Ecological Farming training course launched for young Ethnic Minority farmers in Simacai, Lao Cai

• On July 22^nd 2016, the first training course ‘Agro-forestry and Veterinary Medicine’ was launched in the Farmer Field School in Simacai (Simacai district, Lao Cai). The training is co-organized by the Simacai District People’s Committee (DPC), Lao Cai Vocational Training College (VCT), and CIRUM, and will focus on ecological farming techniques for the young Ethnic Minority farmers of Simacai. 23 students and representatives from Simacai DPC, Lao Cai VTC and CIRUM were at the launching ceremony.
  The training course aims to raise local farmers’ awareness and capacity to practice ecological farming. Through technical and practical lessons, the trainees are able to enhance their knowledge and skills to cultivate crops, raise animals and manage forest-tree nurseries ecologically. Training on communication and sustainable energy systems for agricultural production is also included in the course.
  Students are young H’Mong and Nung farmers from 11 villages of Simacai district will attend this 2-month training course. Lessons will be given by teachers from Lao Cai Vocational Training College with support from CIRUM’s agricultural experts.
  
  
  Tran Xuan Huy, Vice Head of Simacai Department of Labour, War invalids and Social Affairs, talking about the need of capacity building training course for the local farmers/Photo: CIRUM
  
  
  Tran Xuan Truong, Vice Head of Lao Cai VTC, emphasizing partnership between Simacai DPC, CIRUM and the college in organizing this training course/ Photo: CIRUM
  
  
  Pham Duc Binh, Head of Lao Cai VTC Department of Studies, talking about objectives of this training course/ Photo: CIRUM
  
  
  Leng Van Suong, FFS Simacai Alumni, talking about accomplishments of former students /Photo: CIRUM
  
  
  Cu Seo Din, student, sharing his excitement to join this practical training/ Photo: CIRUM
  
  
  Nguyen Van Su, CIRUM’s Vice Director, talking about the course’s expected outcomes and outputs/ Photo: CIRUM
  
  
  Participants at the launching ceremony/Photo: CIRUM
  
  This training course is a foundation to implement the program ‘Capacity Building for Ethnic Minority People in Simacai’ which was approved by Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee to alleviate poverty.