Vietnam Agricultural Extension: Message of the age of 30 - Trust and Responsibility

Overcoming difficulties and challenges over time has affirmed the steadfast character of the entire system. Reality proves that "fire tests gold", we have united, joined forces, and are determined to build an increasingly strong Vietnam Agricultural Extension system, always being a pioneering force in the cause of agricultural development, farmers, and rural areas.

On this occasion, on behalf of those working in agricultural extension, we would like to express our gratitude and deep gratitude to the former leaders and agricultural extension officers through the ages who have dedicated their lives to contributing to agriculture to the innovation and development of the agricultural extension system. We thank the leadership and direction of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government, ministries, departments, central branches, party committees, and authorities at all levels. Thank you for the companionship of scientists, domestic and foreign partners, and millions of farmers nationwide - this is the driving force for the Vietnam Agricultural Extension system to continue to develop in the coming period. Thank you for the efforts of generations of agricultural extension officers to overcome difficulties and complete their tasks - the decisive factors for success over the past 30 years.

Born, attached to the "tam nông" and going through each development period with different names, the mission for agriculture, farmers, and rural areas of Vietnam has always been the "red thread" throughout Vietnam throughout the past 30 years.

The development path of agricultural extension is closely linked to the development of Vietnamese agriculture, from ensuring food security to affirming its position as an agricultural export powerhouse. On that journey, agricultural extension is crucial in transferring technical advances and new technologies, creating deep impressions, making essential contributions to developing high-value agricultural production and bringing profound economic, political, and social meaning.

Faced with new contexts and requirements, intertwined opportunities and challenges, the agriculture and rural development sectors are shifting from agricultural production to agricultural economics. This is an opportunity for the agricultural extension system to innovate and develop.

We are aware of our mission, with the motto "where there are farmers, there is agricultural extension," so that farmers genuinely become the subject and center of development. The agricultural extension system will continue to lead the development of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas to create "ecological agriculture, sustainable development, modern, prosperous countryside, civilized farmers, and master science and technology".

Promoting the traditions and achievements of a 30-year history of construction and growth with complete confidence, a high sense of responsibility, and forged political determination, Vietnam Agricultural Extension will continue to write and add glorious pages of history, build an increasingly strong system, continue to accompany farmers, and successfully carry out its mission in the new era.

Over the years, the Government and the agricultural sector have paid attention and had many solutions to accompany people in rice production, especially in the Mekong Delta region. A typical example that can be mentioned is the project that has just ended very successfully, the Vietnam Sustainable Agricultural Transformation Project (VnSAT), funded by the World Bank (WB) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as the managing agency.

In addition, recently, according to the policy of the agricultural sector, many businesses have begun to pay more attention to the application of scientific and technical solutions and advances in rice production to improve productivity quality, reduce costs, reduce materials, and aim to reduce emissions.

We can mention the coordination between the Vietnam Agricultural Extension and Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company in implementing the application of technical advancement packages in production in 13 rice-producing provinces of the Mekong Delta. Technical processes on cost reduction, smart farming, etc. have all been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. That is a good sign when businesses have stepped in and seen the necessity of sustainable development for the rice industry in the Mekong Delta.

In addition, recently, the Vietnam Agricultural Extension has also actively coordinated with Bayer Vietnam Co., Ltd. to gather and deploy the most advanced, effective, and specific groups of rice production solutions for each region. A group of keys cannot be applied to all regions, so we must create a map to identify locations to use each different technical solution package appropriate and specific to each area.