Improving Food and Nutrition Security through Home Gardens National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Vientiane, Lao PDR 28 April 2 May 2014 Training Report
The Network for Knowledge Transfer on Sustainable Agricultural Technologies and Improved Market Linkages in South and Southeast Asia (SATNET Asia) aims to support innovation by strengthening South South dialogue and intraregional learning on sustainable agriculture technologies and trade facilitation. Funded by the European Union, SATNET facilitates knowledge transfer through the development of a portfolio of best practices on sustainable agriculture, trade facilitation and innovative knowledge sharing. Based on this documented knowledge, it delivers a range of capacity building programmes to network participants. SATNET Asia is implemented by the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA) in collaboration with the AVRDC The World Vegetable Center, the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), the Food Security Centre of the University of Hohenheim and the Trade and Investment Division of UNESCAP. This report has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this report are those of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the United Nations or the European Union. The report has been issued without formal editing. 2
Table of Contents Introduction... 4 Summary of Sessions and Outcomes... 5 1. Opening session... 5 2. Status of vegetable production and consumption in Lao PDR and the role of homegardens... 5 3. Integrating nutrition: the different colors in home gardens... 5 4. Home garden models and successful stories... 6 5. Crop production systems/technologies in home garden... 6 6. Integrated pest management (IPM), compost making and bio-extract preparation... 7 7. Visit to existing home gardens... 7 8. Way forward and general evaluation... 8 Annexes... 9 Annex 1: Training Program... 9 Annex 2: List of Participants... 11 Annex 3: Training course evaluation results... 12 3
Introduction Home gardens are an important piece of land in almost every household in the region. If well developed, they contributes significantly to household food security by providing direct access to food that can be harvested, prepared and fed to family members. Growing diversified nutrient packed fruits and vegetables in home gardens contribute to improved nutrition of the household members. In Laos, after consultation with SATNET Asia partners, the need for training on home gardens was considered a top three (3) priority. It was recognized for the need for a strategy to complement the government program on food diversification, food accessibility and increased consumption of health promoting vegetables. A training session on Improving Food and Nutrition Security through Development of Home Gardens was conducted by AVRDC The World Vegetable Center East and Southeast Asia regional office in collaboration with National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Vientiane, Lao PDR from 28 April to 2 May 2014. The training was organized through the Network for Knowledge Transfer on Sustainable Agricultural Technologies and Improved Market Linkages in South and Southeast Asia (SATNET Asia), a project funded by the European Union (EU).SATNET Asia facilitates knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices on sustainable agriculture, trade facilitation and innovative knowledge sharing through a range of capacity-building programmes to network participants. The goal was to enable participants to in turn transfer this knowledge to those who need it most smallholder farmers, and small-scale entrepreneurs. AVRDC The World Vegetable Center supports SATNET Asia through facilitating and implementing capacity building activities in four targeted Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. A total of 14 participants, 9 male and 5 female, attended the training coming from various government, nongovernment organizations and academic institution in the country. The purpose of the training on Improving Food and Nutrition Security through Development of Home Gardens was to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants and in particular objectives were to: (1) Understand the contribution of home gardens to Lao PDR s food and nutrition security. (2) Define appropriate and applicable production technologies on home gardens. (3) Define strategies on how to improve home garden projects in Lao PDR. 4
Summary of Sessions and Outcomes 1. Opening session The training session started with an opening message from Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Deputy Director General, National Agricultural Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and welcomed all participants and facilitators. He briefly shared the importance of putting emphases and support to the development of home gardens in Lao PDR. The government has developed home gardens in support for improved food and nutrition security at the household level. Almost 80 % of the total population is engaged in farming and around 90% of the area is cultivated for rice production, tree farming and livestock. The development of home gardens will supplement to better and improved access and availability of fresh vegetables. Dr. Linkham further encouraged the participants to be involved in the promotion and implementation of home and school gardens in the country. He committed that NAFRI will provide its technical support and encourage the extension officers in the provinces to be engaged in the program. Dr. Robert Holmer, Regional Director of AVRDC expressed AVRDC s gratitude to the government of Lao through NAFRI in putting forward the agenda of home garden. These efforts of the various countries in the region have contributed towards the improved diet and nutritional status of the population. Dr. Holmer further shared the programs of AVRDC in particular, vegetable production and consumption. Somchit Pruangwitayakun, AVRDC s Vegetable Research and Training Assistant, shared the course overview and elicited some expectations from the participants. She also presented the program of the next 5 days and have emphasized that the course will have a mix of classroom discussion, practical exercises and field exposure. It was also agreed that Lao and Thai language will be used as the medium of instruction and discussion. 