Báo cáo Nghiên cứu khoa học Extension and Farmer Adoption

1 Milestone 8: Extension and Farmer Adoption Deliverables: • Training materials for extension worker training • Assessment of impact and appropriateness of training for extension workers and growers and survey of 2005 trainees to determine use of training material and uptake by growers • Quality specifications for at least 3 crops developed with assistance from Marketing Companies Training materials for extension work In addition to the training materials produced for the workshops in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Dalat and Can Tho (previously supplied), several factsheers for extension officers have been developed by the team: • Greenhouse tomato production • Greenhouse cucumber production • An economic analysis of greenhouse tomato and cucumber production • An introduction to hydroponic systems • what protected cropping systems have been trialled in Vietnam • what are the current recommendations • ideas on how to develop systems that are economically viable • retaining quality from farm to market This publication will provide a resource that can be updated as technology and systems continue to change in Vietnamese horticultural production systems (It is hoped that any remaining project funding can be used to publish this). In addition to this IAS has conducted a series of Farmer Field Schools (and developed materials for) looking at the safe production of vegetables (Appendix 2). Assessment of impact and appropriateness of training Participant surveys were undertaken for the Can Tho and Dalat workshops (Dalat survey workshop results attached as not previously supplied in earlier milestone – Appendix 3). To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of farmer and extension training activities several case studies were also undertaken. Some have been reported in a previous milestone (5) where we reported on how: 1. Research and extension personnel had developed low tech hydroponic systems and utilised these systems in their research activities. They are also called apon to give advice to companies such as Hanoi Seed Company who are looking to improve their hydroponic and greenhouse systems. 2. Mr Nguyen Hong Phong, Vegetable farmer and seedling producer, Lam Dong province, has applied what he has learnt from project activities including: • In-country training • Australian study tour • On-going advice provided by project staff In this milestone Dr Vinh (IAS) provides a further update (Appendix 3) on changes that Mr Phong has made since our previous milestone (also included). We can now see that not only has Mr Phong made changes to his production methods but he is now looking at implementing changes to his postharvest handling and marketing methods. 2 Mr Pham Van Dung (IAS) also interviewed 3 further farmers in Lam Dong province to find how the training in 2006 had impacted their production practices. Nguyen Van La (Phu Thinh - Kim Dong), Nguyen Van Khoi (Tan Tien – An Duong) and Nguyen Van Chuyen (Quy Nhat – Nghia Hang) were interviewed in August 2008 to determine what they had applied form the training courses in 2006. They were asked about how the project had helped them produce cucumbers or tomatoes and in particular what knowledge they had gained. Their responses were that they had learnt about: -safe vegetable production -using plastic mulch -how to graft tomatoes -what varieties have pest and disease resistance and how this can improve yield and reduce pesticide usage -how to apply IPM -postharvest management of their crop They were also asked what technologies they had applied. The most common changes that had taken place were: -using plastic mulch -using improved varieties They had also reduced their pesticide usage. Previously some growers had been spraying 15-20 times/crop but they had reduced this to 3-5 times/crop. When asked why they had made these changes, the growers responded that: -improved their return -reduced pesticide usage -improved yield and quality Ideally we would have undertaken a more extensive survey of the 2006 training participants, but as no baseline data was collected, the results would be hard to interpret. Also in the 2006 workshops, the number of farmers participating was relatively small, but this was rectified with the 2007 program. Quality Specifications As greenhouse producers are aiming for the top-end of the market, the best specifications for them to utilise are those developed by the supermarkets. As part of this project we held a series of discussions with Metro to discuss quality specifications, quality assurance and how Metro goes about engaging farmers. At our workshop in Can Tho, a number of the farmers asked specific questions of the Metro Can Tho management in how they might look to become a Metro supplier. Attached in Appendix 4 are 3 vegetable specifications. Discussions with the Metro Supply Chain Manager in Ho Chi Minh revealed that Metro often has difficulty meeting these specifications. They were actively seeking engagement with farmer groups through projects such as ours, as a way of trying to source product that was produced to their specifications. Whilst in the case of our project we had completed our training activities there is certainly the potential for other AusAID CARD projects to follow up on this. Metro was very keen to work in with projects that were providing farmer groups training in improved crop management and postharvest handling. This link would be worth pursuing for future CARD projects. 3 Appendix 1 – Fact Sheets 4 GROWING TOMATOES IN A GREENHOUSE 5 This is a technique that summarises the results of a research sub-project titled “Research on ability of groing tomatoes under polyethylene house in Lamdong“ implemented by IAS in co-operation with Gosford vegetables & flowers research Institute, Australia (Project 004/04 VIE). It is a new technique, high effect. The technical will be required material facilities: 1. The polyethylene house: The house frame are made of steel, rafter are bamboo, roof is made of polyethylene, gutter are made of corrugated iron; arris is 4m in height, the top of the house is 5.7m in height, the roof of the house are alternate and 0.7m in height. The house surrounded by polyethylene 0.5m in height from ground, 0.5m to 2.7m in height by net with mesh 2mm, from 2.7m to 4m in height by polyethylene. The columns of house are made of steel which fixed stakes in the ground 0.5m in deep and pour concrete 0.3m in height with 10cm in diameter. Between the stakes 7m in distance, block house 3m in long. 2. Trellising sytem (ứ = 3mm) have designed inside the house 2m in height from ground and parallel; two lines 0.5m in distance and the same as the tomatoes bed on the ground. 3. Irrigation system: 1 tank 2000 liter, 1 filter and drip irrigation with output about 1.5-1.7 L/ hour/hole. - The tank of water 3m in height and set up with filter, drip irrigation. - On the bed set up two lines 0.4m in distance . 4. Muching plastic on the bed before transplanting and make holes to grow. PROCEDURE OF TOMATOES GROWING TECHNIQUE 1. Seed Tomato varieties with promising characteristics such as good growing ability, high productivity good quality, pest tolerance were chosen. Curently, tomato varieties grown commonly in Lamdong province are Red diamond which yield up to 60-70 tons/ha, Anna 6 with 70-80 tons/ha. Beside these two varieties, Clarance and Labell, imported from Australia, can be reached high potencial productivity about 300-400 tons per ha. 2. Crop Because of growing in polyethylene house, tomatoes can be cultivated around the year. 3. Nursary a/ Prepration of media grow seedlings: Media include: peat (70%), cow dung (25-29%), coconut coin, lime, NPK fertilizer, Trichoderma fungi (about 1-5%). These ingredients were mixed well and in cubated 3- 6 months, then they were ground and put into holes of trays with moisture enough for good germination of seeds. b/ Sowing: Seeds were sown into holes by hand or special machine (one seed into one hole), then seeds were covered with a thin layer of media. Trays containing seeds were aranged into a block, then they were covered with canvas to stimulate germination. After 3 to 5 days, the seeds were germinated totally and trays were arangred on nursary to taking care them. Seedlings were irrgated 1-2 times per day, depending upon the moisture of the media. After 25-27 days of sowing, seedlings have 4-6 leaves, and then they were grafted with the rootstock of bacterial wilt resistant tomato. 