A project to improve the livelihoods of poor farmers and help them adapt to climate change has aided 2,400 households in southern Tien Giang province from 2013. Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Khanh made the announcement, saying the project, named HEIFER, is underway in Phu Thanh and Phu Dang communes, Tan Phu Dong district till 2017. According to Pham Van Nghi, deputy manager of the project, the project has a total fund of over VND18 billion, of which VND4 billion is sourced from local budget and the rest funded by HEIFER Vietnam and the Norwegian Mission Alliance. The project aims to help locals improve production to raise income and escape poverty through restructuring crops and livestock breeding. The beneficiaries are provided with cows for breeding and get access to financial services from the Norwegian Mission Alliance Vietnam. They are also introduced to production techniques to adapt to climate change and knowledge on scientific intensive farming. The project has invested VND3.7 billion so far to buy 334 cows, lent VND317 million to households to build barns, plant grass and give vaccinations. More than 5,000 farmers are equipped with business, production and breeding knowledge. (vietnamplus.vn Sept 16)
