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Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Introduction of the principles of GAP for citrus through implementation of citrus IPM using Farmer Field Schools CARD 037/06VIE MS10: Project Completion Report August 2010 2 1. Institute Information Project Name Introduction of the principles of GAP for citrus through implementation of citrus IPM using Farmer Field Schools Vietnamese Institution Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Plant Protection Department Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr Ngo Tien Dung Australian Organisation University of Western Sydney Australian Personnel Oleg Nicetic, Robert Spooner-Hart Date commenced March 2007 Completion date (original) February 2010 Completion date (revised) August 2010 Reporting period Completion report Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Oleg Nicetic (til 2/07/10) Robert Spooner-Hart (from 3/07/20) Telephone: +61245701329 Position: Research Program Coordinator 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 Ngo Tien Dung Telephone: +84-4-5330778 Position: National IPM coordinator Fax: +84-4-5330780 Organisation Plant Protection Department Email: ipmppd@fpt.vn 3 2. Project Abstract 3. Executive Summary The objectives of this project were to develop GAP production procedures for the Vietnamese citrus industry that will be published as a manual and to introduce GAP practices using the FFS model. Through the FFS training program a national cadre of citrus IPM/GAP master trainers and provincial level FFS facilitator teams have been established. The key methodologies used were participatory based learning and action based research. The objective of both techniques is to fully engage participants and allow them to direct the learning and research to best meet their needs. A key component of this project was Training of Trainers and Master Trainers in citrus GAP including IPM. Trainers conducted FFSs in their provinces and together with the trained farmers became leaders in citrus production aligned to GAP. The first objective was met by completing a GAP Manual which consists of two parts: a more theoretical part that introduced the concept of GAP and a practical part that included procedures and formats for GAP implementation and compliance. Complementary to the GAP Manual, an on-farm recording system was developed in 2007 and was successfully implemented in 2008 and 2009. The record keeping books are now used by farmers several years after the completion of FFSs. In some provinces, extension services have reprinted the book and distributed them to farmers. In focus group discussions in all 13 provinces, the acceptance of record keeping was overwhelming with 97% of farmers finding record keeping useful and with 91% of farmers saying they will continue to keep records. IPM compliance requirements are covered in the GAP manual but, to meet extension services and farmers’ needs for practical guide for implementation of IPM, the Field Guide for Citrus Pest and Diseases was developed and published in 2008. This book is co-authored by Dr Pham Van Lam from PPRI, Oleg Nicetic (UWS/UQ), Ngo Tien Dung and Dinh Van Duc. Mr Nguyen Tuan Loc and master trainers who facilitated FFSs edited the guide and made The key objective of this project was to align the Vietnamese citrus industry with world standard production practices and open opportunities for export markets. Adoption of sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) aligned to principles of good agricultural practice (GAP) leads to both economic and environmental benefits, and will enable Vietnamese citrus growers to be at the forefront of production in the Asia-Pacific region. Production of export quarantine-compliant citrus fruit with pesticide levels below international minimum residue levels (MRLs) as the result of this project will open new market opportunities in the competitive export markets and will enhance food safety for domestic consumption. The project was based on an interactive learning and action research paradigm, and uses the farmer field school (FFS) model. Leading research institutions from Southern and Northern Vietnam, together with extension officers from PPD and farmer organisations including VACVINA and Farmers Union have been working together to produce a GAP procedures tailored to suit Vietnamese conditions. They were also working closely with the farmers on validation of the GAP manual and providing training of trainers and farmers in IPM and GAP through FFS. Project activities were conducted in 5 provinces in the Mekong delta and 8 provinces of Central and Northern Vietnam. The IPM component is based on practices developed in project 036/04 VIE which have been adjusted in consultation with key personnel from Northern Vietnam, to account for local conditions. 