10- 12 days after grafting, seedlings can be grown in the polyethylene house. The seedlings which grow in the polyethylen house are healthy plants 4. Transplanting and taking care a/ Prepare land, fertilizer - Tomato usually like pH 5,5-7,5 (suitable of pH 6,0-6,5). If the land is acid soil then could add more lime before cultivated. - The land were plough and clean weeds; made bed 1,2m in wide, 15-20cm in heigh, 25- 30cm in gutter. - Fertilizer: Amount of fertilizer for 1 ha grow tomatoes (to get yield about 150tons/ha) - Cow dung: 40-50 tons - Urea (46%N): 900-950kg - Supper phosphate (16% P2O5): 850-900kg - Potassium sulphate (62% K2O): 800-820kg Put down basic fertilizer all cow dung, supper phosphate and ẳ potassium sulphate on the bed side 10-15cm in deep and mixed. Amount of other fertilizer will be use for irrigation in next periods. b/ Transplanting and taking care Transplants per ha will from 23.000 (40cm x 60cm) Trellising sytem for tomatoes 7 - Trellis is a steel 20cm length that have 2 hooks. Nylon strings were rewinded into the trellis with the 8m length. - The nylon strings were replaced stake that to be hung with two lines 0.5m in distance and the same as the tomatoes bed on the ground. - The nylon string were rewinded the main stem of tomatoes. When the stem of tomatoes reached to 2m in heigh, 20cm of nylon string are took down by rotation of the hooks to make tomato plant fall down a little. Taking down every 4-5 days . c/ Take care - Tomatoes were drop irrigated 1-2 times per day depend on moisture of ground (with suitable about 70-80% for tomatoes to growing well). - To prune branch and fruit: 10 days after grown were pruned, only one main stem per plant and 4-5 fruits per cluster are kept. - Add water by coolnet to keep humidity in polyethylene house: The water were added the same as spray when plant growing at flower have fruirt set (suitable about 50- 55% of humidity). - Fertigation + 15 days after transplanting applied additional fertilizer by fertigation: 1time per week, 15 minutes per time. 3kg urea and 2kg postassium sulphate were soaked and filtered that diluted with concentrate about 0,5% for fertigation. + 35 days after transplanting will have increase number of time for fertigation: 5 days per time, 15 minutes per time. 5. Plant protection a/The main of insect and diesease In nursary: Concerning to damping-off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia) and to used pesticide with ẵ concentrate of recommended on label of the product. Leaf miner (Liriomyza tripholia): controlled by Ofunack, Trigard, Netoxin… Damping-off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia): controlled by Benlat C, Rovral, Ridomil, TopsinM In Polyethylene house Insects: little to occur: Leaf miner (Agromyza): controlled by Vectimec, Trigard, Polytrin…. Thrip (Thrips spp.): controlled by Supracide, Polytrin, Actara, Oshin… Aphids, white fly (Bemisia sp): controlled by Regent, Confidor, Actara, Mosfilan, Oshin… Diseases: There are some disease pests of tomato including bacteria, fungi, and viruses TYLCV: controlled by Confidor, Mosfilan, Actara, Oshin…. Early and late blights (Alternaria solani and Phytophtora infestans respectively) have similar problems as with potato. Both are controlled with fungicides. Rhizoctonia solani spp: controlled by Anvil, Validacin, Tilt, Monceren Notice: should be change the pesticide to useful and high effect. Bacterial wilt: controlled by using grafted seedling 8 b/ IPM * Cutural: Colection, remnants were destroyed after havest. Plough, applied additional lime (600-650kg/ha). Crop rotation were best menthod by lettuce, leaf vegetables,... * Biological: Should be used biology pesticide such as Bt, V-Bt, Pheromone, Neem,.. Fungicide: Trichoderma, Validacin,... 6. Harvest: The fruirt apperance were redden colour that can be havest. Using scissor cut between peduncle of single fruirt or a cluster that arranged in plastic container. 9 GROWING CUCUMBER IN A GREENHOUSE This is technique summarises results of a research project entitled “Research on ability of groing cucumber under polyethylene house in Lamdong“ implemented by IAS in co- operation with Gosford vegetables & flowers research Institute, Australia (Project 004/04 VIE). It is a new technique, high effect. The technical will be required material facilities: 1. The polyethylen house: The house frame are made of steel, rafter are bamboo, roof is made of polyethylen, gutter are made of corrugated iron; arris is 4m in height, the top of the house is 5.7m in height, the roof of the house are alternate and 0.7m in height. The house surrounded by polyethylen 0.5m in height from ground, 0.5m to 2.7m in height by net with mesh 2mm, from 2.7m to 4m in height by polyethylen. The columns of house are made steel which fix stakes in the ground 0.5m in deep and pour concrete 0.3m in height with 10cm in diameter. Between the stakes 7m in distance, block house 3m in long. 2. Trellising sytem (ứ = 3mm) have designed inside the house 2m in height from ground and parallel; two lines 0.5m in distance and the same as the cucumber bed on the ground. 3. Irrigation system: 1 tank 2000 liter, 1 filter and drip irrigation with output about 1.5-2l/ hour/hole. - The tank of water 3m in height and set up with filter, drip irrigation. - On the bed set up two lines 0.4m in distance . 4. Muching plastic on the bed before transplanting and make holes to grow 10 PROCEDURE OF CUCUMBER GROWING TECHNIQUE 1. Seed Cucumber varieties with promising characteristics such as good growing ability, high productivity good quality, pest tolerance were chosen. Curently, cucumber varieties grown commonly in Lamdong province are TN 140 which yield up to 30-32tons/ha. Beside these two varieties, Status and Tohoku, which are varieties from Australia, can be reached high potencial productivity about 100 tons per ha. 2. Crop Because of growing in polyethylen house, cucumber can be cultivated around the year. 3. Nursery a/ Prepration of media grow seedlings: Media include: peat (70%), cow dung (25-29%), coconut coin, lime, NPK fertilizer, Trichoderma fungi (about 1-5%). These ingredients were mixed well and in cubated 3-6 months, then they were ground and put into holes of trays with moisture enough for good germination of seeds. b/ Sowing: Seeds were sowing into holes by hand or special machine (one seed into one hole), then seeds were covered with a thin layer of media. Trays containing seeds were aranged into a block, then they were covered with canvas to stimulate germination. After 3 to 5 days, the seeds were germinated totally and trays were arangred on nursary to taking care them. Seedlings were irrgated 1-2 times per day, depending upon the moisture of the media. After 10-15 days of sown, seedlings have 4-6 leaves, cucumber can be grown in the polyethylen house. The seedlings which grow in the polyethylen house are healthy plants 4. Transplanting and taking care a/ Prepare land, fertilizer - Cucumber usually like pH 5,5-6,8 (suitable of pH 6,0-6,5). If the land is acid soil then could add more lime before cultivated. - The land were plough and clean weeds; made bed 1,2m in wide, 15-20cm in heigh, 25- 30cm in gutter. Fertilizer: Amount of fertilizer for 1 ha growing cucumber (to get yield about 50tons/ha) - Cow dung: 35-40 tons - Urea (46%N): 300-350kg - Supper phosphate (16% P2O5): 350-400kg - Potassium sulphate (62% K2O): 250-300kg Put down basic fertilizer all cow dung, supper phosphate, 1/10 amount of urea and 1/5 amount of potassium sulphate on the bed side 10-15cm in deep and mixed. Amount of other fertilizer will be use for irrigation next period. b/ Transplanting and taking care Transplants per ha will have from 23.000 (40cm x 60cm) Trellising sytem for cucumber - Trellis is a steel 20cm length that have 2 hooks. Nylon strings were rewinded into the trellis with the 8m length. - The nylon were replaced stake that to be hung with two lines 0.5m in distance and the same as the cucumber bed on the ground. 