, farmers did not include costs of their own or family labour inputs, depreciation of equipment and orchard or interest they paid on loans taken to support production. The average size of citrus farms varied considerably between provinces and was largest in Kanh Hoa (Figure 1) Estimated net profit values was not related to farm size (Figure 2) and profitability varied between citrus species when averaged over provinces (Figure 3). There is a high degree of specialisation in the varieties of citrus grown within provinces in Vietnam, with farmers in Dong Thap almost exclusively growing mandarins (Tieu) and farmers in Nhge An provinces almost exclusively growing oranges. Pomelo is grown in a majority of provinces and the area planted has increased in the last decade. Different varieties of citrus provide very different returns to farmers. While the mean net profit averaged over citrus species and provinces was VND 78,620,000, farmers growing mandarins had the highest average net return of VND 100,000,000 followed by pomelo growers with VND 93,330,000 while farmers growing oranges only had an average profit of VND 37,880,000 (Figure 3). Not surprisingly the highest profits of over 100,000,000 VND were recorded in Tien Giang and Dong Thap provinces where mandarins are predominantly grown. Compared with the net profit from rice the net returns from citrus is 3 to 6 times higher. 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 Kanh Hoa Nghe An Ben Tre Tien Giang Dong Thap Tra Vinh Vinh Long Can Tho Soc Trang Province Average area of citrus plantation (ha) Figure 1: Average size of citrus farms for each of the provinces surveyed. 0 20,000,000 40,000,000 60,000,000 80,000,000 100,000,000 120,000,000 140,000,000 160,000,000 180,000,000 Kanh Hoa Nghe An Ben Tre Tien Giang Dong Thap Tra Vinh Vinh Long Can Tho Soc Trang Province Net profit (VND/ha/year) Figure 2: Estimated net income per hectare of citrus orchard for each of the provinces surveyed. 6 0 20,000,000 40,000,000 60,000,000 80,000,000 100,000,000 120,000,000 140,000,000 Mandarin Pomelo Orange Citrus species Net profit (VND/ha/year) Figure 3: Estimated net income per hectare averaged across all provinces surveyed for each of the three major citrus species. The objectives of the project were to conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) for extension workers in citrus IPM, for these trainers to conduct FFSs in their local region and to assess the effectiveness of the FFS model in increasing farmer knowledge. Key aspects of farmer knowledge that were targeted were an increased understanding of the orchard ecosystem, the influence of tree density and tree architecture on orchard productivity, the balance between organic and inorganic nutrients for maintaining soil health, the equilibrium between beneficial and pest arthropods, and optimising pesticide use in citriculture. These objectives have contributed to the empowerment of citrus farmers by enhancing their ability to make better-informed decisions about pest and disease management through the adoption of IPM strategies in citrus production in Viet Nam. With the establishment of a network of citrus IPM extension workers and these trainers gaining essential practical experience in citrus IPM training by holding at least one season long FFSs in citrus, the Vietnamese capacity to implement citrus IPM programs has been significantly enhanced. The key learning model used in the project was Farmer Field School (FFS). The FFS was used as a platform for a participatory based learning and action based research. The model has successfully engaged all stakeholders: farmers, extension workers, researchers, local government officials and private industry and allowed them to direct the learning and research to best meet their needs. An equally important aspect of the project was to assess the effectiveness of FFS in changing farmer practices and the economic, social and environmental impact of those changes. Although the methodologies for participatory based learning and action based research are well established, those for impact evaluation are still under development and as yet there is no agreed methodological framework. It is generally agreed however, that assessment of the FFS impact is complex because of the diversity of impact parameters and the different perspective held by stakeholders on what constitutes impact (van den Berg and Jiggins 2007). Assessments used in this project included self- 7 evaluation by farmers and self-evaluation by other project stakeholders in order to ensure that parameters evaluated were those that were most relevant to the primary stakeholders. Large sample sizes and triangulation (surveys, semi-structured interviews and field observations) were used to minimise bias. Impact was measured using a longitudinal comparison (e.g. a comparison before and after training). Impacts can sometimes be confounded by temporal variations such as differences in yield and market prices from year to year. To reduce the impact of temporal variation the impact study was performed across different regions, in 9 provinces and on different citrus species (oranges, mandarins and pomelo). 