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.
K2A and K3A students presented the result of eco-farming designing and planning to CHESH-Laos office
01/07/2014
K2A and K3A were classes of Lao students which included: Inta, A Nong, Pha Ly, Thang and U Dom. After nearly four years studying and practicing eco-farming in the HEPA Farm Field School (FFS-HEPA), Son Kim 1 commune, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province they were approved by the school leader to organize a field trip to come back their communities with the support of Loc Van Vin, a FFS-HEPA staff. This trip was to orient the design and planning of eco-farms for their families.
To achieve the objectives of the trip, from 22th May to 3rd June 2014 the group has come to each community and each family where students’ families are living to present the student results of study in FFS-HEPA. The group also shared with their community and their family the purposes of this trip, looking forward to receive their experiences and local knowledge on designing and building up a sustainable eco-farm at household level.
Anong was presenting about his ideas for the future with his Dad
An angle to look Udom family’s farm at Xang village
Udon was listening to an elder advice/sharing about eco- farming design
Thang was thinking about his farm in the future
Thang and his friends with his father were observing around the farm
After nearly 10 days hard working with the support of the families and communities to plan and design sustainable farms/eco- farms, on 6th of June, at CHESH Laos office, with the participation of Mr. Phon Det, Head of Planning and International Cooperation - Department of Agricultural and Forestry at Luang Prabang province, Mr. Phon Thip representative of CHESH Laos, the students presented their results of planning and designing their farms.
A Nong was presenting his family farm
Mr. Phon Det was assessing the study results and planned design of the farms
Mr. Phon Thip was giving comments for Thang’s farm
U Dom was presenting his family farm
The students got a lot of comments, encouragement and appreciation for their results in FFS-HEPA, Viet Nam. Through their presentation of planning and designing their own farms at their villages, Mr Phon Det and Mr. Phon Thip wished students success on building their expected eco-farms after finishing the study in FFS–HEPA.
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Sustainable Ecological Livelihood and Food Sovereignty 