11 - The nylon were rewinded the main stem of cucumber. When the stem of cucumber reached to 2m in heigh, 20cm of nylon string are took down by rotation of the hooks to make tomato plant fall down a little. Taking down every 3-4 days. c/ Take care - Cucumber were drop irrigated 1-2 times per day depend on humidity of ground (with suitable about >80% for cucumber to growing well). - To prune branch and fruirt: 10 days after grown were pruned only one main stem per plant and 2-3 fruirts per cluster. - Fertigation + 15 days after transplanting applied additional fertilizer by fertigation: 1time per week, 15 minutes per time. 3kg urea and 2kg postassium sulphate were soaked and filtered that diluted with concentrate about 0,5% for fertigation. + 35 days after transplanting will have increase number of time for fertigation: 5 days per time, 15 minutes per time. 5. Plant protection a/ The main of insect and diesease Nursary: Concerning to damping-off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia) and to used pesticide with ẵ concentrate of recommended on label of the product. Both are controlled with Benlat C, Rovral, Ridomil, Topsin M Leaf miner (Liriomyza tripholia): controlled by Ofunack, Trigard, Netoxin… Polyethylene house Insects: little to occur: Aphids (Aphis cracivora Koch): controlled by Confidor, Actara, Thrip (Thrips spp.): controlled by Supracide, Polytrin, Actara, Oshin… Aphids, white fly (Bemisia sp): controlled by Regent, Confidor, Actara, Mosfilan, Oshin… Diseases: There are some disease pests of cucumber including bacteria, fungi, and many viruses Cucumber Mosaic Virus: The plant is stunted and foliage is mottled followed by occasional wilt and death of leaves. It is vectored by aphids and the cucumber beetle are controlled with Confidor, Mosfilan, Actara, Oshin…. Downy Mildew: (Pseudoperonospoa cubensis) is high in pickling cucumbers because they are planted at such high densities. Yellow and brown spots appear on the upper leaf surface, with a purplish mold on the underside. It is wind borne so it is practical to use resistant varieties. Notice: should be change the pesticide to usful and high effect b/ IPM * Cutural: Colection, remnants were destroyed after havest. Plough, applied additional lime (600-650kg/ha). Crop rotation were best menthod by lettuce, leaf vegetables,... * Biological: Should be used biology pesticide such as Bt, V-Bt, Pheromone, Neem,.. Fungicide: Trichoderma, Validacin,... 6. Harvest: The fruirt apperance were deep green colour that can be havest. Using scissor cut between peduncle of single fruirt or a cluster that arranged in plastic container and to transport for makets, supper makets. 12 ECONOMIC EFFECT OF GROWING TOMATO AND CUCUMBER ON GROUND AND ON MEDIA UNDER POLYETHYLEN HOUSE In collaboration with The Gosford Vegetables & Flowers research Institute, Australia, Vegetable Reaserch Department, Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam has conducted an experiment titled “Research on ability of groing tomatoes and cucumber under polyethylene house in Lamdong“ This is an activitiy belongs to Project of 004/05 VIE funded by CARD Program. The results of experiment showed that: - Tomatoes grown on the ground gave a benefit of 48,211,000VND, meanwhile tomato grown on media gave a loss of 23,276,000 VND per 1000m2. - Similarly, cucumber grown on the ground gave a benefit of 25,560,000VND meanwhile cucumber grown on media make a loss of 5,475,000 VND per 1000m2. The main reasons are that price of media is high and the management of nutrition in hydroponics was not so good as lacking of experience. Table1. Benefit of 1000m2 of tomato grown on ground in Lam Dong province Vietnam, 2007 No. Item unit Quantity Price (VND) Cost (VND) A Input I Material 1 Organic fertilizer m3 5 300,000 1,500,000 2 Lime kg 150 300 45,000 3 Urea kg 94 7,000 658,000 4 Super Phosphate kg 88 5,000 440,000 5 Kali Sulphate kg 80 7,000 560,000 6 Borax kg 5 12,000 60,000 7 Insecticides pack 50 20,000 1,000,000 8 Nylon for mulching roll 2 500,000 1,000,000 9 Grafted seedlings seedling 2700 380 1,026,000 10 Other 1 1,000,000 1,000,000 II Labour Person/day 140 50,000 7,000,000 III Annual input total (1) 14,289,000 IV Annual Depreciation (2) (plastic house and facilities) 5,000,000 V Total (3=1+2) 19,289,000 B Products (4) tons 15 4,500,000 67,500,000 C Benefit (5=4-3) 48,211,000 13 Table3. Benefit of 1000m2 of tomato grown on media in Lam Dong province Vietnam, 2007 No. Item unit Quantity Price (VND) Cost (VND) A Input I Material 1 Media m 3 40 1,000,000 40,000,000 2 Chemicals 10,000,000 3 Insecticide pack 50 20,000 1,000,000 4 Nylon for mulching roll 2 500,000 1,000,000 5 Grafted seedlings seedling 2700 380 1,026,000 8 Other 1,000,000 II Labour person/day 140 50,000 7,000,000 III Annual input total (1) 61,026,000 IV Annual depreciation (2) (plastic house and facilities) 5,000,000 V Total input (3=1+2) 66,026,000 B Products (4) tons 9.5 4,500,000 42,750,000 C Benefit (5=4-3) -23,276,000 Table 2. Benefit of 1000m2 of cucumber grown on ground in Lam Dong province Vietnam, 2007 TT Item unit Quantity Price Cost I Input 1 Organic fertilizer m 3 4 300,000 1,200,000 2 Lime kg 100 300 30,000 3 Urea kg 70 7,000 490,000 4 Super Phosphate kg 65 5,000 325,000 5 Kali Sulphate kg 60 7,000 420,000 6 Insecticide pack 40 20,000 800,000 7 Nylon for mulching roll 2 500,000 1,000,000 8 Seedlings seedling 2700 250 675,000 9 others 1 1,000,000 1,000,000 Labour labour 100 50,000 5,000,000 Annual input total (1) 10,940,000 Annual depreciation (2) (plastic house and facilities) 3,500,000 Input total (3) = (1)+(2) 14,440,000 II Out put (4) tons 8 8,000,000 64,000,000 II Benefit (5)=(4)-(3) 49,560,000 Table 4. Benefit of 1000m2 of cucumber grown on media in Lam Dong province Vietnam, 2007 14 TT Item unit Quantity Price Cost I Input 1 Media m 3 40 1,000,000 40,000,000 2 Chemicals 8,000,000 3 Insecticide pack 20 20,000 400,000 4 Nylon for mulching roll 2 500,000 1,000,000 5 Seedlings seedling 2700 250 675,000 6 others 1,000,000 7 Labour person/day 100 50,000 5,000,000 Annual input total (1) 56,075,000 Annual depreciation (2) (plastic house and facilities) 3,500,000 Input total (3) = (1)+(2) 59,075,000 II Out put (fruit) (4) tons 6,7 8,000,000 53,600,000 II Benefit (5=4-3) -5,475,000 AN INTRODUCTION TO HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT Sophie Parks A range of hydroponic systems are used for commercial production of vegetables. Essentially hydroponic systems supply nutrients to crop roots as a solution with the irrigation water. Roots are suspended in a still or flowing solution or the solution is fed through drippers to the plant supported in contained substrate. Soil is not used. Some different types of hydroponic systems are described below. All hydroponic systems need to provide plant roots with enough nutrients, water and oxygen for good growth. TYPES OF HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS Tank culture Tank culture is the simplest form of hydroponics. Plants