Last September, ADC successfully organized some activities within the framework of WEAVE project

On 25/09/2017, ADC organized the Forum on Economic Contract and negotiated the signing of the Economic Contract. Attending the forum were officials from Thanh Van and Mai Lap Communes, the Coordinator Board, VSLA members, members of the cooperative, representatives of the Bac Kan Province Cooperative Alliance, Bac Kan Department of Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance and ADC staff.

The forum was organized to:

• Raise the knowledge and awareness of local people, banana growers on the economic contract and the implementation of the economic contract.

• Understand the importance of the economic contract (role, benefits, meaning in signing the economic contract)

• Understand the rights, obligations and responsibilities of individuals/ groups in ensuring the implementation of the economic contract.

• Complete the four-party commitment, the agreement signed with Minh Duong Enterprise and the Commitment to Quality of  Banana Products.

In the forum, Ms. Tran Thi Hien - representatives of the Bac Kan Province Cooperative Alliance introduced the participants about the importance of the economic contract. Regarding the quality assurance and product standards in, Ms. Nong Thi Tham, Director of Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department, exchanged opinions on the need to have the Certification of quality standards.

Ms. Tran Thi Hien shared at the forum

 

Participants discussed with each other at the forum

At the end of the forum, the participants understood the importance of the economic contract as well as the need to sign this contract.

Mr. Ha Van Huong - Chairman of Thanh Van Commune said, "Currently, Thanh Van Commune, together with the support of ADC has established an agricultural cooperative. In the near future, the commune would need ADC's support to connect and to expand the market as well as improve the capacity of the cooperative board. The application of science and technology to ensure that the products produced have high quality is very important. The negotiation of signing the economic contract plays a very important role for the upcoming activities of the cooperative. "

The next day- 26th September 2017, Dr. Sharman Stone, Australian’s Ambassador for Women and Girls had a working visit to WEAVE project area- Thanh Van Commune, Cho Moi District, Bac Kan Province. During this visit, Dr. Sharman Stone had the opportunity to visit the Village savings and loan association-VSLA, which was supported by CARE International in Vietnam, ADC and the Bac Kan Women's Union, and run by the ethnic minority women. In addition, Dr. Sharman has the opportunity to visit the native banana production area of the local people- with production techniques supported by ADC.

At the end of the visit, Dr. Sharman said "The fact that you are friends now, and you can then stand up tall and round with men and say we are equal, and we can be leaders as well, we know how to run the economy, and our work earns a lot,…. is all very good for Vietnam, but it’s also good for you, your villages, and your families".

On September 27, 2017, a meeting to draw experience on harvesting, selling banana of local people and buying banana of company was held with the participation of ADC, CARE International in Vietnam and coordinator board.

The shortcomings of banana product quality and selling and buying process between people and company, along with recommendations to overcome these shortcomings, were discussed thoroughly at the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, the Coordination Board and CARE and ADC have worked out a concrete plan of action in the near future to overcome the difficulties mentioned.

Participants in the meeting