Training on Composting and Straw Mushroom Cultivation for Core Women’s Group in Xuan Nha Commune

On January 4-5, 2025, People and Nature Reconciliation (PanNature) organized an intensive training session on composting and straw mushroom cultivation techniques for 16 local potential trainers. The participants included the heads, deputy heads, and outstanding members of the women’s associations from four villages in Xuan Nha Commune, namely: Thin Village Women’s Association, Tun Village Women’s Association, Chieng Nua Village Women’s Association, and Chieng Hin Village Women’s Association.

Throughout the training, participants gained scientific knowledge and hands-on practice under the guidance of experts on composting techniques and straw mushroom cultivation. Upon completion, they mastered the techniques and were prepared to pass on their knowledge to local women, contributing to the expansion of sustainable production models.

Xuan Nha is a mountainous commune in Van Ho District, Son La Province, covering a total natural area of 9,374 hectares with a population of approximately 4,503 people. More than 95% of the population belongs to ethnic minorities, primarily the Black Thai and Muong people. Xuan Nha Commune borders the Xuan Nha Nature Reserve, home to rich biodiversity but facing threats of deforestation and biodiversity loss due to unsustainable resource exploitation. The average annual income per capita in the commune is 19.5 million VND, with over 35% of households classified as poor or near-poor. Therefore, supporting local livelihoods is crucial to reducing pressure on forest resources.

To improve the livelihoods of local women, the project “Enhancing Economic Empowerment for Ethnic Minority Women in Xuan Nha Commune, Van Ho District, Son La Province,” funded by Cummins DKSH Vietnam, has been implemented with the following objectives:

• Creating opportunities for women to start businesses in production and commerce, particularly in straw mushroom farming using the rotating straw column model.
• Increasing women’s economic contributions to household income structures.
• Utilizing agricultural by-products and minimizing plastic waste in production.

Previously, on December 27, 2024, PanNature staff met with the People’s Committee and the Women’s Union of Xuan Nha Commune to finalize the program and select the four participating women’s associations. Additionally, 16 trainers were chosen to receive training and disseminate knowledge to local women.

The training program not only equips participants with knowledge and skills but also empowers women to take an active role in household economic development. PanNature hopes that this model will be widely adopted, contributing to improving livelihoods and enhancing the status of ethnic minority women in Van Ho District.

PanNature staff working with the People’s Committee and Women’s Union of Xuan Nha Commune to implement the project.

Training on Composting Techniques for Core Women’s Group.

Training on Straw Mushroom Cultivation Techniques for Core Women’s Group.