are suspended by a cover over a tank of complete nutrient solution. Some tank systems require aeration of the nutrient solution (Figure 1). Figure 1. Aerated tank culture 15 In one type of system described by Kratky (2004) the solution is still and plants are supported by substrate within a small netted or perforated pot (Figure 2). The bottom of the pot is immersed in the nutrient solution which supplies the plant with nutrients and water through capillary action. The nutrient solution level drops as it is used by the crop until 10% of the original solution is left. The crop is then harvested or terminated. Figure 2. Still tank culture Four main concepts encapsulate still tank culture: • Exposure to air and high relative humidity is important for the upper part of the root system • Drying out of roots must be avoided • The lower part of the root system should gather water and nutrients • The nutrient solution level can either be maintained or lowered but cannot be raised (otherwise aeration of roots is reduced) Advantages of tank culture: • Simple to set up and manage • No pumps or electricity required • Very efficient in water and nutrient use • Only an initial application of nutrient solution is required Disadvantages of tank culture: • Not as suitable for long crops • High quality water is needed, as the salts increase in concentration, as the solution is used • Still nutrient solution can allow mosquitoes to breed Flowing culture In flowing culture plants are supported in a sloping shallow gully and the roots are suspended in a flowing stream of nutrient solution (Figure 3). This is also called the nutrient film technique (NFT). After passing down the gully the nutrient solution is collected in a tank and pumped back to the top of the gully to continuously recycle the nutrient solution. The gullies need to be large enough to support the root system of the 16 crop, and constructed to provide a constant flow rate of solution down each gully. Pooling of the nutrient solution along the gully also needs to be avoided. To maintain adequate aeration along the gully, the length ideally should be less than 30 metres and the slope steep enough to allow a good flow rate of solution. As the gully length increases, a steeper slope is required. Figure 3. Flowing culture Substrate culture In substrate culture plants are grown in a soilless substrate held within a container (Figure 4). The substrate does not have any nutrient value for plant growth. The substrate needs to have enough water holding capacity to maintain moisture around roots and also must provide enough aeration to prevent waterlogging. Examples of substrates include gravel, peat, coir, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, scoria and sawdust. Mixes of different products are also used. Water and nutrients are fed through a line supplying plants and the solution is allowed to drain through the substrate and openings at the base of the container. Enough nutrient solution is applied so that 10-20% drains from the pot. This prevents build up of salts in the substrate and maintains the solution around the root zone. The drainage solution (runoff) can be collected and continuously recycled through the system. This can be done manually. For example, a bucket could be used to collect runoff from a simple gravity fed system and returned to the raised solution feed bucket, or in larger systems, pumps can be used to return water to feed tanks. When this drainage is not recycled the system is known as a ‘run-to-waste’ system. Figure 4. Substrate culture Substrates in Vietnam 17 Vietnam has local sources of coir, peat and other products such as sugar cane waste, peanut husks, rice husks, and volcanic rock. Hydroponic tomato and cucumber crops have been successfully grown in Vietnam using combinations of these products. Providing that the crop is well managed, many products and combinations of products can be used as a growing medium. However, it is important to understand that products differ in their characteristics. For example over time, peat is difficult to rewet when compared with coir and other products. Vietnamese peat also has the ability to strongly fix phosphorus. Such characteristics are not a problem when taken into consideration in the irrigation and nutrition program. Advantages of flowing and substrate culture: • Suitable for long crops • Lower quality water can be used if a run-to-waste system is used, or if nutrient solution is changed frequently • Root zone solution can be fine tuned Disadvantages of flowing and substrate culture: • Setup can be expensive and require a continuous supply of electricity • These systems can be inefficient in water and nutrient use when nutrient solution is not reused. • Waste nutrient solution is produced • A high level of technical knowledge is required NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT OF HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS It is important to have at least a basic understanding of the nutritional requirements of plants, and of chemistry, in order to make up and manage hydroponic nutrient solutions. Plants require large amounts of the macronutrients: nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S); in comparison to the micronutrients: chlorine (Cl), iron (Fe), boron (B), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo). This is reflected in the concentrations of macronutrients and micronutrients that are found in typical hydroponic nutrient solutions. Preparing the nutrient solution For those new to hydroponics an easy option is to buy and use a prepared hydroponic fertiliser. Alternatively, a fertiliser mix can be made up with individual chemical compounds, according to a nutrient recipe. The nutrient solution is made to the concentration required for immediate use by the crop, or it is made up into two concentrated stock solutions for convenience. If buying a prepared hydroponic fertiliser, it is important to ensure that it contains sufficient calcium and magnesium. The hydroponic solution specialist Rick Donnan recommends that the content of calcium should be as much as, or up to 30% less than, the amount of nitrogen present. Magnesium needs to be at a content of about 20-30% of the amount of calcium present. Additionally he recommends avoiding fertilisers that contain urea, or those that have over 10% of total nitrogen in the ammonium form. It is often practical for commercial hydroponic growers to prepare concentrated stock solutions which can then be stored before being diluted and delivered to the crop. In this case two different stock solutions (labelled A and B), are needed to avoid precipitation of 18 calcium phosphate, calcium sulphate and iron phosphate in these highly concentrated solutions. The stock solutions are 100 to 200 times stronger than the solution given to plants. Stock solutions also need to be kept out of the cold, ideally between 27-30oC, to prevent precipitation. Most nutrient solution recipes in use commercially are generally similar in composition. An example of a nutrient recipe is the “Huett” lettuce formulation which is also suitable for tomatoes (Table 1). Table 1. Standard ‘Huett’ lettuce formulation. Recommended starting and to-up solutions are the same. Equal volumes of A and B stock solution are to be used. For starting solution, to 1000 litres of water add 3.4 litres of A and 3.4 litres of B. Solution Compound Elemental composition (%) Stock solution (g compound/L) #pH>6.0 pH<6.0 A Calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)2 – H2O 18.8 Ca 15.5 N 109 109 *Iron chelate (Fe EDTA) 13.2 Fe 5.6 5.6 B +(MAP) ammonium phosphate (NH4H2PO4) 12.2 N 26.9 P 8.7 Nil Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2 PO4) 28.7 K 22.8 P 16.3 29.0 Potassium nitrate (KNO3) 38 K 13 N 133.3 133.3 Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) 9.8 Mg 13 S 58.1 58.1 Boric acid (H3BO3) 17.7 B 0.35 0.35 Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O) 22.7 Zn 0.2 0.2 Manganous sulphate (MnSO4.H2O) 32.9 Mn 0.2 0.2 Copper sulphate (CuSO4.5H2O) 25.6 Cu 0.035 0.035 Sodium molybdate (Na2MoO4.2H2O) 39.7 Mo 0.01 0.01 *Adjust amount of iron chelate depending on elemental Fe content of chelate. +Increase amount in stock solution if pH is drifting upward in recirculating system. #If pH of nutrient solution in recirculating system is greater than (>) 6.0. Managing irrigation and the nutrient solution Still tank culture, as described by Kratky (2004), is designed to require only simple nutrient solution management. Once the solution has been made up to the desired concentration, which depends on the tank size and crop type, enough is added to the tank to last for the duration of the crop. In flowing and substrate culture, nutrient management becomes more complex, particularly when solutions are recirculated. A crop will perform best when the grower aims to keep conditions constant around the plant roots. 