2. Status of vegetable production and consumption in Lao PDR and the role of homegardens Dr. Thongkhoun Sisaphaithong, head of Vegetable Research Division of Horticulture Research Center and Mr. Phathana Sangounkeo, Researcher and person in charge of home garden projects of Horticulture Research Center presented and discussed the current situation of vegetable production and consumption in Lao PDR and how home gardens help address the problems on accessibility of fresh vegetables to communities especially in rural areas. Majority of the Lao households grow their own vegetables for consumption. Most households in Lao PDR will grow vegetable for their own consumption but with demand of organic market such as from hotels, there is a group of farmer who have started to grow organic vegetables. Main problem for vegetable production in Lao PDR are soil fertility and farmers have no knowledge how to improve the soil. Transportation from vegetable production area to the market is very far and transportation means are limited. 3. Integrating nutrition: the different colors in home gardens The purpose of the session was to introduce the basic concepts of nutrition, nutritional benefits of vegetables and the importance of having a variety of colours of vegetable as source of daily requirements of micro-nutrients. The five-colour vegetable garden model was introduced to the participants. Each colour (green, yellow, red, purple/blue, and white) represents main groups of phytochemicals or bio active compounds in fruits and vegetables which are essential in keeping the body healthy. Ms. Somchit Pruangwitayakun who was facilitating the session, led the participant into the discussion of Lao s and Thai s traditional recipe and identified and described each individual species as the colourful ingredients The participants were able to identify fruits and vegetable crops which they will integrate into their home gardens. 5
4. Home garden models and successful stories A short video of Indonesian home of foods or sustainable food house initiatives (locally known in Indonesia as KRPL Kawasan Rumah Pangan Lestari) was presented to the participants. They then discussed, in plenary, the factors which made the national project a success. These are: - Government support in terms of funding and technical assistance - Expanding the project to schools and other public facilities - Communities support and drive to establish and sustain home gardens - Market - Support from various government and non-government agencies - Institutional legislation, from national to local government bodies Ms. Somchit Pruangwitayakunthen briefly presented some successful home gardens in Thailand such as Laksi rooftop garden, city farming project, school gardens, and a hospital garden. Benefits in establishing a home garden were highlighted throughout the discussion such as improving the lunch for school children, additional income, increased consumption of vegetables, and served as a social activity for employees and patients as in the case of hospital gardens. 5. Crop production systems/technologies in home garden The participants learned techniques for home gardens such as selection of crops, soil nutrient management, water and irrigation, weed control and pests management. A simple method for compost making using organic waste from kitchen and garden was introduced and practical exercises then followed. 6
6. Integrated pest management (IPM), compost making and bio-extract preparation Mr. Bounpheng Sihomchan, Head of Integrated Pest Management and Postharvest Research Section, Horticulture Research Center of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, discussed important aspects in identifying common pests in home gardens and how to manage it. He also shared the technology on making bio-extract, its benefits and usage. Bio-extract is a liquid extract from fermented kitchen wastes mainly from fruits and vegetables with sugar. In home gardens, it is used by diluting with water and sprayed on vegetable crops. It also reduces the infestation of pests and diseases as well as improving soil fertility. Pictures below show the participants during the practical exercise on bio-extracts 7. Visit to existing home gardens The participants visited the organic vegetable production area at Bongpow Village and was met Mr. PornsawanJandara, head of farmer s group. The farmers grow Chinese cabbage, coriander and Centellaasiatica (Linn.) and they deliver their produced directly to hotels and restaurants in Vientiane, the city capital. 7
Discussion between participants and farmers group evolved around the main challenges they faced in crop production and how they manage them. The main problems are insects and pest infestations such as flea beetle, ants during hot season and too much rain sometime flooded the crops. 8. Way forward and general evaluation The participants were generally satisfied with the training course on Improving Food and Nutrition Security through Home Gardens. They found it useful in their work and had further appreciated the benefits of establishing home gardens to improved food and nutrition security in the country. As ways of moving forward, they participants shared the following: - Coordinate with the provincial offices of agriculture for the establishment of home gardens - Further improved the number and skills of extension workers within the department to help in home garden promotion and establishment - Coordinate with other institutes for support. 8
