Over the two days of August 19th and 20th, a training course on Organic Agriculture was held at Minh Thanh Cooperative. The event attracted 30 trainees, including cooperative members, key staff, and representatives from nearby cooperatives. The course aimed to provide knowledge and practical skills in organic agriculture, helping participants gradually transition their farming methods.
Day 1: Survey and Needs Assessment
In the morning, following the opening ceremony, participants joined a group discussion to identify their needs for sustainable agricultural and forestry development. Key needs highlighted included:
- Enhancing knowledge and skills in sustainable production and pest management.
- Finding stable markets and outlets, without relying on traders.
- Gaining easier access to quality seeds and investment capital.
- Receiving support for machinery, techniques for production, and processing.
Afterward, trainees took a pre-course test to assess their existing knowledge of organic agriculture. In the afternoon, instructors introduced the core concepts and four principles of organic agriculture: Health, Ecology, Fairness, and Care. Trainees also learned about organic standards such as PGS Vietnam and TCVN.
Day 2: Practical Application and Planning
The second day started with a mini-game to review learned material, helping trainees remember important content. Next, groups discussed the differences between conventional and organic production processes for rice and cucumbers. Most participants recognized that organic production helps protect the health of the soil, ecosystems, and people.
The highlight of the day was the lively afternoon practical session. Trainees were guided on how to make compost, herbal pesticides from ginger, garlic, and chili, and prepare nutrient solutions. After the practical session, they developed post-training action plans for transitioning to organic farming.
According to the post-course test results, trainees’ scores significantly increased compared to the initial test, demonstrating the clear effectiveness of the trainee-centered teaching method. The course equipped cooperative members with the necessary knowledge and skills, providing a strong motivation for them to start building sustainable agricultural production models.