Another criticism concerned the low level of adaptation to local conditions
(climate, livestock housing conditions and fodder availability). Outbreaks of previously unknown diseases, conception problems, a low increase in weight, and a high
mortality rate among piglets made farmers reproach the projects for distributing
animals of insufficient quality. As a consequence, the subject matter addressed at
training sessions was perceived as rather inadequate, as it was geared towards
common practices under controlled conditions rather than the uncertainties encountered in reality. Confronted with this perspective, the director of the provincial
WomUn admitted that her institution could not compile the necessary baseline data
prior to the project’s start, which might have prevented such failures. For ForRes, in
contrast, where improved local breeds were distributed, one major point of friction
was the compatibility of animal material with local resources and the optimization
of the production systems used, rather than changes in the orientation. It took some
time and required a couple of training sessions before farmers realized the potential
of system optimization and got over their initial disappointment at not receiving a
totally new breed. Eventually, acceptance of the breeds was high.
11.4.4 Critical Reflections on Novel Modes of Group Learning
in Son La Province
After having had a closer look at how the concept of group learning was translated
in the local context, in this section we would like to turn towards the question as to
whether the cases analyzed were supportive in building capacity and fostering
collaborative learning. In this section, therefore, we distill the lessons learned
from the cases analyzed.
11.4.4.1 The Compatibility of Group-Based Approaches Within
the Socio-Political Context of the Vietnamese Uplands
In translating the group concept into practice in a culture with the tradition of
command-and-follow, people centered approaches can be expected to be a difficult
and even sensitive issue for local administrations. We observed the introduction of
a promising idea whose basic principles – democratic decision-making processes,
evolutionary determination of study objectives and methods, and group-based
learning – were compromised by the specific socio-political context. Many of the
difficulties had to do with essential shortcomings in the early stages of group
formation, such as non-transparent decision-making on group composition, biased
appointment of people to take over group tasks and inadequate qualifications, all of
which hampered the emergence of group cohesion. Moreover, allocating responsibility for running the groups to just a few people put those individuals in positions
they were simply not able to manage, while regular group members saw their role
450
I. Schad et al.
(climate, livestock housing conditions and fodder availability). Outbreaks of previously unknown diseases, conception problems, a low increase in weight, and a high
mortality rate among piglets made farmers reproach the projects for distributing
animals of insufficient quality. As a consequence, the subject matter addressed at
training sessions was perceived as rather inadequate, as it was geared towards
common practices under controlled conditions rather than the uncertainties encountered in reality. Confronted with this perspective, the director of the provincial
WomUn admitted that her institution could not compile the necessary baseline data
prior to the project’s start, which might have prevented such failures. For ForRes, in
contrast, where improved local breeds were distributed, one major point of friction
was the compatibility of animal material with local resources and the optimization
of the production systems used, rather than changes in the orientation. It took some
time and required a couple of training sessions before farmers realized the potential
of system optimization and got over their initial disappointment at not receiving a
totally new breed. Eventually, acceptance of the breeds was high.
11.4.4 Critical Reflections on Novel Modes of Group Learning
in Son La Province
After having had a closer look at how the concept of group learning was translated
in the local context, in this section we would like to turn towards the question as to
whether the cases analyzed were supportive in building capacity and fostering
collaborative learning. In this section, therefore, we distill the lessons learned
from the cases analyzed.
11.4.4.1 The Compatibility of Group-Based Approaches Within
the Socio-Political Context of the Vietnamese Uplands
In translating the group concept into practice in a culture with the tradition of
command-and-follow, people centered approaches can be expected to be a difficult
and even sensitive issue for local administrations. We observed the introduction of
a promising idea whose basic principles – democratic decision-making processes,
evolutionary determination of study objectives and methods, and group-based
learning – were compromised by the specific socio-political context. Many of the
difficulties had to do with essential shortcomings in the early stages of group
formation, such as non-transparent decision-making on group composition, biased
appointment of people to take over group tasks and inadequate qualifications, all of
which hampered the emergence of group cohesion. Moreover, allocating responsibility for running the groups to just a few people put those individuals in positions
they were simply not able to manage, while regular group members saw their role
450
I. Schad et al.