Mr. Lounvilay Kaosy
Current Position: Extension Officer, Upland Agricultural Development Center
Responsibilities: Teaching resource-poor farmers to be more efficient in agriculture production
Class of 22nd RTC (2003-2004). Sponsored by SDC
Mr. Lounvilay found the 5 months course too long and felt that a three-month course would be adequate if marketing is included. Another weakness of the former course is the minimal attention to working with farmers. He learned about composting and mulching which is being taught to farmers in the Farmer Field School organized under the HRDP Phase IV. Moreover, he found that the computer provided was not very useful for lack of technical support and no access to the internet.
Mr. Sangthong Silaphone
Current Position: Extension Officer, Viengkham District Agriculture Extension Office
Responsibilities: Teaching resource-poor farmers to be more efficient in agriculture production
Class of 20th RTC (2001-2002). Sponsored by SDC
Mr. Sangthong found the RTC useful in providing new advanced technologies for his work. While some technologies are not appropriate to the conditions of farmers in his district, he was able to promote off-season vegetable production using an adapted form of rain shelter together with mulching. Some farmers in the district are able to produce pak choy and green mustard during the rainy season, thereby increasing their income. He found the 5-month course too long.
Ms. Khamphone Phomlasy
Current Position: Head of Vegetable Production, Plant Protection Center
Responsibilities: Support organic vegetable production
Class of 19th RTC (2000-2001). Sponsored by SDC
Ms. Khamphone’s participation at the RTC increased her confidence to take up new challenges such as the new change in work. Although she was not exposed to organic farming at the RTC, she was able to make use of the advanced technologies at the RTC to support this new job function. She was able to encourage farmers to grow tomato using new technologies acquired at the RTC, including IPM. She agreed that a 3-month course would be sufficient.
Ms. Vienthong Vinaiya
Current Position: Project staff of the ADB-funded Post Harvest Project
Responsibilities: Provide support to Government approved external project
Class of 22nd RTC (2003-2004). Sponsored by SDC
She was able to learn about post harvest activities during the RTC and this has helped her in her present assignment. Prior to attending the RTC, she was involved in administration and hence participation at the RTC prepared her better to promote better agriculture.
Mr. Sisawath Vanthanouvong
Current Position: Researcher, Crop Multiplication Center
Responsibilities: Conduct demonstration trials using advanced vegetable production, e.g. net house
Class of 24th RTC (2005-2006). Sponsored by SDC
Since returning to the CMC, Mr. Sisawath has been involved in conducting demonstration trials on pak choy. He attributed his training at the RTC as a key component to improve his skills in agriculture. Prior to attending the RTC, he had little experience working in this field. The confidence gained was very important. He learned that the use of plastic mulch promoted during the RTC was not useful as it proved too hot for chilly production in addition to the high cost of investment.
