PRESS RELEASE
CropLife Vietnam Stewardship Day 2012:
Effective and Responsible Use of Crop Protection Products
CropLife Vietnam in collaboration with the Plant Protection Departmentattracts 2000participantsacross 9 provinces on the same day
(Ho Chi Minh City) –CropLife Vietnam member companiesin collaboration with the Plant Protection Department and nine sub-Plant Protection Departments,under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, today has simultaneously held its Stewardship Day targeted at farmers in six provinces in Mekong Delta including An Giang, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Long An, Kien Giang and Tien Giang; and three provinces in the Northern region, including Hanoi, Bac Ninh and Hung Yen.
The Stewardship Day 2012 promotes effective and responsible use of crop protection productsamong farmers for better health and a more sustainable agricultural developmentfor Vietnam. The simultaneous events have been supportedby CropLife Asia, the Plant Protection Department from Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as the participation and active engagement from sub-Plant Protection Departments, provincial extension centers, farmer associations, dealers/retailers and farmers, at all these localities.CropLife Vietnam’s six member companies (Arysta LifeScience, BASF, Bayer, Dow AgroSciences, Du Pont, Syngenta) managed the events.
The Stewardship Day is designed to raise awareness and strengthen farmers’ knowledge on the safe and responsible use of crop protection products. The combined events in the 09 provinces and 30 district units have attracted more than 2000 participants.
“This is the first time that EuroCham CropLife Vietnammembers haveheld the Stewardship Day in Vietnam. We intend to make this an annual event as part of our objective to demonstrate best practices that help farmers manage the use of crop protection products. We also would like to take this opportunity to thank the Plant Protection Department for their leadership to collaborate with CropLife Vietnam with such patience and initiative,” said Mr. Shane Emms, Chairman of CropLife Vietnam.
Farmers participated in different learning activities, through which they gained greater knowledge in how to use crop protection products in effective and responsibleways. A seminar held across the provinces addressed the five Golden Rules*and four Rights of using crop protection products, with practical examples and lively illustrations.Creative methods of ensuring farmers memorized critical information were adopted such as a game show format that encouraged active participation and interaction.More formal hands-on training sessions were conducted to reinforce the practical implementation of the five Golden Rules and four Rights.
“The Stewardship Day clearlydemonstrated that if education and training is delivered to farmers in an interesting and exciting way then retention of knowledge and skills in handling products appropriately is enhanced and can be used as a platform for farmers to continue throughout the year,” commentedMr. Martin Gibson, the Stewardship Director of CropLife Asia.
* The Five Golden Rules of Responsible Use are:Exercise caution at all times; Read and understand the product label; Practice good personal hygiene; Maintain sprayers in good working condition; Use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment
Notes to Editors:
About CropLife Vietnam
CropLife Vietnam, the local unit of CropLife Asia/CropLife International, is a Sector Committee of European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham). CropLife Vietnam, consisting of 6 members including Arysta LifeScience, BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, Du Pont and Syngenta, is established to promote the benefits and responsible use of crop protection and plant biotechnology products, as well as a sound regulatory framework to support sustainable agriculture development in Vietnam.
About CropLife Asia
CropLife Asia is the regional organization of CropLife International, the global federation of the plant science industry operating in more than 90 countries around the world. Member companies of CropLife International commit to contribute tosustainable agriculture through innovation in plant protection, agricultural biotechnology and seed production.
Press contact:
European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
EuroCham HCMC Office
EuroCentre
5th Floor, 49 Mac Dinh Chi Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, HCMC
Tel: (84-8) 3827 2715; Fax: (84.8) 3827 2743
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