Annexes Annex 1: Training Program Monday, 28 April 2014 9:30-10.00 Welcome Message Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh Deputy Director General, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) 10:00-10:30 Coffee break 10:30-12:00 Introduction, expectations setting and course overview Ms. Somchit Pruangwitayakun Research and Training Assistant, AVRDC The World Vegetable Center 12:00-13:30 Lunch time 13:30-16:00 Status of Vegetable Production and Consumption in Laos and the Role of Home Gardens Dr. Thongkhoun Sisaphaithong and Mr. Phathana Sengounkeo Horticulture Research Center, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) Tuesday, 29 April 2014 08.30-12.00 Integrating nutrition: the different colors in homegardens Ms. Somchit Pruangwitayakun AVRDC The World Vegetable Center 13.30-16.30 Home garden models Ms. Somchit Pruangwitayakun AVRDC The World Vegetable Center Wednesday, 30 April 2014 08.30-12.00 Crop production technologies in home gardens Ms. Somchit Pruangwitayakun AVRDC The World Vegetable Center 13.30-16.30 Integrated pest management Practical on use of bio-extracts Mr. Bounpheng Sihomchan, Head of Integrated Pest Management Research Section, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) Thursday 1 May 2014 09.00 15.00 Visit to existing home gardens and farms 9
Friday, 2 May 2014 Planning way forward Course evaluation Closing program Ms. Somchit Pruangwitayakun AVRDC The World Vegetable Center Dr. Thongkhoun Sisaphaithong National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) 10
Annex 2: List of Participants No Name Organization Mobile E-mail address 1 Mr. Thansamay Dethphakhoune FOA 02022255810 dthansamay@yahoo.com 2 Ms. Latthana Sithikhaune ARC 99440389 3 Ms. Khamvend Silampood HRC 22778142 4 Mr. Nouphone Khamsomphu HRC 98002031 nouphone@hotmail.com 5 Ms. Phone Inthavong HRC 55921928 6 Mr. Bounxoth Vongvilayvone NOUL 55409851 vbounxod@hotmail.com 7 Mr. Vanxay Chanthadala National University of Laos 8 Mr. Vongthong Sengsawang CADC 56178337 9 Ms. Phisamia Sengmane CADC 28263930 10 Mr. Vanhnakone Saiyavomsa Plant and Animal Research Center, Vientiane 11 Mr. Manh Sysaath Plant and Animal Research Center, Vientiane 55657785 Vanxay2004@hotmail.com 23559033 98989360 Manh9898@gmail.com 12 Mr. Inpon Onhsengmany DATS 28120544 inpondats@yahoo.com 13 Ms. Sengaloun Phommachan DATS 28694499 Sengaloun.pmc@yahoo. com 14 Mr. Souli Vongphakdy HRC 55708470 11
Annex 3: Training course evaluation results The end of course evaluation was done through a survey questionnaire, which was answered by the participants individually. 1. Usefulness and quality of the training Participants we asked to rate the usefulness and quality of the training in terms of content, processes and materials and logistics, from excellent to poor. Figure 1 shows results according to four evaluation criteria (excellent, good, average and poor). In terms of content, participants evaluated each key session. In average, all sessions were rated as good. 80 70 Figure 1. Percent rating for usefulness and quality of training in terms of content. 71 71 71 60 50 40 30 20 10 14 14 14 14 43 36 21 43 43 29 29 29 29 21 7 Excellen Good Fair Poor 0 Status of veg prodn Nutrition HG Models Crop IPM Field visit In terms of process and materials, participants rated Good for agenda and flow, facilitation and feedback, quality of presentations during lecture and practical and quality of hand outs and reading materials were at 71%, 57% 60% and 93% respectively. (Figure 2.) 12
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 14 71 Process agenda and flow Figure 2. Percent rating of process and materials. 29 57 14 14 Process facilitation and feedback 36 64 Quality of presentations during lecture and practical exercies 93 7 0 0 Quality of hand outs and reading materials Excellen Good Fair Poor For logistics, all of participants rated Good for pre training communication, training venue facilities, accommodation, food and administrative assistance during the training as 64%, 57%, 57%, 43% and 57% accordingly. (Figure 3.) Figure 3. Percent rating logistics 70 64 60 57 57 57 50 43 43 40 30 20 29 36 14 29 36 21 Excellen Good Fair Poor 10 0 Pretraining communication 7 7 Training venue facilities 0 Accomodation Food Admin assistance 13
2. Knowedge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey Expectations Majority of participants (64%) indicated that the training course met their expectations to a largeextent. 14 % of the participants said very largey extent and 21% said medium. 70 60 64 50 40 30 20 10 0 14 21 Extent training met expectations Overall rating of the training 71% of the participants gave an overall rating of the training as good, while 29% said the training is excellent. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 29 71 Overall rating Full understanding of the training content Participants were requested to answer if they have fully understood all training content. 93% ofthem said yes and 7% said no. As to the reasons why they indicated no, because they need more explanations on how bio-extract can control pests and insects. Application of learning After the training 50% of participants indicated that they will apply most of what they learned in their respective work areas, 36% said all and 14% said about half. Plan to share the learning When asked if they plan to share the learning gained from the training to others, 100% of the participants said Yes. Majority of them were willing to share the following areas to their constituents. 3. Comments and suggestions Aspects of the training to be improved in the future: More samples and more field visit will help them to understand clearly and provide document before training. 14