19 There are some simple tools available that can be used to assist in the management of water and nutrients around the plant roots. These include monitoring of runoff volume in substrate systems, and testing the solution for acidity/alkalinity (pH), nutrient concentration (electrical conductivity or EC) and nitrate concentration. In NFT systems you can simply monitor the recirculating solution. In substrate systems, the runoff/drainage solution from plant substrates is collected over a 24 hour period for monitoring purposes. If measurements are made on a daily basis, these factors can be viewed over time along with the crop performance history, to help the grower make crop management decisions. Percentage runoff Percentage runoff is useful for tailoring irrigation to the conditions as it provides an indication of plant water use. You will need to know the volume of water being delivered to each plant (water input) in this time to calculate the percentage runoff. To measure percentage runoff, collect the runoff from several plants in a container over a 24 hour period. You will need to know the volume of water being delivered to each plant (water input) in the 24 hour period to calculate the percentage runoff. Percentage runoff should be below about 20%. Use the following equation to calculate percentage runoff. Percentage (%) runoff = water input volume X 100 runoff volume As a system is managed more efficiently the percentage runoff is reduced. Efficient systems produce less than 5% runoff. Maintaining pH and EC levels The acidity or alkalinity (pH) of a feed solution generally needs to be between 5.5 and 6.5. The requirements may vary depending on the crop being grown. Chemicals can be used to adjust the pH of the solution being delivered to the crop. To reduce the pH phosphoric acid or nitric acid is used and to increase the pH potassium hydroxide is used. As plants take up nutrients and water from the solution the pH may drift around the root zone. Monitoring the runoff solution over 24 hours, particularly from substrate systems, provides an indication of the pH in the root zone. The pH of runoff solution should be about 6.0-7.0. If this drifts, the ratio of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen in the feed solution can be adjusted to correct the root zone pH. The target EC of a nutrient solution can vary according to the crop being grown, stage of growth and climatic conditions. The most common unit of measurement for EC is milliSiemens per centimetre (mS/cm). First, water quality needs to be assessed before being used for hydroponic solution. Water can contain dissolved ions such as sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate increasing the EC. Species differ in their tolerance of higher solution EC (salinity). For example, tomatoes are considered tolerant, cucumbers moderately tolerant and capsicums sensitive to high solution EC. At an EC of 4.5 mS/cm tomatoes may not experience reduced growth but capsicums may suffer a 25% reduction in growth. Lettuces are grown at a lower EC range of between 0.5-2.5 mS/cm. In substrate systems the EC of runoff solution is an indication of the root zone EC. When a plant is fruiting or experiencing hot and windy conditions more water is taken up by the plant than nutrients, increasing the EC of the root zone solution. In this situation damaging levels of EC in the root zone can be avoided by lowering the EC of the feed solution or by increasing the amount of runoff (i.e. increase volume of feed solution). 20 Treatment of waste nutrient solution or runoff Waste nutrient solution can become a serious environmental problem if it is not treated appropriately. A substrate system that does not recirculate drainage produces more waste nutrient solution than other types of systems. Systems that do recirculate nutrient solution require periodic nutrient solution replacement and so still produce some waste solution. A simple and effective treatment of runoff waste water can be achieved using a constructed reed bed or a wetland system. The waste water enters the reed bed or wetland system and the waste nutrients are removed through filtration and by vegetation. The wetland system itself can produce crops such as kang kong. References and resources: Badgery-Parker, J. 2003. Managing waste water with a wetland, NSW Agriculture, Orange, Australia Casper Publications web site: Dirou, J., Headley, T., Huett, D., Stovold, G. and Davison, L. 2003. Constructing a reed bed to treat runoff water – a guide for nurseries NSW Agriculture, Orange, Australia. Huett, D. 1993. Managing nutrient solutions in hydroponics. NSW Agriculture, Orange. Kratky, B. A. 2004. A suspended pot, non-circulating hydroponic method. Acta Horticulturae 648, 83-89. Mason, J. 2005. Commercial Hydroponics. 2nd Ed. Kangaroo Press, Sydney Australia. Morgan, L. 2003. Hydroponic Lettuce Production, A comprehensive, Practical and Scientific Guide to Commercial Hydroponic Lettuce Production. Casper Publications, Sydney, Australia. 21 Appendix 2 HRDP-IV. IAS UPDATE NEWS TRAINING AND ORGANIZING FARMER’ FIELD SCHOOL AND FARMERS’ EXPERIMENT (activity of IAS, 1-3 December 2006) Reported by Dr. Ngo Quang Vinh From 1 to 3 of December, 2006 a training course titled “ Training and organizing Farmer’ Field School (FFS) and Farmers’ Experiment (FE)” was conducted in Tra Vinh. The training course gathered 45 farmers from Safe vegetable production group (7 women) and it is given lectures by 1 Dr., 2 MScs. 2 BScs. specializing on IPM, Plant Protection and PAR. The course spent 2 days and a haft in class room and a haft day on the field for practice. Purpose of the training: 1. Introduce farmers and Local authority the necessary of “ farmers research and solve their problem themselves” and the new way/approach to help farmers of Agricultural or Science Institution. 2. Concept of Participatory Action Research (PAR), method to organize group of PAR farmers and conduct activities. 3. Help farmers to organize 3 groups of PAR and guide them to conduct 6 FFSs and an FE with the help of facilitators (Leading farmers, Extension Staff and IAS staff). 