4 changes to the original text to make it more easily understandable to citrus growers. Five thousand copies of the Field Guide were printed by Agricultural Press in Hanoi and distributed to PPSDs, DARDs, trainers and farmers. However, the Guide is still too technical and contains a deal of information that was not easily understood by many farmers. To overcome this problem a simple, a very practical 2-page brochure “Guide for management of major pest and diseases” was developed and printed on waterproof paper in 2009. Successful implementation of the FFSs program over three years has resulted in a total of 3000 farmers been trained. Out of the 3000 farmers, 2,451 have been trained using AusAID CARD funds and approximately 540 additional farmers have been trained using provincial funds. Farmers increased their knowledge and skills for many components of citriculture including density of plantings, pruning, plant nutrition and integrated pest management. Most of the farmers can now keep records of the main operations on their farm. Record keeping also helped farmers to improve their understanding of pesticide and fertiliser dose calculations and application of the correct amount of pesticides and fertilisers, and at the right time. Farmers’ abilities to critically evaluate the citrus production process and elements of the agro-ecosystem were also improved. In the years following the FFSs, farmer practices changed considerably resulting in better canopy management, reduction of pesticide use, changes in the type of pesticides used from broad spectrum pesticides with high negative environmental impacts to softer pesticides, better soil management with increased use of organic fertilisers and more frequent application of smaller amount of fertilisers. In the Mekong delta the vast majority of farmers have introduced weaver ants into their orchards and regularly use Trichoderma sp. mixed with compost. They also use PSO as part of IPM strategy for control of mites and leafminer. This makes the Mekong delta one of the most advanced regions in implementation of IPM in citrus, not just in Vietnam, but probably in Southeast Asia. It is interesting to note that in Ha Giang province the use of pesticides actually increased, but with a corresponding improvement in fruit quality. Changes in practices resulted in significant economic benefits for farmers including increased fruit yield, quality and price, reduction of input costs and greater profitability. Changes in practices also reduced detrimental impacts of citrus cultivation on the environment and, thus, improved ecosystem health. These positive impacts on the environment are mainly a result of reduced pesticide through implementation of IPM strategies that farmers learned in the FFSs. In all provinces, positive effects on the environment were noticed as increased number of beneficial arthropods in orchards and reduced pollution from pesticide and fertiliser packaging. In the Mekong delta, positive impacts on the environment also included increased abundance of fish in the farm canals and in Hoa Binh province, farmers observed increased numbers of birds. In the Mekong delta all farmers who participated in the impact assessment now rear weaver ants in their orchards. The project had very positive social impacts as a result of participatory approach used as well as very strong support from local government and farmer organisations, including the Farmers’ Unions and the Women’s Unions. One of the FFSs participants become president of local Farmer Union organisation (Phu Tho province), and three participants became leaders of their hamlets (Ha Giang and Ha Tay provinces). In Yen Bai province, the Women’s Union meetings were used as a platform for sharing knowledge and information from FFSs. 5 In most communities where FFSs were held, social activities increased and better relationships have been built between the community members. FFS participants shared their knowledge and experiences with their neighbours and, as a result, their standing in the community increased. On a personal (human) level the self-esteem and confidence of FFS participants increased. Farmers’ clubs were formed after FFS completion in Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Tien Giang and Ben Tre provinces. In Vinh Long province, activities in My Hoa cooperatives increased as result of FFSs, and the cooperative received GAP certification. The first successful GAP implementation and certification was achieved in Vinh Long province where FFSs were conducted for 26 members of My Hoa cooperative in Binh Minh district. Farmers from the cooperative cultivate a total of 22 ha of pomelo. The cooperative secured financial support to implement GLOBALG.A.P. from the supermarket chain Metro in 2007 and our project also supported involvement of VACVINA for short farmer training activities on specific GAP issues. All these effort resulted in GLOBALG.A.P. certification being granted to the cooperative on 19 September 2008, by SGS Vietnam. GAP implementation activities were also conducted in Dong Thap province where our project team headed by Dr Vo Mai worked with a group of 11 farmers from Long Hau village, Lai Vung district, with the aim of achieving VietGAP certification. Technical support and training of farmers was provided by VACVINA members and extension officers from Lai Vung district Plant Protection Station. The Farmers’ Union and local government have provided great support, including a subsidy towards the building of toilets in the fields. Both local government and the Farmers’ Union see GAP certification as a very prestigious achievement because of the political support the accreditation scheme has from both the central and provincial government. The approach to GAP implementation with the