Home > SUB-PROJECT 5 ORGANIZED TWO TRAININGS ON PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEM AND LINK TOOLS IN HAM THUAN NAM DISTRICT, BINH THUAN PROVINCE

SUB-PROJECT 5 ORGANIZED TWO TRAININGS ON PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEM AND LINK TOOLS IN HAM THUAN NAM DISTRICT, BINH THUAN PROVINCE

In November and December 2024, the Delegation of Sub-Project 5, led by Dr. Truong Thi Thanh Phuong (Local Team Leader), organized training sessions for farmers at the Ham Minh 30 Dragon Fruit Cooperative in Ham Thuan Nam District, Binh Thuan Province. The training focused on the operation of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and the application of the LINK tools in inclusive business models for safe and organic dragon fruit production.

Photos of the practical exercises in the training sessions

Twenty-eight members participated in the training sessions, including the director of Ham Minh 30 Dragon fruit Cooperative, staff from the Technical and Agricultural Service Center of Ham Thuan Nam District, cooperative members, and eight members of Sub-Project 5.

Delivered by experts from the Center for Organic Agriculture Development Support (CODAS), the sessions provided participants with knowledge about PGS and the intergration of the LINK tools into inclusive business model. Key outcomes included:

Formation of preliminary groups for the PGS.
Development of organizational structures, defining roles and responsibilities for each unit.
Provision of knowledge and practical exercises on value chain analysis for dragon fruit products.
Analysis of current household business models, focusing on stakeholder identification, income and expenditure assessment, and profitability evaluation.

Farmers gained a comprehensive overview of their production and business activities, identified strengths and existing challenges, and explored solutions for operational improvements. Suggestions included:

Cost reduction: Adjusting agricultural input structures and optimizing dragon fruit lighting schedules.
Revenue enhancement: Strategically timing cultivation, expanding sales channels, and diversifying product offerings.

Participants collaboratively developed an action plan to ensure the successful operation of the PGS model, in alignment with stakeholder agreements.

The sub-project’s members also visited the dragon fruit wine production facility and other fruit-based wines (Anh Hong Phuc Company Limited in Minh Tien village, Ham Minh commune). During the visit, farmer groups practiced inspection and cross-reflection between inspection groups. This hands-on experience helped the groups gain a clear understanding of inspection and supervision activities required to meet the PGS certification process for dragon fruit. These activities are crucial to ensuring the success of the quality assurance model, with active stakeholder participation in PGS, in the future.

Mrs. Le Phuong Chi, Director of Ham Minh 30 Dragon Fruit Cooperative, remarked: “I feel very satisfied with the two training sessions. We, along with the farmers, gained valuable insights into PGS and the LINK tools, applied to our dragon fruit production. The trainers were friendly, enthusiastic, and clear in their explanations. The group activities were both enjoyable and practical, and the farmers were very eager to participate. I hope the PGS will be successfully implemented for organic dragon fruit within the cooperative.”

At the end of the training session, the sub-project’s members will continue taking the next steps to establish a solid foundation, support the operation of the PGS, and facilitate the application of LINK tools for organic dragon fruit farmers in Ham Thuan Nam District, Binh Thuan Province.