4. Discuss and make plan to conduct FFS with pak choi, Chinese kale, lettuce and celery as well as an FE with selecting net to provide shade to coriander and celery 5. Improve key knowledge of farmers to participate PAR group including: • IPM principle on vegetable and apply it in production of pak choi, Chinese kale, lettuce and celery. • Basic understanding about disease, basic understanding about chemicals for disease control, use chemicals to control disease in IPM on Vegetables. • Basic understanding about insects, basic understanding on chemicals for insect control, use chemicals to control insects in IPM on Vegetables (learning in class and practice on the field to identify diseases and insects) • Contain and method of learning on the field (observe, discuss, take notes …) with guideline to take notes • Contain and method of learning in the PAR club (problems, discuss, solution or methods …) 6. Guide farmers to make insect-traps and raising worm to have adult insects that used for learning and applying into their insect control Results of the training • Participants understand lectures and happy to join PAR groups. • 3 groups of FFS are organized with 1 head farmers and 2 facilitators (leading farmer, Extension staff, IAS staff). Each group will conduct 2 FFSs in 2 crops (times). • 3 FFSs and 1 FE will be conducted on December, 3 other FFSs will be conducted on January 2007. 22 Next activities As the plan, on 10 and 11 December 3 group of FFS will organize the first meeting with joining of IAS, AEC staff (as facilitators). The meeting will discuss more detail and decide (by farmers themselves) all things about organization and technical problem that each group has to do. After the meeting, FFS and FE will be started. 23 Appendix 3 Dalat Training Course and Case Studies REPORT ON DALAT TRAINING COURSE 1. TITLE OF TRAINING COURSE Workshop on Quality Assurance, Post harvest and horticultural “Good Agricultural Practice” Protected cropping systems 2. Introduction - DATE: 3-4 May, 2007 - PLACE: Dalat city, Lamdong Province, Vietnam - Orgnizational board: + In Vietnam: Dr. Le Thi Khanh, Head of Horticulture Department Dr. Tran Van Minh, Director of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry (HUAF) Dr. Nguyen Van Ket, Dean of Agronomy Faculty, Dalat University MSc. Le Thi Nhu Bich, Vice Dean of Agronomy Faculty, Dalat University Eng. Ho Cong Hung, researcher of Horticulture Department MSc. Nguyen Dinh Thi, Teacher of Plant Physiology Department + In Australia: Dr.Suzie Newman, Research Horticulturist (Post harvest) Dr. Nguyen Quoc Vong, Research Horticulturist (Plan breeding) Dr. Sophie Parks, Research Horticulturist (Plant Physiology) Mr. Joseph Ekman, Extension Horticulturist (Quality Assurance Systems) - Resource persons: + Lead farmers from Provinces of Central Vietnam +Extensionist, PPD come from 12 Provinces of Central Vietnam (Nghean, Hatinh, Quangbinh, Quangtri, Thua Thien Hue, Danang, Quangnam, Quang ngai, Binh dinh, Phu yen, Khanh hoa, Ninh thuan) + Leaders from Companies (Organik Company, Clean soil Company), Farmings, PPD + Provincial government office in charge of agriculture, Farmings from seeds and seedling producers + Seed distributors or sellers + Representatives come from Universities (HUAF, Dalat University, Thu Duc University from Ho Chi Minh City) + Representatives come from Lam Dong Province, Districts belong Lam Dong Province + Representatives come from companies: Ho Chi Minh city, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province, Danang city + Reporters from Gosford Horticultural Institute, RIFAV, IAS, Ho Chi Minh Univesity, HUAF 3. Objective Providing basic knowledge on Quality Assurance, Post harvest and horticultural “Good Agricultural Practice” Protected cropping systems; to exchange and to share experiences and information among participants for vegetable development safe in Central Vietnam 4. Program of training course 4.1. Reporter - The Theory : + Green house crop production 24 +Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Port harvest quality management - from farm to market + Vegetable production and to apply of high - technology in vegetable growing in Vietnam, high - technology Vegetable and flower development in Dalat and Lam Dong Province + Processing technology of vegetable from vegetable Companies + To approach new techniques for farmers + To exchange and to share experiences and information among participants 4.2. To visit To visit vegetable hydroponics in Dalat University, processing house from Organik Companies, Vegetable Farms, Net house and vegetable growing in net house in farmers Dalat 4.3. To discuss, exchanging and sharing experiences - Discussion, exchange experiences together in the meeting room thought pictures, to talk themself 5. RESULTS The training course opened on 3-4 May, 2007 by Dr. Le Thi Khanh, Head of Horticulture Department; Dr. Tran Van Minh, Director of HUAF and 68 participants from Lead farmers, Extensionist, PPD from Provinces of Central Vietnam Leaders from Companies (Organik Company, Clean soil Company), Farmings, PPD, Provincial government office in charge of agriculture in Dalat Time from 3 to 4, May 2007, 9 lectures and 9 special topic have been presented by 9 speakers who are Doctors from RIFAV, HUAF, IAS Total: 68 trainees are lead farmers, Extensions, lead farmers, PPD, Companies, leader from local, government In which Female: 16 trainees occupying 23.5 % Male: 52 trainees occupying 76.5 % * On 3 May, contents of the presentations and practice covered on: - In the morning: (On 3 May,2007) +Introducing CARD 004/04VIE project + The Challenges of Vietnamese horticultural industry in the new era of WTO + Greenhouse crop production + High - tech Agriculture and orientation of approach + To apply of high - tech and orientation of high - technology Vegetable and flower development in Dalat and Lam Dong Province + Discussion among trainees this topics - In afternoon (on 3 May, 2007) + Vegetable production and to apply of high - technology in vegetable growing in Vietnam + Port harvest quality management - from farm to market + Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) + Production and distribution of safe vegetable from Central Vietnam Provinces + Discussion among trainees this topics 25 - on 4 May, contents Field trips: + Visiting on net house and production vegetable in net house, + Vegetable organic + Post harvest technology + Store technology + Processing technology + Discussion among trainees this topics * Discussion and evaluation of the training course Total participants in training course are 68 people who are invited from main from lead farmer, extensions, PPD, Provincial government office in charge of agriculture, Companies, seeds sellers, producers product seedlings Every participant was provided a set document in which all reporters were given. Basing on the activities of the training course and especially, the evaluation of participants, it could be said that training course has been successful. The aims of training course have been obtained. The documents of work were requested by farmers in Central Vietnam 6. FEEDBACK FROM TRAINEES - To sum up from evaluation opinion of trainees: 68 evaluation papers have been done (including participants were given certificate) Table 1. The results of feedback from training course on 3-4 May, 2007 IN Dalat city (unit: %) No. and item Agree of participants % Clearly 100 1. Objective of training course Not very clear 0 Very good 100 Good 0 2. Objective of training course obtained Fairly 0 Very co responsively and very well 100 Corresponsive and well 0 Fairly 0 3. Teaching method and level of teachers and reporters presented (correspond with extentionists and farmers) Not corresponsive and well 0 Very good and useful 100 Good and useful 0 4. Content of training course Poor and unuseful 0 Very good 18.8 Good 8.1 5. Learning of participants/Participation of trainees Fairly 73.1 Well 100 Fairly 0 6. Communicate ability of teachers in training course Bad 0 Very good and enought 0 Good and enought 100 Fairly 0 7. Documents and facilities for presentation of raining course Poor and lack 0 Enough/OK 6.3 8. Duration of training course Too long 0 26 Too short 93.7 - Accommodations: 0 Good 0 Fairly 0 Not good 0 - Training made you like 37.5 9.Other idea Like very much 62.5 Like not very much 0 - The results of feedback from 68 participants: VERY GOOD Basing on the activities