Long Hau village group has been very different to that in My Hoa. The Long Hau group has been implementing GAP via a much longer process of learning and have been making adjustments in their production practices by themselves, under the guidance of VACVINA consultants; nothing has actually been done for farmers by the consultants. This group of growers is much smaller than in My Hoa, with only 11 members cultivating a total area of 3.45 ha. They are all neighbours with adjacent properties and the initiative for GAP certification and leadership in implementation came from two members of the group with the highest production and good connections with the market. The group members sell their product at traditional markets just before the Vietnamese New Year holiday (Tet), so they achieve a very high price with the average net profit per group member of 70,000,000 VND to 226,470,000 VND/ha, 3 times above the industry average. So the group members are high achievers with the vision that VietGAP certification will differentiate their product on the market. They hope to capitalise on certification by obtaining higher prices as a result of selling their product to supermarkets or/and on their own market stall in Ho Chi Minh City clearly marked with the sign “Safe mandarins”. Initial certification inspection was conducted and the farmer group met all VietGAP requirements, except that they do not have packing facility. At the time of writing this report, the group is in the process of building the packing facility with funds provided by the provincial government. After its completion, it is expected that VietGAP certification will be granted. 6 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). The objectives of this project were to develop GAP production procedures for the Vietnamese citrus industry that will be published as a manual and to introduce GAP practices using the FFS model. Through the FFS training program a national cadre of citrus IPM/GAP master trainers and provincial level FFS facilitator teams are established. The key methodologies used were participatory based learning and action based research. The objective of both techniques is to fully engage participants and allow them to direct the learning and research to best meet their needs. A key component of this project was Training of Trainers and Master Trainers in citrus GAP including IPM. Trainers conducted FFSs in their provinces and together with the trained farmers became leaders in citrus production aligned to GAP. Multiple outputs from FFS training have been demonstrated in previous CARD projects in citrus. These include: farmer empowerment through increased knowledge of the agro- ecosystem; the conservation of biodiversity and protection of the environment through reduced pesticide application as a result of improved knowledge of pests and diseases and more effective control measures; increased food security through enhanced production; and protection of the health of farming communities and consumers of fruit through reduced pesticide use in fruit production. In addition to these outputs project established a locally relevant GAP framework and initiated the process of implementation of these practices in citrus production. Implementation of GAP will open new market opportunities in both the domestic and export markets. 7 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights The key objective of this project was to develop resources for GAP implementation: a GAP manual, reference material for farmers and trainers (books and brochures) and on-farm record keeping system. The project also aimed to increase Vietnamese capacity to develop and implement citrus IPM strategies aligned to GAP requirements. The project employed a FFS approach that included training of master trainers who then, together with the researchers from Vietnamese research institutions, conducted Training of Trainers (TOT) for extension workers in citrus IPM. These trained extension workers then conducting FFSs in their local districts. The objectives were achieved through implementation of all the activities documented in the project contract. Details of project implementation are documented in the Milestone reports, and the major highlights are listed below. 5.1.1. Objective 1: To develop GAP manual for citrus that includes IPM guidelines and Objective 4: Develop procedures/formats for compliance with GLOBALG.A.P. in areas other than IPM The developments with regard to GAP in Vietnam, since the time the original project proposal was written in 2005, have been so dynamic that adjustments have had to be made to the terminology and deliverables stated in the project document. In the project proposal and subsequent project documents we used the terms GAP procedures and GAP handbook. The GAP procedures were to include GAP implementation check points and the handbook was to provide a more general framework for GAP implementation. However, SOFRI already published a GAP Handbook (2007) based on EurepGAP (GLOBALG.A.P. since 09/2007) that provides a general framework for all fruit crops, including citrus. At a meeting in SOFRI in June 2007 it was concluded that rather than repeating work already done, we should write a GAP Manual which will consisted of a more theoretical part that would introduce the GAP concept and a