Standardize the agricultural extension system according to a streamlined, interconnected, and unified model.

(Chinhphu.vn) - Today (October 17), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held an information conference on Circular No. 60/2025/TT-BNNMT - a document guiding the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of public service units performing agricultural extension work at the provincial and commune levels.

Agricultural extension is increasingly affirming its role as a "knowledge bridge" bringing science , technology and modern production organization to farmers - Photo: Hong Cam

The conference took place online with 34 locations across the country, chaired by Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam at the main location in Hanoi .

Implementing the two-level local government model, the agricultural extension system also faces the need for innovation to adapt to the new organizational structure and tasks. According to the direction of General Secretary To Lam , agricultural extension work must be closely linked to the grassroots and fields; therefore, perfecting the agricultural extension organization from the provincial to communal levels in the direction of connection - synchronization - efficiency is an urgent requirement.

In that spirit, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government Party Committee to develop and issue Circular 60/2025/TT-BNNMT dated October 14, 2025, creating a legal corridor to unify agricultural extension activities nationwide.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam affirmed that the issuance of Circular 60 is an important step in standardizing Vietnam's agricultural extension system according to a streamlined, interconnected, and unified model from province to commune. This is the basis for agricultural extension to promote its role in supporting farmers in effective production, adapting to the new requirements of modern agriculture.

According to the report, the country currently has 1,763 provincial-level agricultural extension officers and 4,518 officers working at 324 agricultural extension stations and regional agricultural service centers.

Mr. Pham Tan Tuyen, Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), said: At the provincial level, the Agricultural Extension Center is a public service unit under the Department of Agriculture and Environment, responsible for organizing and coordinating agricultural extension activities in the area.

At the commune level, public service units under the People's Committees of communes, wards and towns will directly implement agricultural extension work at the grassroots level.

Delegates unanimously assessed Circular 60 as an important foundation to improve the capacity of the commune-level agricultural extension team - the force directly supporting farmers, contributing to training and standardizing cadres who "understand both techniques and farmers".

A highlight of the conference was the affirmation of the leading role of the community agricultural extension team – a pioneering force that closely follows the locality, accompanies farmers in production, technology application and market access. This model is expected to help agricultural extension truly become a bridge between science, businesses and farmers.

At the conference, Associate Professor, Dr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, presented the National Agricultural Extension Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, emphasizing the goal of synchronously developing the agricultural extension system to contribute to restructuring agriculture, building new rural areas, and moving towards ecological, modern, and internationally integrated agriculture.

Representatives from localities such as Can Tho, Lai Chau, Phu Tho, Son La, Dak Lak, An Giang, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, etc. all expressed their agreement and appreciation for the innovative spirit of the Circular and Strategy. However, localities also raised some concerns about human resource arrangement, policies, digital transformation and pricing of public services in the agricultural extension sector.

In the process of sustainable agricultural development, agricultural extension increasingly affirms its role as a "knowledge bridge" bringing science, technology and modern production organization to farmers.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/chuan-hoa-he-thong-khuyen-nong-theo-mo-hinh-tinh-gon-lien-thong-thong-nhat-102251017163451024.htm