of the training course and especially, the evaluation of feedback training course with results have been successful, objective of training course obtained. - Recommendation: + 100% of trainees suggest to continue to organize more training courses on Curriculum Development for post harvest technology and marketing of vegetables in Dalat + The lead farmers think that the farmers not yes create network from production to post harvest, marketing and consume. Because they are very poor, so low invest, bad technology, enough communicating condition + 100% of trainees suggest to thank HUAF to help them to consume their vegetable to supermarkets.... + 100% of trainees think that they can production safe vegetable if they ware helped from government 7. INDEX 7.1. SCHEDULE OF TRAINING COURSE Schedule of Dalat workshop (Date 2- 4/5/2007) Time Activity Responsible Date 2/5/2007 Afternoon Representatives arrive, check in and have dinner in Hong Van Hotel Organizing board Date 3/5/2007 7h30 -8h00 Welcoming, receiving materials Organizing board 8h00-8h10 Opening session Prof.Dr.Tran Van Minh (HUAF) 8h10-8h25 Introducing CARD 004/04VIE project Dr.Le Thi Khanh 8h25-9h25 The Challenges of Vietnamese horticultural industry in the new era of WTO Dr.Nguyen Quoc Vong 9h25 -9h40 Coffee break and take photograph for memory Representatives 9h40- 10h40 Greenhouse crop production Dr. Sophie Parks 10h40-11h20 High - tech Agriculture and orientation of approach Dr. Ngo QuangVinh 11h20-12h00 To apply of high - tech and orientation of high - technology Vegetable and flower development in Dalat and Lam Dong Province Dr.Nguyen Van Ket (Dalat University) 12h00-13h00 Lunch at Hong Van Hotel Representatives 13h00 -14h00 Vegetable production and to apply of high - Dr. Tran Khac Thi 27 technology in vegetable growing in Vietnam (RIFAV) 14h00-15h00 Port harvest quality management - from farm to market Dr.Suzie Newman 15h00-15h15 Coffee break Representatives 15h15- 16h45 Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) KS.Joseph Eman 16h45- 17h15 Production and distribution of safe vegetable in Thua Thien Hue Hue Province Dr. Le Thi Khanh 17h15-17h45 Discussion Representatives 18h30 -21h00 Dinner (a familiar meal in Hong Van Hotel) Organizing board Date 4/5/2007 7h30-11h00 Field trips: (visiting some places: high - technology Vegetable and flower production in Agronomy faculty- Dalat University; Organic vegetable Company; Vegetable and flower farm from some lead farmers; Vegetable - flower market) Organizing board 11h00-11h30 Closing session Prof.Dr.Tran Van Minh (HUAF) 13h30-17h30 Australia team and Hue team visit farm in Duc Trong District (Model from Dr.Vinh ) Organizing board 7. 2. LIST OF TRAINEES 7.2.1. LIST OF TRAINERS AND REPRESENTATIVES No Full name Address 1 Prof.Dr.Tran Van Minh HUAF 2 Dr.Nguyen Quoc Vong Gosford Horticultural Institute 3 Dr.Suzie Newman Gosford Horticultural Institute 4 Dr. Sophie Parks Gosford Horticultural Institute 5 KS.Joseph Eman Gosford Horticultural Institute 6 Dr. Tran Khac Thi RIFAV 7 Dr.Nguyen Van Ket Dalat University 8 Dr. Ngo QuangVinh IAS 9 Dr. Le Thi Khanh HUAF 10 Gregory Faupvet Metro, Da nang 11 Phạm S Provincial government office of agriculture, Lam Dong Province 12 Dr. Tran Quoc Hung Viet lam Company, Dalat 13 Dr.Le Van Huong Nuiba national center, Đalạt 14 Dr. Pham Xuan Tung Potato and flower research Center, Dalạt City 15 Dr. Nguyen Ba Hung Organik Company, Đalat 16 Dr. Paul Olivier Vegetable Postmarked Company, Dalat 17 Dr. Park Young Bae Hi-technology Agricultural Company, Korea (in Dalat) 18 Dr. Kim Jin Kook Agricultural Produce Company, Dalat 19 Dinh Cong Muoi ASIA of Vegetable Export and Import Company in Lam Dong Province 28 20 Truong Tro Provincial government office of Science and technology, Lamdong Province 7.2.2. LIST OF TRAINEES attended in traing course No Full name Address 1 Hoang Kim Thu Duc University, Ho Chi Minh city 2 Nguyen Thi Hoa Dalat University 3 Ho Cong Hung HUAF8888 4 Nguen Huu Duc Dalat University 5 LE Ba Dung Dalat University 6 Hoang Viet Hau Dalat University 7 Ho Thi Tuoi Dalat University 8 Ngo Minh Dung Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province 9 Nguyen Phong Farmer, Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province 10 Nguyen Thi An Extensionist,Vinh city, Nghe An Province 11 Ho Thi Quy Extensionist, Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province 12 Phan Van Thang Extensionist, Vinh city, Nghe An Pro. 13 Ngo Quang Vuong Farmer, Dong Vinh Commune, Vinh Nghe An Province 14 Vo Trong Hoe Farmer, Anh Son District, Nghe An Province 15 Nguyen Van Nien Farmer, Nghi Loc District, Nghe An Province 16 Nguyen Trung Hai Extensionist, Dien Chau District, Nghe An Province 17 Nguyen Huu Ngoc Extensionist, Ha Tinh Province 18 Lam Xuan Thai Extensionist, Ha Tinh Province 19 Thai Thi Lam Extensionist,Vu Quang, Ha Tinh 20 Nguyen Van Minh Farmer, Nghi xuan District, Ha Tinh Province 21 Hoang Van Truong Extensionist, PPD, Quang Binh Province 22 Le Ngoc Duan PPD, Quang Trach District, Quang Binh Province 23 Hoang Van Nam Extentionist, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh 24 Nguyen Bay Extension staff, Quang Tri province 25 Pham Van Tuong Farmer, Đong Thanh Commune, Quang Tri province 26 Nguyen Van Hoa Farmer,Trieu Phong Province, Quang Tri province 27 Nguyen Thi Diem Farmer, Dong Ha Town, Quang Tri Province 28 Ng. Thị Thao Nguyen Extension staff, Thua Thien Hue Province 29 Nguyen Van Ty Farmer, Quang Thanh District, Thua Thien Hue Province 30 Nguyen Van Dung Farmer, Hoa Vang District, Da nang City 31 Pham My Linh RIFAV 32 Huynh Ngoc Lanh Seed Company, Da Nang City 33 Pham Van Vinh Farmer, Dai Loc District, Quang Nam Province 34 Đang Thien Extensionist, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province 35 Vo Nam Giang Extension staff, Quang Nam Province 36 NGuyen Dinh Vuong Farmer, Crops research center, Quang Nam Province 37 Nguyen Man Extensionist, Nghia Thanh District, Quang Ngai 29 Province 38 Nguyen Van Hai Farmer, Nghia Thanh District, Quang Nai Province 39 Vo Thi Van Extensionist, Nghia Dung District, Quang Ngai Province 40 Tran Thi Thu Ngan Extension staff, Quang Ngai Province 41 Nguyen Dinh Lam Farmer, Quang Ngai Province 42 Le Van Phung Farmer, Binh Tay District, Quang Ngai Province 43 Tran Van Tung Farmer, Quy Nhon City, Binh Đinh Province 44 Ho Van Hoi Extension staff, Phu Yen Province 45 Pham Tan Hao Farmer, Song Cau Districf, Phu Yen Province 46 Nguyen Sua Extension staff, Phan Rang Town, Ninh Thuan Province 47 Nguyen Van Manh Extension staff, Ninh Thuan province 48 Tran Thi Trang Extension staff, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province 49 Thai Thi Thu Hoai Farmer, Khanh Hoa Province 50 Bui Thi bich Van Tivilesion Center Dalat 51 Tran Quoc Toan Agricultural magazine in T.T HueProvince 52 Tran Ngoc Nghi Farmer, Đalat City 53 Đo Thanh Hựng Leader of Xuan Huong Commune, Dalat 54 Pham Cong Dinh Leader of Commune 6, Dalat 55 Tran Van Lien Farmers association of Dalat City 56 Luu Minh Tuan Farmers association of Lam Dong Province 57 Tran Duc Quang Phuoc Thanh Commune, Dalat City 58 Vo Thanh Liem Clear soil Company, Ben Tre Province 59 Vo Thi Minh Nguyet Clear soil Company, Ho Chi Minh city 60 Tran Nguyen Hung Clear soil Company, Ho Chi Minh city 61 Tran Van Hao Organik Company, Dalat Province 62 Nguyen Hoai Thuong Organik Company, Dalat Province 63 Hoang Thi Thuy Phong Thuy Farming, Dalat Province 64 Ngo Van Chinh Phong Thuy Farming, Dalat Province 65 Nguyen Van Huong Phong Thuy Farming, Dalat Province 66 Nguyen Van Dao Trang Nong seed Company 67 Nguyen Van Chuong Xuan mai Company, Ho Chi Minh City 68 Vu Tuan Minh HUAF 30 STORY ABOUT MR. NGUYEN HONG PHONG, A CASE JOINED STUDY TOUR IN AUSTRALIA WITH ASSISTANCE OF IAS AND AusAID Information and photo by Ngo Quang Vinh, May 2008 Mr. Nguyen Hong Phong, 45 years old, living in Lien Nghia Town, Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province, is one of 4 people participated in the study-tour to Gosford Horticultural Institute, NSW, Australia from October to November 2006. Three of 4 people are researchers of IAS, FAVRI and HUFA participated the tour by finance of AusAID, CARD-Program, only Mr. Phong is a farmer, who joined the tour by his own finance. However, after the tour, Mr. Phong has changed his awareness about production and marketing as well as has defined for himself an orientation of vegetable production sustainable. 