practical part that would include procedures and record-keeping formats for GAP implementation and compliance. In essence, the material that was originally planned to be covered in two separate parts (viz. handbook and procedures) has now been put together in a single manual, which was completed in 2008. The GAP manual is based on GLOBALG.A.P. requirements but it can easily be adapted and use as reference material for VietGAP implementation. VietGAP is based on GlobalG.A.P, with GlobalGAP being more comprehensive in its requirements. Thus, the GlobalG.A.P- based manual for citrus production can be used for implementation of VietGAP with the requirements that are not compulsory for VietGAP not having to be implemented. On-farm recording system based on the GAP manual was developed in 2007 and was successfully implemented in 2008 and 2009. The record keeping books are now used by farmers several years after the completion of FFSs. In some provinces, extension services have reprinted the book and distributed them to farmers. In focus group discussions in all 13 provinces the acceptance of record keeping was overwhelming, with 97% of farmers finding record keeping useful and 91% of farmers reporting they will continue to keep records. Farmers recognised the following advantages of record keeping: awareness of input costs (53% of respondents), awareness of labour costs (33%), awareness of income from fruit sale 8 (44%), awareness of production profitability (85%), awareness of fertilisers used so the farmer can assess their effectiveness (30%), prediction of pest occurrence (33%), and awareness of pesticides used, enabling farmers to assess their effectiveness (49%). Another advantage of using records mentioned by several farmers was selection of a cheaper pesticide shop (based on prices recorded by farmers who then became aware of different prices between shops). IPM compliance requirements are covered in the GAP manual, but to meet extension services’ and farmers’ needs for practical guide for implementation of IPM a Field Guide for Citrus Pest and Diseases was developed and published in 2008. The book is co-authored by Dr Pham Van Lam from PPRI, Oleg Nicetic (UWS/UQ), Ngo Tien Dung and Dinh Van Duc. Mr Nguyen Tuan Loc and master trainers who facilitated FFSs edited the guide and made changes to the original text to make it easily understandable to citrus growers. Five thousand copies of the Field Guide were printed by Agricultural Press in Hanoi and distributed to PPSDs, DARDs, trainers and farmers in the Northern provinces. Farmers and trainers from the Mekong delta used Field Guide developed and published as part of the previous CARD project 036/04 VIE. The Field guide for the North Vietnam was very well accepted by extension officers but the guide was still too technical and contained a deal of information that was not easily understood by many farmers. To overcome this problem a simple, very practical 2-page brochure “Guide for Management of Major Pests and Diseases” was developed and printed on waterproof paper in 2009. 5.1.2. Objective 2: To establish a national cadre of citrus IPM/GAP master trainers and province level FFS facilitator teams. Training of master trainers (TOMT) was conducted in Kim Linh Hotel in Hanoi from 8-12/03/07. Four master trainers from the Mekong delta and six master trainers from the North of Vietnam attend the TOMT. At the TOMT, the curriculum to be used for the subsequent TOT and in FFSs in 2007 was formulated. Training of 98 trainers from 13 provinces was conducted via a continuous participatory learning process over the three years. In 2007, two TOTs for the Northern provinces were held in Regional Plant Protection Centre 4 in Vinh, Nghe An province: the first from 19/03/07 to 2/04/07 and the second from 28/05/07 to 12/06/07. The TOT for the Mekong delta was conducted from 13/04/07 to 27/04/07. TOTs were facilitated by master trainers, senior PPD staff trained in previous FAO and CARD projects, researchers from research institutions and universities, and Australian experts. During 2007, trainers then conducted a total of 24 FFSs funded by CARD and an additional 17 FFSs funded by provincial governments. Each FFS had 21 sessions, conducted over one growing season. Topics covered principles of GAP including record keeping, IPM consistent with GAP, understanding of the citrus orchard ecosystem, influence of pruning and tree density on yield and tree health, and understanding of the influence of organic and mineral nutrients on soil health and citrus orchard productivity. In the second year of the project (2008), refresher TOTs were held in Vinh from 26-29 February and from 03-06 March; and in My Tho from 04-07 March. Refresher TOTs focused on discussions about GAP and ways in which it could be implemented in Vietnam, and on the identification of citrus pests and diseases and the importance of spray application, 9 including spray calibration, calculation of spray volumes and pesticide doses and their impact on successful pest and disease control. In 2008, trainers conducted 57 FFSs following a curriculum similar to the 2007 curriculum. The trainers’ learning process continued at project review workshops that were conducted in Ha Tinh on 21 November, in Ha Tay on 25 November and in Yen Bai on 27 November, 2008. At these