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights The key objective of this project was to increase the Vietnamese capacity to develop and implement citrus IPM strategies by conducting Training of Trainers (TOT) for extension workers in citrus IPM and these trainers then conducting FFSs in their local districts. The key objective was achieved through implementation of all the activities documented in the project contract, and the implementation of additional activities that were formulated through engagement and interactions between Vietnamese stakeholders during the course of the project. These additional activities significantly contributed to the positive impact on implementation and sustainability of the implemented project objectives. Details of project implementation are documented in the Milestone reports, and the major highlights are listed below. Project management highlights 1. Project planning meeting held on 25 January 2005 at which project milestones and deliverables were outlined. Agreement was reached on personnel that would undertake specific tasks and dates for implementation of the tasks were set. 2. Key stakeholder beneficiary meeting on 22 March 2005. The stakeholders meeting provided a stage for interface between stakeholders from research and extension institutions, private industry and NGOs. Representatives of institutions and private industry not originally included in the project participated at the stakeholder meeting and expressed their willingness to participate and support the project. At the meeting the locations of FFS were decided and the TOT program drafted. 3. The review workshops were held in Can Tho on the 23 November, My Tho on the 25 November and Vinh on the 29 November 2005. The review meetings were not planned or budgeted in the project proposal but during the course of the first season of FFSs it became clear that workshops that would provide the opportunity for stakeholders (including farmer representatives from FFSs) to evaluate the first season of FFSs and formulate changes to the curriculum were essential. To finance this activity sponsorship from Bayer Vietnam was secured. At these meetings the results of demonstration trials conducted by farmer in FFSs were reported by trainers, TOT and FFS training programs were evaluated, feedback provided and revisions to the TOT and FFS curriculum for 2006 were agreed on. 4. A stakeholder meeting was held at the Southern Regional Plant Protection Centre on Monday 9 January. At this meeting the TOT training program was adjusted to include more practical activities, the revised timing of FFS was agreed on and additional funding 8 provided by SK Energy from Korea and UWS was committed to provide extra resources to farmers. 5. Final review workshops sponsored by SK Energy were held on 27/11/06 in Can Tho, on 28/11/06 in My Tho and on 30/11/06 in Vinh. At the workshops results of the second season of FFSs were evaluated. The IPM strategies relevant for specific regions were formulated. Suggestions for the implementations of the “new” CARD project 037/06 VIE on GAP in citrus were noted. Training activities highlights 1. First TOT course for 2005 conducted from 18-29 April in SRPPC. Total of 47 extension workers from 12 provinces were trained. 2. Second TOT course for 2005 conducted from 9-20 May in SRPPC. Total of 51 extension workers from 12 provinces were trained. 3. Twenty-four FFSs commenced in 12 provinces at the end of May or early June 2005. 4. The additional activity of farmer study tours were conducted from the 24-29 October 2005 with a total of 540 farmers from 18 FFS in 8 provinces in the Mekong Delta visiting a FFS in another province. Farmers from seven provinces visited Lai Vung district in Dong Thap province and farmers from Lai Vung visited Cai Bei district in Tien Giang province (see Box 1). 5. FFSs were completed in late October to early November 2005. A total of 728 farmers were trained. 6. Significant changes in TOT and FFSs curriculum were made after the first season of FFSs. Focus was widened from IPM to other aspect of citriculture including pruning, plant nutrition in particular production of compost, planning of rejuvenation of orchards, budgeting and planning for the production cycle. The focus within IPM that was primarily on control strategies for citrus psillids-citrus greening diseases and mites was extended to include phytophthora disease on citrus. Personnel trained as part of CARD 052/04 VIE project “Management of Phytophthora diseases in Vietnamese Horticulture were included in our project. 