The checkered scarf and the Minister's message

The 9th National Farmers Forum in 2024, with the message "Listening together, sharing together," focused on discussing several key issues: Reconstruction and recovery of production after the recent Typhoon Yagi and floods, highlighting major issues such as support for seedlings, livestock, agricultural inputs, and agricultural insurance policies; especially the need to create conditions for debt restructuring, debt deferral, and access to new capital for households directly affected by the recent storms and floods, helping farmers quickly restore production.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan presents a checkered scarf to Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Association Luong Quoc Doan.

In addition, there are issues related to mechanisms and policies to promote green and sustainable agricultural production, reduce emissions towards the Netzero target, and issues related to production planning.

Many farmers are also interested in mechanisms and policies to support and encourage farmers, including successful farmers and business owners, through the activities of the Farmers' Association at all levels; continuing to innovate the forms of organization and activities of farmer members, such as establishing farmers' clubs; promoting the effectiveness and role of branches and professional associations as a basis and foundation for establishing cooperatives; and issues related to supporting and building agricultural product brands and promoting agricultural products on digital platforms.

The image of the two leaders presiding over the Forum creates a feeling of closeness and familiarity with the farmers.

This was also the first time the Forum was co-chaired by two leaders: Luong Quoc Doan, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association, and Le Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. One of the things that made a strong impression on most of the delegates participating in the Forum was the image of the two co-chairs wearing the traditional checkered scarf – a familiar item to farmers, especially those in the Mekong Delta. This was also a gift that Minister Le Minh Hoan presented to Chairman Luong Quoc Doan.

Explaining the message behind wearing the checkered scarf while presiding over the Forum, Minister Le Minh Hoan said: "The scarf is an image of the farmer, representing the farmer. These images are extremely familiar to us, and are also items that farmers use daily in their lives and work."

"I chose the checkered scarf to remind everyone that farmers are always the key players in the overall economic development goals, and in the development of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas in particular. Therefore, at this Forum, we are also fulfilling the message: let farmers voice their opinions, while we listen and share," Minister Le Minh Hoan shared.

Minister Le Minh Hoan shared: "I chose the checkered scarf to remind everyone that farmers are always in a central position."

Earlier, in an interview with Dan Viet newspaper ahead of the Forum, the Minister also expressed his gratitude to outstanding Vietnamese farmers and exemplary cooperatives nationwide in 2024.

"I want to express my gratitude to the pioneering farmers, because it is thanks to these pioneers, who dared to overcome difficulties and adversity, that we have the agricultural landscape we see today. I know that some farmers, when choosing a new path, faced skepticism from their families and relatives, even being scolded for being 'crazy,' but they still persevered, embracing new thinking and new models. I consider that to be courage."

Indeed, the portraits of those farmers have inspired me, as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. They are also an inspiration to other farmers. Therefore, honoring them should not only focus on praising their production and business achievements but also on honoring their journey, honoring the image of farmers who have overcome challenges in the transformation of the agricultural sector."

Source: https://danviet.vn/dien-dan-nong-dan-quoc-gia-lan-thu-ix-chiec-khan-ran-va-thong-diep-cua-bo-truong-20241014104822964.htm