1. Changing in awareness and action For long time, Mr. Phong as the same as other vegetable growers in Vietnam just only do growing and selling their vegetables to middle-men. They do not care about after that. So, vegetable prices and their incomes belong to middle-men. With customers they also have no responsible about qualities of their products. From visiting vegetable production and consumption in Australia he recognized that producers must join the chain of production-supplement and consumption. Especially, producers must shoulder their responsible about vegetable quality right in their farms. In this case grower will get better income by selling their “responsible and prestige”. With this awareness, Mr. Phong has decided to organize production in liking with markets. Moreover, he ordered other farmer growing and providing him good vegetables and selling products directly to supermarket with vegetable labeled his name. All his products are packed in good and suitable containers. This is the task that he and others had never done before. In order to do this, Phong has constructed 100m2 house for post-harvest. Tomato, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, lettuce, sweet potato and potato are gather here, made clean and packed. About 10 workers working for him here. In 2007 and 2008, Phong provided to Saigon Co-opmart with 60-100 tons of vegetables/month 2. Changing in orientation and techniques of vegetable production Society and demanding of people are being changing forward to better and safer agricultural products. Customers will pay more and more attention to qualities of vegetables. “Australia and other developed countries is a picture of Vietnam in future. We have all abilities to do as they do”, Phong thought, and he decided to go first in race for high level markets while others have no idea about this. Phong followed closely research process of Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam in Project supported by AusAID and Project supported by Lam Dong Province. In these Projects, IAS created model of growing tomato with Hi-tech orientation. Tomato is grown in plastic house in combination with several other advanced techniques. In our model, we got 15kg/m2 of tomato. Following our model, Mr. Phong got more than 20kg/m2 by using better varieties. So far he has 31 finished 2 such crops and has been harvesting the third crop with the yields estimated of 35-40kg/m2 depended on variety. This tomato is safe vegetable and sale directly to supper market with his farm name “Hong Phong”. About the orientation of development, Phong said that he would establish and develop a Hi-tech orientation farm in a natural area of 50 ha, in which about 30 ha vegetable with 5ha of plastic houses and 10ha of net-houses. The work is being started with 0.1ha of plastic house and 1ha of net-house and a house of 200m2 for post-harvest process. In the plan of 2008-2010, 3ha of plastic houses and 10 ha of net houses will be built together with 14ha opened field for safe vegetable production. In order to produce and sale vegetables, Phong organized a group of 7 farmers including his relatives and close friends. They made contracts with Saigon Co-opmart and Metro Cash and Carry to provide products. 3. Following orientation of Good Agriculture Practice, Phong has changed much in his management of crop following the orientation of GAP. In which most changing is that he paid more attentions to environment and his workers. He also has better farm records. Visiting his farm we will see a clean environment from the filed to the office. All waste of chemical packs are gathered, other garbages are collected and treated. Coming back from Australia, Phong invested to rebuild 200m2 of house for office, newly built 400m2 of house for grafting tomato. Most attractive is that Phong is the first person in Lam Dong has 2 automatic machines imported from Australia for sowing seeds. With workers Phong divided into specializing groups to have better management, paid better salaries and other offers. It can be said that in Lam Dong province, nobody has working condition for worker better than Phong. Phong is in plastic house of more than 30kg of tomato/m2 A corner of safe vegetable farm of Phong’s group 32 Report from Milestone 5 CASE STUDY 1: Mr Nguyen Hong Phong, Vegetable farmer and seedling producer, Lam Dong Province Throughout the course of the project, Mr Phong has been improving his seedling production and farming operation at Duc Trong in Lam Dong province and these improvements may be partially attributed to the training and on-going technical support he has received as a part of this project. This training has included: • the Australian study tour from the 2nd-29th July 2006 • advice provided by the Australian project team during their visits to his farm in February 2006, May 2006, October 2006 and May 2007 • assistance with acquiring and setting up 2 mechanical precision air seeders • ongoing technical assistance provided by Dr Vinh’s vegetable group at IAS. Uptake of technology and improvements to current practice has included: • the commissioning of 2 mechanical precision air seeders to enable Mr Phong to increase seedling output (Photos 3 and 4) • the improvement of working conditions for workers carrying out grafting operations. When we visited in February 2006, workers were undertaking grafting operations outside under netting but they now work in a purpose built shed. This has not only benefited workers but has led to greater efficiencies in the seedling operation (Photos 5 and 6). Phong is intoducing his postharvest process to CARD-PMU, Mr. Kieth and Ms. Juan A corner of a modern house for grafting tomatoes in Phong’s farm 33 Photo 3. Installing the mechanical precision air seeder – February 2006 Photo 4. Mechanical precision air seeders improving production efficiency – April 2007 Photo 5. Grafting operation carried out in greenhouse – February 2006 Photo 6. New grafting set-up in specially constructed shed with improved efficiency – April 2007 Photo 7. Mr Phong implementing new practices in his greenhouse. A variety trial in his greenhouse April 2007 Photo 8. Tomato variety trial on Mr Phong’s property – April 2007 34 Photo 9. Experimenting with new techniques Mr Phong’s greenhouse April 2007 • Following his trip to Australia, Mr Phong rapidly adopted hydroponic growing and adapted the system to make it suitable for use in Vietnam. He has also implemented changes in the way he manages his crop based on what he saw in Australia (Photos 6-9) • Mr Phong is keen to experiment with new varieties and currently runs a number of field and greenhouse variety trials on his property. (Photos 6-9). Mr Phong can truly be considered a farmer ‘champion’ and with his seedling operation producing seedlings for many farmers in the region, it is likely that the uptake by other farmers will be high. His position as a seedling producer is likely to have a major impact on tomato production throughout the region, facilitating the adoption of new technologies and approaches. Engaging farmers in study tours has certainly been a successful approach in encouraging rapid adoption of techniques and we would certainly recommend this approach in future projects.