ADDA VIETNAM

The Community Development Project, phase II: GMB (Group Management Board) training course

The project titled "Community Development among Ethnic Minorities in Northern Vietnam" phase 2 (so-called The community Development Project, phase II) has been implemented by Vietnam Farmers' Union in 06 northern provinces of Vietnam of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Ha Tinh, Hoa Binh and Nghe An under the auspices of ADDA since April 2010. Up to now, the project has supported to establish 420 farmer groups and conducted 628 farmer field schools (FFS) on various topics of vegetable, maize and maize-adaptation to climate change at 584 villages of project sites. All the farmer groups have their own group management board (GMB) and operating regulation and come into being. Realizing the important role of group leader in accelerating group activities, the project has designed different skill training courses for group leaders. One of such courses was the GMB training course on group management and development which took place on March 5-8 and March 17-20, 2014 in Nghe An and Son La province, respectively. The GMB course in Nghe An was comprised of group leaders coming from Lai Chau, Nghe An and Ha Tinh province while the one in Son La included group leaders coming from Hoa Binh, Son La and Dien Bien.

Owing to the practical training materials and learner-centered teaching method, two trainers cum ADDA assistants opened up a friendly and exciting learning atmosphere and stimulated the creativity of trainees. It was proven through business challenge case study where farmer trainees not only showed their creative ideas but also their great skills at delivering eye-catching products. This case study also helped them define the necessity of making production and business plans for groups and households.

 Creative and eye-catching handmade products of business challenge case study (hung on the wall)

As the training content was rather tough and new to farmers, they tried their best to be attentive to the trainers and discuss difficult issues to practice and make a quite complete business plans. Though the training lasted for 04 days, all the participants obtained basic knowledge so that they could fulfill their tasks of a group leader to help farmer groups maintain and enhance their sustainable development. Results of trainees’ final examination show that 95% of the trainees are fully aware of training contents.

As the trainees come from various ethnic minorities such as Mong, Thai, Dao, Lu, Kinh, etc, the trainers also organized some extra activities for trainees to exchange and and introduce their specific traits.

After the training course, the trainees were all very delighted to obtain useful information about production and business plan and group managerial skills. They showed their gratitude to the assistance of ADDA and Farmers’ Union at all levels and hope to receive more trainings on different topics.

To Van Khanh