Make community agricultural extension a key force in agriculture at the unit level

On April 14, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities promoting agricultural extension work.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, after 30 years of operation, with the attention and direction of the Party, Government, ministries, and branches at the central level, and local Party committees and authorities at all levels, together with close coordination and cooperation of scientific and technological research agencies, socio-political organizations, domestic and international non-governmental organizations, Vietnam's agricultural extension system has constantly been developing.

The agricultural extension system at all levels has played an essential role in conveying the guidelines and policies of the Party and State on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas into life, since then, contributed to a profound change in product structure and production level of agriculture, forestry and fishery on a large scale towards commodity production. The agricultural extension force has also played an essential role in poverty reduction, natural disaster prevention and control, environmental protection, vocational training for rural workers, and new rural construction.

According to Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022, of the 13th Party Central Committee on Agriculture, farmers and rural areas to 2030, with a vision to 2045 and Decision No. 150/QD- TTg dated January 28, 2022, of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy for sustainable agricultural and rural development from 2021 to 2030, with a vision to 2050, the Party and State have guidelines and orientations on agricultural extension development in the coming period: "Strongly renovate the form of organization and activities of agricultural extension, develop an electronic agricultural extension, community agricultural extension, follow the commodity chain, digital transformation" to develop the efficient and sustainable agriculture in the direction of ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, and civilized farmers.

To continue developing the agricultural extension force in the coming time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed that localities pay attention to directing and promoting agricultural extension work. In particular, its focus on consolidating and developing community agricultural extension models to become the main force of the agricultural sector at the grassroots level in association with the development of large-scale and qualified agro-forestry-fishery material areas.

Paying attention to directing, guiding, and orienting community agricultural extension groups to operate effectively, focusing on the main content and tasks: Grasp the situation of agricultural production and transfer knowledge and techniques to farmers and accompanying farmers.

Support the state management of agriculture in the locality (including agriculture, farmers, and rural areas). Consulting, services, agricultural products trade, market connection, and providing market and price information for farmers.

Consulting to reorganize production, renovate agricultural production and business organization according to the value chain, and production according to standards to meet the market's needs.

Consulting on policies, directly conveying guidelines, guidelines, and policies of the Party and State on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas into life.

For 13 provinces under the pilot project "Improve the effectiveness of agricultural extension activities based on perfecting the model of community agricultural extension groups", it is recommended to continue directing the implementation according to the contents of the proposed project.

For the provinces not under the scheme, based on the results and 1-year experience in implementing the pilot scheme, apply the model of community extension groups suitable to local conditions.

In addition, diversifying forms of agricultural extension activities, developing agricultural production service activities at grassroots levels, expanding the system of enterprise agricultural extension, cooperative agricultural extension, community agricultural extension, etc., meet the production and market needs.

Paying attention to training and fostering professional knowledge, market knowledge, production organization, digital technology, etc., for fundamental units and community agricultural extension officers. The National Center for Agricultural Extension is the focal point to advise and implement training and capacity building for agricultural extension officers at all levels in the locality, step by step standardizing agricultural extension staff.

Pay attention to fundamental unit extension officers' material and spiritual life, support appropriate mechanisms and policies, and create conditions for extension workers to work long-term and stick to the profession. At the same time, strengthen the connection of the agricultural extension system under the motto "Where there are farmers, and there is the agricultural extension".

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assigned the National Center for Agricultural Extension to research and advise on the development of a national electronic database on agricultural extension work for transmission throughout the country; coordinate with schools of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in pilot training several classes of agricultural extension officers with intermediate or higher qualifications.