7. First TOT course for 2006 was conducted from 13-26 February in SRPPC. Total of 45 extension workers from 9 provinces were trained. 8. Second TOT course for 2006 conducted from 27 February – 11 March. Total of 45 extension workers from 8 provinces were trained. 9. Third TOT course for 2006 conducted from 13-26 March. Total of 21 extension workers from 4 provinces were trained. 10. Forty-eight FFSs commenced between March and May 2006 in 11 provinces. The FFSs were conducted over a longer period of time covering all major phenological fazes of citrus trees from flowering to harvest. The FFSs were completed by the end of December 2006. A total of 1530 farmers were trained. Publication of reference material 1. During the first season of FFSs in 2005 trainers from Can Tho PPSD developed a set of 12 educational posters, 8 posters covering major pests on citrus and 4 posters covering the major diseases. Posters printed on waterproof plastic material were presented at the first review workshop in November 2005. The project management team evaluated posters and concluded that they could be a valuable teaching tool in FFS. In March 2006 9 posters were produced and distributed to each FFS held in 2006 (Fig. 10). Funds were provided from ACIAR (A$ 5,000) and UWS (A$ 3,000). 2. The book entitled “IPM on citrus-Ecological Guide” was published on 15/12/2005 and 1030 copies were distributed to all participating trainers and the majority of farmers in April 2006. The book was very well accepted and an additional photocopied version of the book or parts of the book were produced and distributed to FFS participants (Fig. 11). Residual funds from CARD pilot project on citrus (2001-2004) were used to cover the cost of printing. 3. The book entitled ‘Field guide for pest and diseases of citrus’ was published on 12/2/2007 and 5030 copies were distributed to trainers and FFS participants. 4. A leaflet that outlined IPM strategies for control of major pest and diseases of citrus was printed (10,000 copies) by Saigon Plant Protection Company (SPC) and distributed to participants of FFS and to ‘pesticide shops’ within distribution area of SPC. Publishing of the leaflet was a very important step in aligning recommendations and marketing efforts of pesticide producers with the recommendation of extension services. Assessment of FFSs effectiveness in implementation of IPM 1. Surveys and analysis of farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) were conducted in 2005 and 2006. A total of 1060 pre and post FFS attendance surveys from 530 farmers were analysed in 2005 and a total of 2118 pre and post FFS attendance surveys from 1059 farmers were analysed in 2006. 2. Australian and Vietnamese project personnel visited 16 FFS in 12 provinces from 1-19 June 2005 baseline data were collected and teaching demonstration trials implemented. 3. During participatory evaluation of the process at the end of the first year it was concluded that results of KAP analysis did not capture the essence of the FFSs impact on farmers and their community. The project team together with trainers then developed other assessments tools including semi-structured interviews and group discussion in an attempt to improve the assessment. 4. Australian and Vietnamese project personnel visited FFS in southern Vietnam and attended meetings at the Southern Regional Plant Protection Centre and Vinafruit in Ho Chi Minh City from 21-24 March 2006. 5. Australian and Vietnamese project personnel visited 10 FFS in 9 provinces from 13-24 June 2006 to collect baseline data for FFSs commenced in 2006 and assist with teaching demonstration trials implementation. 6. Australian and Vietnamese project personnel visited nine provinces were FFS were being conducted from 17-30 November 2006 and undertook an assessment of economic, social and environmental impacts using individual semi structured interviews and group discussion with farmers that gradated from FFSs at the end of 2005. The additional activity of evaluating each site for compliance with EUREP GAP was conducted in order to establish the difference between Vietnamese citrus farmer production practices and EUREP GAP requirements. 5.2 Smallholder Benefits The individual situation of small holders was investigated in detail in a farmer practice baseline study conducted at 16 FFS in June 2005 and 10 FFSs in Jun 2006, and during an assessment of economic, social and environmental impacts using individual interviews of 53 [...]