Agricultural Extension brand '@'

The transfer of science and technology into production practice is the main task of agricultural extension work from central to local levels, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction and improving productivity, quality, and efficiency in agricultural production areas.

Implementing that policy, on August 18, 2005, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension and Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper created a column "Agriculture Extension & Technology" on the Agricultural Extension page - Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper to gradually prepare farmers with the necessary knowledge to help farmers produce effectively and sustainably.

On September 14, 2005, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension and Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper held a ceremony to launch the Advisory Board "Agricultural Extension & Technology" with the participation of 15 scientists. The first topic is "Issues of agricultural production during the flood season," which was introduced to readers in the newspaper issue on the same day.

Develop ideas from the Agricultural Extension & Technology section, with the desire to create a forum for farmers to access, exchange, and share experiences with leading managers and experts in the industry, on February 2 November 2005, in Vinh Long province, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension organized the first forum with the topic "High-quality rice production".

The forum had the participation of nearly 150 delegates, of which 40% were rice farmers. From this forum, the brand Agricultural Extension @ Technology was born. This brand has become familiar and is commonly called "A còng" by farmers.

The character "@" has replaced the sign "&" with the meaning that agricultural extension is a bridge, conveying new knowledge, techniques, and technology to farmers. At the same time, this is also a character that carries the meaning of science and technology.

Following the success of the first forum in 2006, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension and Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper coordinated with localities to organize 12 forums in the southern provinces. These forums have spread widely to the Northern provinces.

Since meeting farmers' aspirations, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension has maintained the organization of more than 20 Agricultural Extension Forums every year. In 2010, the forum Agricultural Extension @ Technology was renamed to the forum Agricultural Extension @ Agriculture with the meaning that agricultural extension not only transfers science and technology but also focuses on management, linking production with the market, and agricultural development and environmental protection. After the name change, the first forum had the topic "Cocoa intercropping in cashew orchards," held in Binh Phuoc province on March 20, 2010.

After nearly 20 years, the agricultural extension brand "A còng" has become familiar with the agricultural extension system and farmers in all regions of the country. The agricultural extension system from central to local levels annually organizes regional, provincial, and district forums.

At the central level, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension has organized over 350 forums with many topics according to fields and actual production needs, including Animal husbandry, cultivation, forestry, fisheries, mechanization agriculture, and rural industries. This activity attracted over 100,000 attendees, of which over 70% were farmers. Through forums, policies, and orientations have been well received by people and have created significant movements.

In addition to the VND 50 million/hectare/year farming models, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension has organized 28 forums on crop and livestock restructuring and guidance on finding effective and sustainable farming solutions. Along with that, thousands of articles in the mass media have created a widespread movement, raising the average production value per hectare of cultivated land from VND10.5 million (1995) to VND 42.7 million/ha (2010) and VND 95 million in 2020.

Forums held in the hall, forums in the field and at the barn and online forums during the Covid-19 period have become reliable addresses for production advice for farmers.

The "A còng" brand and other activities in the work of information, propaganda, and agricultural extension in recent times have encouraged agricultural development, raised awareness of the role of farmers, agriculture, and rural areas, and provided innovation. Initiative for industry restructuring associated with new rural construction, expanding exchange and cooperation in Vietnam's agricultural sector with the world.