Photo by SRD

Project activities included training workshops, meetings, presentations and Water User Associations and Groups establishment. These activities have built capacity for farmers in monitoring the construction of irrigation works and developing water distribution plans for households, which led to a doubling of the area of irrigated paddy fields (up to 30ha, with a 25% increase in productivity) and contributed to the reduction in the incidence of poor households (from 55.78% down to 13.9%). Some active farmers have even gained the capacity to train others. Women's profiles were raised and women took on more significant roles; notably three out of five board members of the Water User Association were women, including the Chair of the board. Mr. Nguyen Truong Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Lap district remarked "...despite moderate financial resources, the project has met practical needs of poor farmers and women in the areas". He recommended expanding the model to other communes of the district.