... Required Performance Measures I Conduct training of Trainers (TOT) I Completion rate of commencing trainers for master trainers in citrus IPM II Master trainers conduct Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in their local region III Assess the effectiveness of the FFS model in increasing farmer knowledge in citrus IPM OUTPUTS I More than 200 competent citrus IPM Master Trainers II More than 2000 farmers with... total of 2,245 farmers successfully completed training in FFS Of these 2069 completed pre and post surveys, representing 92% of all farmers completing FFS as part of the project Results of pre 24 III Quantitative information on the beneficiaries of the project and the effectiveness of the FFS model in increasing farmer knowledge in citrus IPM ACTIVITIES attainment by farmers assessed using the participatory... Dong Thap Province and the meeting day to review of activities in the second year in Tien Giang Province 23 Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs Project Title: Assessing the effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools for Implementation of Citrus IPM in Viet Nam Vietnamese Implementing Institution: Plant Protection Department Narrative OBJECTIVES PROPOSAL Information Required... of focus groups and matrix scoring for all farmers III Findings on project beneficiaries and effectiveness of the FFS model in increasing farmer knowledge in citrus IPM published in an international journal I (i) Identification of regions within each of the 12 participating provinces to be targeted for the program I (ii) Selection of trainers from each targeted region to undertake master training in. .. resourcefulness In addition to coordinating the training of 209 trainers and successful completion of 72 FFS across 12 provinces during 2005 and 2006, Mr Ho Van Chien has initiated a range of activities outside the original scope of the project These include provision of hand lenses to all FFS, arrangement of study tours allowing farmers in the Mekong Delta to visit citrus farms in different provinces to their... trainers in the national IPM program are highly skilled and have great interest in gaining specific skills in citrus IPM In pilot FFS conducted in CARD 2.2 there was a very high level of interest from farmers A range of monitoring and evaluation techniques have been used in other crops in Vietnam and trainers are aware of gender and other social issues Risks are considered to be low because the farmer. .. immediately formed linkages with the project 052/04VIE “Management of phytophthora diseases in Vietnamese horticulture”, and Mr Duong Minh from Can Tho University conducted training sessions in each of the 3 TOT in 2006 In these sessions trainers learned about the problems of phytophthora in citrus and methods for effectively managing the disease Compost and Trichoderma was used in FFS trials and the use of. .. Company (the producer of mineral spray oil used in FFS) and PPD staff resulted in coordinated educational-marketing strategies that successfully introduced mineral spray oil to farmers As a result sales of oil increased from less than 10 metric tonnes at the beginning of the project to over 60 metric tonnes by the end of the project The use of mineral spray oil was one of the key strategies for control of. .. sharp increase in farmer s awareness of the importance of Asiatic citrus psyllid in transmission of citrus greening disease (huanglongbin) 13 5.3 Capacity Building This project has greatly enhanced the capacity of the PPD to facilitate farmer participatory training in citriculture and management of citrus pests and diseases Over the course of the project 209 extension workers undertook training conducted... scientists The level of competency of the trainers after completion of the training was assessed and shown in Table 1 Trainers subsequently facilitated 72 FFS in 12 provinces in the Mekong Delta and Central Coast regions of Viet Nam (Table 2) In 2006 additional 4 FFS were completely funded by the provincial government The participatory approach provided a framework within which the pluralism of ideas of the . Institute Information Project Name Assessing the effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools for Implementation of Citrus IPM in Viet Nam Vietnamese Institution Plant Protection Department Vietnamese. objectives of the project were to conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) for extension workers in citrus IPM, for these trainers to conduct FFSs in their local region and to assess the effectiveness of the. 1 Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Assessing the effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools for Implementation of Citrus IPM in Viet Nam CARD 036/04VIE