Effective vocational training for farmers

(Baonghean) - In recent years, through the Farmers' Association, thousands of farmers in Yen Thanh district have learned new jobs. With a focused training program that focuses on the potential of each locality, many rice farmers have escaped poverty and even become rich from new jobs.

Members of the Farmers' Association of Lien Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) make woven products after receiving vocational training.

According to the new standards, the poverty rate in Yen Thanh district is now 8.71%, and is expected to decrease to 6.8% by the end of 2014. Therefore, to contribute to the implementation of the sustainable poverty reduction target program, the Farmers' Association at all levels in Yen Thanh has diversified movements and activities, helping farmers escape poverty. In particular, the movement "Farmers compete in production, good business, unite to help each other eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, strive to become rich legitimately" has been promoted. The Association has chosen vocational training for members as a basic solution, creating an important driving force to help farmers escape poverty and stabilize their lives. On average, each year in Yen Thanh, nearly 3,000 members have been trained in occupations such as: rattan weaving for export; rattan weaving; production of incense sticks, fine art wooden products, mushroom growing...

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho in the mountainous commune of Ly Thanh is one of more than 600 households in 16 communes in Yen Thanh district who have been trained and educated in mushroom growing. This is a new profession but has brought about very practical results in the past 3 years in Yen Thanh. He said that after being trained, he devoted his family's efforts and human resources to growing mushrooms. The results were quite high and he had accumulated capital, so he planned to build a factory for production. During the process, the farmers' association from the district to the commune organized the transfer of scientific and technological advances, strictly following the process such as: soaking, processing raw materials, and ensuring harvesting. Currently, on average, this facility supplies the market with 200 kilograms of fresh mushrooms per day, with a selling price of 25,000 - 30,000 VND/kg, earning tens of millions of VND per month. In addition, it also creates jobs for many local workers. As for Ms. Tang Thi Diem, in Hamlet 1, Tho Thanh Commune, she is one of the households with difficult circumstances, the economy depends on a few acres of contracted rice fields. The Commune Farmers' Association has created conditions for her to learn the craft of bamboo and rattan weaving for export. She said: Taking advantage of the free time to do weaving, the products are purchased by Thang Loi Cooperative, so the family has a stable job, with a monthly income of about 2 - 2.5 million VND.

One of the grassroots organizations that has done a good job in poverty reduction is the Farmers' Association of My Thanh Commune. The whole commune has nearly 1,500 members, operating in 18 branches. In recent years, thanks to the good role of the farmers' associations, many member families have risen out of poverty, become rich legitimately, and become typical good business households. Of the 169 member households honored as good business households at all levels, 31 households have been recognized as good business households at the district level, 4 households at the provincial level and 1 household honored by the Central Government, which is the lean pig farming model, ensuring environmental hygiene of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hoai, achieving an annual revenue of nearly 1 billion VND. Mr. Nguyen Van Ky - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of My Thanh commune said: "Based on the resolution of the Party Committee and the People's Committee of the commune, the Farmers' Association focuses on promoting vocational training for farmers. For example, vocational training in raising free-range chickens, growing grass, and raising cattle and buffaloes for sale, so that members can develop the potential advantages of land, while attracting capital sources to help farmers escape poverty... The Association also assigns specific targets to branches, conducts surveys to see what members lack. If there is a lack of capital, establish a fund to help members develop the economy; if there is a lack of knowledge, advise the Farmers' Association to organize training courses, possibly from elementary to intermediate levels, to provide scientific and technological knowledge to help farmers apply it effectively in production, and escape poverty sustainably.

Mr. Thai Dinh Cau - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Yen Thanh district said: Recognizing the importance of vocational training for farmers in the economic and social restructuring and new rural construction, the Farmers' Association of the district will continue to focus on surveying the vocational training needs of farmers in accordance with vocational training. Arrange teachers and organize classes to meet the requirements. At the same time, improve the effectiveness after vocational training for economic and social development. In addition, the Farmers' Association focuses on supporting farmers to borrow preferential loans through channels such as the Social Policy Bank, the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development... ensuring that 100% of farmers in need of capital have access to capital sources and science and technology to apply in production, striving to reduce poverty sustainably. Coordinate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels to develop programs to support farmers in livestock farming, such as lending capital for cattle farming in the form of rotation and crop rotation.

It can be said that, in the general difficult conditions, together with all levels and sectors, vocational training for farmers through the Farmers' Association in Yen Thanh has achieved many positive results. Thereby, contributing to the Party Committees and local authorities at all levels to solve employment, increase income for farmers, reduce poverty quickly and sustainably, and successfully implement the criteria for building new rural areas.

Article and photos:Mr. Tuan

(Yen Thanh Radio)