The first training courses for women farmers, part of the "Food Security for Families and Preschools in Ban Ngo and Nam Dan" project, began in September.

After selecting 60 beneficiary women in collaboration with local authorities and the Women's Union of the two target municipalities—based on criteria such as poverty status, lack of a partner, and no prior participation in similar initiatives in recent years—GTV staff held two preparatory meetings in July 2024. These meetings introduced the project, explained the goals of the activities, and outlined the requirements for participation.

The importance of attending all the training sessions was emphasized to ensure the women could fully benefit from the project, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of the agricultural and livestock techniques they use in their daily lives. This is intended to increase their production and improve livestock management. All the women, who belong to ethnic minorities, rely on subsistence farming: they cultivate rice, corn, and vegetables primarily for their own consumption, and if there is a surplus, they sell it at the weekly local market. Some of them also raise a few chickens, goats, or small livestock, such as a buffalo or a cow.

The training courses, conducted by experts from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Center and the Plant Cultivation and Protection Center of the Xin Man district, are being held in the two municipalities of Ban Ngo and Nam Dan, with 30 women participating in each location. The sessions in Ban Ngo were held from September 17 to 18, 2024, while the remaining sessions in Nam Dan took place during late October.

At the end of the training courses, GTV’s project will distribute agricultural inputs such as seeds, seedlings, and small livestock to further strengthen the productive capacity of these women farmers.