From November 25–26, 2025, a survey and training course on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and Internal Inspectors was held at the Minh Thanh Cooperative. The program was designed according to the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Center for Climate Change in Central Vietnam and was directly instructed by Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Binh, Director of the Center for Organic Agriculture at the Vietnam National University of Forestry.
The course was attended by 28 participants, including cooperative members specializing in rice and cucumber production in Hamlets 3 and 8, as well as key cooperative leaders, party cell secretaries, and hamlet heads. Participants attended fully and seriously, actively engaging in learning activities and group discussions throughout the training.
The training content focused on introducing the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS); the concepts and principles of organic agriculture; the basic standards of the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA); organic rice and cucumber cultivation processes; and the essential methods and skills of an inspector. Participants were guided on developing farm management plans, maintaining logs, and preparing inspection reports for both fields and processing areas.
The course followed a learner-centered approach, combining presentations, group discussions, practical exercises, and “learning through play” activities. Additionally, the program included field surveys in Hamlets 3 and 8, where soil and water samples were collected for environmental analysis and compliance checking against PGS requirements.
At the conclusion of the training, the organic rice and cucumber production groups were guided in completing their PGS application dossiers, including individual commitment forms, group regulations, and production area maps. The close coordination between the trainers and the Minh Thanh Cooperative ensured the effectiveness and quality of the program.
This survey and training course serves as a vital preparation step, laying the foundation for the establishment and operation of the PGS system at Minh Thanh Cooperative. It aims toward developing sustainable and transparent organic agriculture with community participation, in line with the project’s objectives.
SELECTED PHOTOS OF CLASSROOM AND FIELD ACTIVITIES
