Mr. Do Hnag Khanh presented on 'Key FPAR Learning and Draft Work Plans, Vietnam' at Regional Review and Planning Workshop 2017, Hanoi, Vietnam

1. THE MAIN RESULTS OF PROJECT IN VIETNAM
SUSTAINING AND ENHANCING THE MOMENTUM FOR INNOVATION AND
LEARNING AROUND THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION (SRI) IN THE
LOWERMEKONGRIVER BASIN (SRI-LMB)
Hanoi, 25 April 2017

2. OVERVIEW
A. Main activities and Results
B. Lesson learns
C. Recommendation for future activities
D. Work plan for 2017-2018

3. A. Main activities and Results in 2014-2016 period
• Preparatory activities
In April 2013, the Regional
Inception and Planning
Workshop was organized
in Bangkok (Thailand).
In May 2014, the National
Inception and Planning
Workshop in Vietnam
was organized in Hanoi.

4. Central Farmer’s Participatory Action
Research (CFPAR)
Central Farmer’s Participatory Action
Research (CFPAR)
• CFPAR commenced in winter spring 2015. During the CFPAR, the
DTs based on the local issues embarked on the FPAR curriculum
design and development of FPAR Field Guide to prepare for the
implementation of Farmer Participatory Action Research (FPAR),
beginning in the summer season 2015.
• The CFPAR trained 66 Technical Staff and Farmer Trainers.
- 16 District Trainers (10 from Bac Giang and 6 from Ha Tinh)
- 36 Farmer Trainers (22 from Bac Giang and 14 from Ha Tinh).
In the CFPAR a total of 6 field experiments and 2 SRI demonstration
plots were established.

6. No Activitiets Bac Giang Ha Tinh Total
1 Number of Central
Farmer’s Participatory
Action Research
1 1 2
2 Number of participants 33 33 66
3 Number of women 22 14 36
4 Number of Field
Experiments
3 3 6
5 Number of SRI
Demonstrations
1 1 2
CFPAR

7. Farmer’s Participatory Action Research (FPAR)
• In the first cycle of FPAR (2015) In summer season 2015, Technical
Staff and Farmer Trainers established over 12 experiments at 12
Farmer’s Participatory Action Research (FPAR) sites in Bac Giang
province.
• In the second cycle of FPAR (2016), 36 new farmers’ groups were
established.
• Total of 48 successful FPAR field experiments and 50 SRI
demonstrations fields (i.e., including 2 from the CFPARs) were setup
in both provinces from 2015 to 2016. In SRI demonstration fields,
depending on local conditions, farmers apply one or more SRI
principle/s such as transplanting young seedling at 2-2.5-leaf stage;
using one plant per hill at desired square-sharp spacing;
intermittent irrigation; use of rotary weeding and application of
more organic matter as basal fertilizer (e.g., animal manure).

9. FPAR 2015 - 2016
Time Activities Bac Giang Ha Tinh Total
Summer
season 2015
Number of FPAR 12 12
Number of famers 360 360
Number of FE 12 12
Number of SRI Demo. 12 12
Spring season
2016
Number of FPAR 12 12
Number of famers 360 360
Number of FE 12 12
Number of SRI Demo. 12 12
Summer
season 2016
Number of FPAR 12 12 24
Number of famers 360 360 720
Number of FE 12 12 24
Number of SRI Demo. 12 12 24

10. Main results of CFPAR and FPAR, 2015-2016
• In year 1 and 2, a total of 50 learning experiments were
conducted, including: 18 on transplanting density; 9 on
number of seedlings per hill; 10 on seed rates for
broadcasting; 6 on weed management; 4 on method of
potassium application and 3 on method of nitrogen
application. A total of 50 SRI Demonstration Fields were also
established.
• A total number of 2,281 farmers (560 men and 1,721
women) were directly involved in FPARs in the 1st and 2nd
cycles.
• A Field Day was organized for each FPAR with about 50
participants in each event, reaching a total of about 2,400
persons. In the Field Day, farmers shared results of SRI
demonstration fields and field experiments.

