HEPA (Human Ecology Practical Area) Farmer Field School (FFS) is a pioneering training dedicated to strengthen indigenous youth. HEPA FFS lies at the heart of the 6 inter-thematic networks action of Mekong Community Network Action for Ecological Trading (MECO-ECOTRA).
Overuse of resources and the lack of a caring attitude towards Human-Nature relationships in many sensitive watershed ecosystems have been the major causes leading to land desertification problems, gradual erosion of social traditions, and the losses of ecological biodiversity.
Exchange labour between farms - miniature community on HEPA landscape
21/04/2014
To improve efficiency of agricultural production, besides understanding the technical aspects, farm managers need to well organize labour for farm activities. Exchange of labour between families is a long-standing culture of ethnic minorities. It is a way to create a large work-force when a family is not able to cope with the work-load alone or in time. It is also a cultural expression of love, mutual solidarity and sharing in the community.
FFS-HEPA has applied this exchange of labour in its activities under the general management of Phaly on the farms system of Linh Moc, Poovzoov, and Tôn Ka farms and the Office area. The managers of each farm decide the priority tasks for exchange of labour in rotation: today work in this farm, tomorrow the other farms if the works on the first farm have been finished. The results show that the farms are getting positive changes in practicing and developing (will be presented in following news).
Please share a few pictures of the exchange between students on Poovzoov farm.
Source: Phaly (FFS – HEPA)
Hoeing grass and preparing soil to plant vegetables
A Sri Lankan intern who is studying in FFS-HEPA is weeding and preparing the soil
News
Sustainable Ecological Livelihood and Food Sovereignty 
