“According to a set of criteria stipulated in New Rural Development Program (a national program designed by Vietnam’s Government), each commune has to form co-operatives or farmer groups. Moreover, the villagers wish to have a team of local veterinarians providing them with husbandry techniques and supporting them in preventing the spread of animal disease. Therefore, the establishment of co-operatives groups has met expectation of both local authorities and people”, said Mr. Tran Quan Duong - Head of farmer group for veterinary services in Thai Hoa village at the establishment meeting.
Members of Doai Duyet cooperative group discussing their action plan
After participating in the training on veterinary knowledge organized by the project "Taking a value chain approach to improve rural livelihoods in the context of natural disasters and climate change” in Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province, 34 key farmers in 6 project villages acquired knowledge in animal husbandry practices and skills and have applied them to their daily animal raising. They thereafter become more confident in forming groups to offer veterinary services for other farmers. From January 14th-16th, 2014, two farmer groups of Doai Duyet and Thai Hoa villages for veterinary services were officially established.
The veterinary medicine cabinet of Thai Hoa farmer group
The farmer group for veterinary services in Doai Duyet village, consisting of 6 members, focuses on offering the locals advice on husbandry techniques, developing veterinary medicine cabinet for the members of the group, supplying inputs for livestock and poultry production as well as facilitating the trading of animal husbandry products. Besides providing the same services as their counterpart in Doai Duyet village, the farmer groups Thai Hoa village, meanwhile, have created a revolving savings fund with monthly capital contributions from their members to make loans to those who want to develop their production.
At their establishment meetings, members of 2 co-operative groups discussed and reached agreement on their long-term and short-term plans in 2014 as well as the contract for cooperation among group members which then will be submitted to the commune People’s Committee for certification.
In the near future, 2 cooperative groups for veterinary services and 3 groups for rice variety production are going to be officially established in the project area. The establishment of those groups stems from the aspirations and concerns of the locals. With good understanding of husbandry practices, clear operation plans, the consensus of all members along with supports from local authorities, 2 newly-formed cooperative groups are expected to become core actors in prevention disease on livestock and poultry in the locality. The farmer cooperative groups and cooperative group for veterinary services in particular is a sustainable approach, which not only strengthens community cohesion but also mobilizes local resources to support local authorities.
-SRD-
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