11. Yield gains, net-return of experiments
(SRI demonstrations and/or learning experiments)
• Yield Gains and Net Returns between SRI demonstration and FP fields in
Bac Giang

12. Yield gains, net-return of experiments (cont.)
• Yield Gains and Net Returns between SRI Demonstration and FP fields,
Ha Tinh 2016

13. Yield Gains and Net Returns from field experiments
Experiment on Number of Seedlings/hill in Bac Giang 2015-2016

14. Experiment on Seeding Rate, Bac Giang 2015-2016

15. Experiment on number of hills/m2, Ha Tinh Spring and Summer
season 2016

16. Experiment on weed management, Ha Tinh Spring and Summer
season 2016

17. Reduction of input costs between SRI demonstration and FP fields
Expenditures ofSRIfield in SummerSeason 2015 and 2016
VND 177,000
(1%)
VND 7,178,650
(25%)
VND 465,000
(2%)
VND 20,789,100
(72%)
Variety
Fertilizer
Pesticide
Labor
VND 1,516,200
(5%)
VND 6,901,000
(23%)
VND 566,000
(2%)
VND 20,710,500
(72%)
Variety
Fertilizer
Pesticide
Labor
Expenditures of FP field in Summer Season 2015 and 2016

18. Reduction of input costs between SRI demonstration and FP
fields in Ha Tinh
Expenditures of FP fieldinSpring Season 2016
12,700,000VND
(49%)
2,800,000VND
(11%)
8,180,000VND
(31%)
2,400,000VND
(9%)
Variety
Fertilizer
Pesticide
Labor
Expenditures of SRI field in Spring Season 2016
0, 0%
8,180,000 VND
(38%)
1,200,000 VND
(6%)11,900,000 VND
(56%)
Variety
Fertilizer
Pesticide
Labor

19. Key learnings
 Select the experiments to solve the problems in the locations:
e.g., transplanting density or seeding rates for broadcasted rice.
Almost all experiments and SRI demonstration fields will give
high yields and reduced expenses so the farmers and local
leaders are interested and support the project.
 Selecting fields for experiments should be according to the
purpose of experiment.

20.  Better preparation is needed before implementing field
experiment including selecting farmers, selecting fields,
selecting and layout of experiments and defining the survey
methods.
 The groups should be ready to deal with severe weather
conditions as flooding, drought, pest and disease occurrence.
Key learning (cont.)

21.  District Trainers should be equipped with enough knowledge as
to be able to explain to farmers about problems faced during the
implementation of the field experiments.
 It is a must to keep records in the Field Diary on the basic data to
calculate productivity, benefits and other things related rice
production.
 Select core farmers with good technical knowledge and
experience. The model using core groups of farmers to support
Farmer Trainers and District Trainers can be used to convince
local leaders and other farmers in the community about the SRI
project.
Key learning (cont.)

22.  The application of one or all of the SRI principles will
depend on the local conditions.
 To help farmers apply SRI practices and principles, we need
to enhance their knowledge and change their attitudes
(i.e., about old practices). On the other hand, we also need
to change the thinking of the government technical staff
and managers and lobby for support from local leaders.
 The main local rice varieties should be used for the
experiments.
 Select farmers who have NOT participated in FPARs in the
previous seasons.
Key learning (cont.)

23. C. Recommendation for future activities
 Local authorities should focus on directing and guiding farmers
to apply the SRI on a large scale.
 Continue to implement field experiments to evaluate the
programme's results and to encourage farmers to participate.
 The European Union and AIT should provide funding to expand
SRI on other crops (peanut, soybean, corn, etc.).

24. D. Work Plan for the year 2017
• Farmers' Participatory Action Research (FPAR)
in 2 provinces (24 FPARs)
• Carry out Study on Women and Landless
during implement FPARs
• National Review and Planning workshop
• Local Management Unit Meeting

25. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION