The effectiveness of vocational training in agricultural extension.
(Baonghean) - Implementing Decision 1956/TTg of the Prime Minister and Decision 3864/QD-UBND, vocational training for farmers has been intensified in recent years. Each year, dozens of classes are organized in localities through agricultural extension channels, farmers' associations, and vocational training centers, with hundreds of farmers participating. Through these vocational training classes, skills in livestock farming and crop cultivation are being improved. Farmers have applied the knowledge gained to production, increasing the productivity and efficiency of crops and livestock, contributing to improving the lives of farmers.
Mr. Ho Nghia Ninh, residing in Hamlet 2, Quynh Minh Commune, has 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of land for growing vegetables, cultivating 5 crops per year. Before attending school, his family grew vegetables, but after learning safe vegetable farming techniques from a vocational training course organized by the district's agricultural extension service, he successfully applied the methods to his own vegetable fields. The results included increased yields, reduced production costs, and, most importantly, improved organization and management of safe vegetable production. He and his neighbors reorganized into a production group, establishing regulations to monitor and manage each other's use of pesticides, planting according to a schedule, and adhering to the group leader's instructions. This scheduled planting, which creates optimal conditions for vegetable supply when the market is experiencing shortages, has proven highly effective. Each crop brings his family and the cooperative a profit increase of approximately 15-20% compared to the old methods.
Mr. Le Dinh Thuong, residing in Son Thanh hamlet, Hung Thanh commune, started raising free-range chickens in 2011, but the results were not very good. In 2013, after participating in a chicken farming training course organized by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center and mastering the scientific and technical aspects, he boldly borrowed capital to invest in expanding his farming operation. As a result, he sold over 3,000 broiler chickens that year, earning hundreds of millions of dong in profit. He confidently stated that the survival rate is now over 95%, and he can handle all chicken diseases. He is now shifting his focus to raising both breeding and broiler chickens, making chicken farming the main source of income for his family.
Meanwhile, the family of Ms. Dang Thi Tan in Yen Thanh town learned mushroom cultivation in 2012. With a 100 m2 shed, they earn 6-7 million VND per season from button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, etc. According to Ms. Tan, mushroom cultivation is a new profession that requires strict adherence to technical measures. Initially, it was unfamiliar, but now they are used to it. This is a less strenuous job than farming but provides a higher income. Currently, Yen Thanh district has over 100 households participating in mushroom cultivation. In 2014, the entire district is striving to achieve 500 tons of product.
We visited Mr. Nguyen Dinh Lan's house in Hamlet 2, Dien An Commune, Dien Chau District. Mr. Lan said: In 2010, he participated in a livestock farming vocational training course, mastering the techniques, and developed livestock farming as his family's main occupation. Each year, he sells three batches of pigs, each batch weighing about 2 tons, earning a profit of 40-50 million VND. Seeing the effectiveness of the training, he encouraged his wife and children to participate in courses, and now three members of his family have participated in livestock farming training. From a trainee in the course, through mastering the techniques and practicing extensively, he has now become a veterinarian in the hamlet. He treats common pig diseases himself, only consulting the commune veterinarian for serious illnesses. Because he is good at planning and selecting good pig breeds, his pigs always fetch a higher price than the market. Currently, the market price is 38-40 thousand VND/kg, while his pigs maintain a price of 42 thousand VND/kg. According to him, he achieved those results by applying the knowledge he had learned from his previous pig farming course.
According to a report from the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in 2013 the center organized 30 vocational training courses for farmers throughout the province, with a total of over 900 participants. These courses covered six professions: safe vegetable production, tea cultivation, mushroom cultivation, pig farming, chicken farming, and traditional fish farming. The training programs were based on practical needs and were positively received by the farmers. The training was conducted using a "hands-on" approach, with practical exercises performed directly in the fields and at home, allowing participants to quickly grasp and apply the skills immediately after completion. Overall, 85% of trainees applied their knowledge to production, 70% achieved higher yields than before the training, and 50% generated higher incomes from their learned skills. These are encouraging signs for vocational training for farmers.
According to Mr. Cao Xuan Tuan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, based on the results of previous years, the demand for vocational training in localities is currently very high. However, due to limited funding, this year the center can only open 10 classes corresponding to a budget of 500 million VND (in 2013, with 1 billion VND, the center opened 20 classes), and he also hopes to increase the budget to meet the needs of farmers. On the other hand, it is necessary to expand vocational training to meet the current development needs of rural areas and support the new rural development movement.
Mr. Tuan
