Context:

This project will take place in the district of Xin Man, in the province of Ha Giang, one of the poorest Vietnamese provinces, located in the north of the country on the border with China. The population largely belongs to ethnic minorities, especially the Nung (41.82%) and H'mong (23%) groups and does not speak the Vietnamese language, which is only learned at school.
The territory is mountainous and difficult to access, with low-altitude forests and barren land, transport and movement are very complicated.
Families are mainly dedicated to subsistence agriculture, the production of which depends on seasonal rains. Thanks to the implementation of a national program for the reduction of poverty and hunger in the mountain areas of ethnic minorities (2012-2018) in Xin Man the poverty rate fell from 46.82% (2012) to 44.02% ( end 2018). At the end of 2020, the poverty rate was 32% with 4,464 households considered poor by the national standard. However, the reduction of poverty in the area is hampered by low investment in infrastructure, the high rate of illiteracy and widespread malnutrition.
In Ha Giang, the work of women is fundamental for the family economy, as they are active in agricultural activities (the proportion is 98.7% among the H'mong people and 90.5% among the Nung ethnic group. in 2019) and as the main responsible for domestic work. The general illiteracy rate is very high among ethnic minorities (H'mong, 88%) and even higher among women, who more often drop out of education and do not have sufficient calculation and accounting skills. Men, with better education, are more likely to work outside the built-up area.
Most of the training sessions offered in the area are in Vietnamese and women are often the most excluded in accessing this type of training, both for language and for
overlap with housework and care. Families headed by women are more vulnerable to food insecurity.
Finally, early marriages (still widespread in the area) and malnutrition cause serious health problems for women and their minor children: children born in large families often suffer from malnutrition, illiteracy and little chance of improving their socio-economic condition .

Actions:

The project will involve 60 women living in three villages in the Xin Man district, operating in family farming.
The aim of the project is to empower women active in family farming activities through a specific training program, to support their food production and consequently improve their nutrition and that of their families. In the long run, we want to help go beyond mere subsistence production, with the accumulation of a surplus that can be sold on the market for a more secure income.
The actions of the project will include four types of training provided in the local language:
- Training on nutrition, on the general principles of how to prepare a nutritious meal; learn about food groups and their role in a healthy diet; dietary pyramid;
- Training on agriculture and fertilization, with contents such as: ie correct use of manure and fertilizers, use of biofertilizers, how to recognize plant diseases early, how to apply standards for plant cultivation;
- Training on animal husbandry, on how to recognize animal diseases early (cattle and goats in particular), how to breed better and how to make the most of "goat breeding". Goats are the most suitable animals for the destination area thanks to their excellent adaptability to difficult mountain conditions and high resistance to diseases.
- Basic accounting training, how to increase planning skills in running a family farm, how to make profits in selling surpluses..

Expected Results:

It is expected that women involved in the project will be able to manage/co-manage family farms more efficiently, having access to better nutrition for themselves and their family while producing more products for the market, improving their income and become less vulnerable to the harsh conditions of their territory.

News:

• January 24th 2023 - A new project for women farmers
• February 7th 2023 - Training courses for women farmers ended
• October 18th 2023 - Delivery of the last goats and closure of the Women in Agriculture project

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