workshops it was decided to select two out of four FFSs conducted in 2008 and to continue with training and FFS activities with same farmers trained in 2008. This was because the farmers’ skills developed during a one-season program were not at a level which would be able to be translated into significant changes to practices. In Phu Tho, the provincial government funded additional FFSs, so all 4 FFSs conducted in 2008 continued in 2009. To meet farmers’ specific needs in this second season of FFSs trainers, in cooperation with researchers from PPRI and PPD research centres, developed curricula for their own provinces. This represents a significant step in capacity building of PPSD staff in the provinces and had very positive influence on achieving significant changes in farmers’ practices. After completion of the project, the PPD now have highly competent cadre at the national and provincial level that can facilitate farmers’ participatory learning and collective actions to implement IPM and GAP, particularly in citrus. This high level of knowledge and skills developed by the PPD senior staff has been recognised by international organisations and donors. Two of our facilitators have been recently hired by FAO to support their activities in Cambodia and Nepal. 5.1.3. Objective 3: Enhanced capacity of farmers to implement citrus IPM compliant with GAP standards. Successful implementation of the FFSs program over three years has resulted in a total of 3000 farmers been trained (Table 1). Of these 3000 farmers, 2,451 were trained using AusAID CARD funds and approximately 540 additional farmers were trained from provincial funding. Farmers were trained in principles of GAP, including record keeping, IPM, understanding of he tcitrus orchard ecosystem, influence of pruning and tree density on yield and tree health, and understanding of the influence of organic and mineral nutrients on soil health and citrus orchard productivity. The FFSs were conducted throughout one growing season. In 2007, FFSs started at the time of the major citrus flowering period (April-May) and finished at harvest. In 2008 and 2009 in all eight Northern provinces, FFSs started at harvest and continued until the next harvest. In the Mekong delta FFSs in 2008 were still held from April until December. Each FFS in 2007 and 2008 had 21 sessions. On-farm record keeping was part of each FFS and every farmer participating in the FFS received a record keeping book. It was a requirement for all farmers to demonstrate that they kept records before they were granted the certificate for FFS completion. In 2009, eighteen selected FFSs from 2008 continued the FFS program for the second year. These FFS were chosen because farmers needed more input from facilitators to develop skills sufficient to enable them to implement the significant changes in practices necessary for successful and sustainable production. The new curriculum for the second season of FFSs 10 was developed by trainers specifically for each province. It concentrated on specific farmer needs identified in the previous season. Farmers’ enhanced capacity to implement integrated crop management practices compliant with GAP standards was demonstrated through positive changes in practices that resulted in significant economic, social and environmental impacts (presented in Section 5.2 Smallholder benefits). 5.1.4. Objective 5: Assess effectiveness of FFS for implementation of IPM and GAP GAP standards and certification schemes, with the current level of support they are receiving from the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, provide a good framework for sustainable production of citrus. Our project has provided the necessary requirements for GAP implementation in citrus through the development of a series of reference materials. The project has also demonstrated that the benefits from developed GAP standards and an implementation manual can be maximised if they are used as a framework for development of the curriculum for participatory farmer education (i.e. FFSs). Even though the GAP standards are, by definition, rigid and cannot be modified by farmers in a participatory process, the way current practices can be changed to reach the required standards can still be defined by farmers. Impact assessment undertaken as a part of the project suggests that the participatory approach taken for GAP implementation is pivotal for sustainability of the whole GAP certification process. It was shown that even though farmers from only two FFS actually achieved GAP certification, the development and implementation of GAP-based curricula enabled implementation of certain components of the GAP requirements that made production more sustainable, reduced impact on the environment and benefited farmers (and potentially, consumers). For more details on the use of the participatory model for GAP implementation, see Section 5.1.5. Table 1. Location of FFSs completed in 2007 Province Number of FFS Number of farmers trained ( CARD FFS only) Proportion of female participants MEKONG DELTA Tien Giang 9 + 2 1 276 14 Dong Thap 3 + 1 1 105 11 Vinh Long 8 240 3 Can Tho 8 + 2 1 240 10 Ben Tre 5 + 5 1 150 14 Sub-Total 33+10 1 1011 10.4% NORTHERN VIETNAM Ha Tinh 6 2 180 44 Nghe An 6 2 +7 1 180 30 Hoa Binh 6 2 +1 1 180 28 Ha Tay 6 2 180 29 Phu Tho 6 3 180 38