Community agricultural extension - a historical mark

After nearly 4 years of implementation, 5,187 community agricultural extension groups have been established nationwide with 47,493 participating members.

Historical mark

Reporting on the pilot project "Improving the effectiveness of agricultural extension activities on the basis of perfecting the community agricultural extension team model", the National Agricultural Extension Center said that after nearly 4 years of implementation, this is a correct model with many historical marks.

Implementing Resolution No. 19 of the Party Central Committee and the Prime Minister's Decision approving the Strategy for sustainable agricultural, farmer and rural development, on March 25, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) approved the Pilot Project "Improving the effectiveness of agricultural extension activities on the basis of perfecting the community agricultural extension team model".

The project's overarching goal is to connect the agricultural extension system with the business community, socio-political and professional organizations to contribute to building an effective and sustainable agriculture in the direction of ecological agriculture, modern countryside and civilized farmers.

Community agricultural extension - a historical mark. Photo: Hoang Anh.

The project was implemented in 13 provinces (before the merger) in 5 key raw material regions with the goal of consolidating and perfecting the grassroots agricultural extension system according to the model of multi-functional community agricultural extension teams, both serving industry restructuring and rural development, and developing raw material regions, improving productivity, quality and added value of agricultural products.

Immediately after being put into practice, the Project received attention and direction from central ministries and branches, response from localities and participation from a large number of business communities, cooperatives and farmers.

Specifically, after nearly 4 years of implementation, 34 provinces and cities nationwide (after the merger) have established 5,187 community agricultural extension groups with 47,493 participating members. Of which, in the pilot project, there are 26 community agricultural extension groups with 156 members, outside the project, there are 5,161 community agricultural extension groups with 47,337 members.

Members participating in the community agricultural extension team are mainly commune leaders, commune civil servants, representatives of local associations and organizations (farmers' association, youth union, women's union, veterans' union, cooperatives, enterprises...), cooperative representatives, and good farmers and businessmen.

Community agricultural extension participates in many activities in rural areas. Photo: Hoang Anh.

The historical mark of the community agricultural extension model is comprehensively demonstrated in agricultural , farmer and rural activities in localities. The community agricultural extension force participates in transferring technical advances and supporting local authorities and people.

In particular, in 5 raw material areas, community agricultural extension has advised and supported nearly 100 cooperatives with a total area of ​​over 10,000 hectares in integrating agricultural extension programs and projects so that cooperatives can enhance development and apply science and technology in production activities. Some community agricultural extension teams have provided cooperative members with new technical advances, organic production practices, reducing pesticide residues in agricultural products, and producing high-quality goods linked to processing and consumption of products.

Also in large raw material areas, the tireless efforts of the community agricultural extension force have organized production linkages according to value chains and built and developed standard agricultural and forestry raw material areas.

Typical activities include support and connection between farmers and cooperatives with Dong Giao Food Export Joint Stock Company (DOVECO) in Son La province, Nafoods Tay Nguyen Joint Stock Company in Gia Lai province, T9 Agricultural Import-Export Company Limited in Phu Tho province, Vinh Hiep Company Limited, Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, Que Lam Group... to deploy a production chain linking crops, livestock, aquaculture...

In the Mekong Delta, community agricultural extension groups have coordinated with businesses to select raw material areas to sign contracts to purchase products, organize conferences linking farmers with businesses to trace the origin of agricultural products on key crops... Along with service consulting and digital transformation activities, many community agricultural extension groups have actively participated in community support activities in the locality.

Connecting steps of agricultural extension officers. Photo: Hoang Anh.

The report of the National Agricultural Extension Center also affirmed: After nearly 4 years of implementation, the Community Agricultural Extension Project has shown positive signs, receiving attention and support from all levels and sectors and the active participation of the entire political system, businesses, cooperatives and farmers.

The effectiveness and impact of the Project have contributed to affirming the role and tasks of the agricultural extension system and community agricultural extension in the cause of agricultural development and new rural construction, creating consensus in awareness and agricultural extension activities. Contributing to changing the thinking and awareness in the agricultural extension system, consolidating the agricultural extension system on the principle of not changing the apparatus and staff of agricultural extension, reorganizing the grassroots agricultural extension force associated with the commune area to effectively carry out agricultural extension work.

At the same time, it contributes to innovating and diversifying the functions and activities of grassroots agricultural extension from transferring science and technology mainly serving production to providing information, guiding management and business skills, developing markets, protecting the environment, towards agricultural extension according to demand and service agricultural extension.

Community agricultural extension is the right development orientation. Photo: Hoang Anh.

In addition, the Project has also contributed to changing the thinking of agricultural production, intellectualizing farmers, especially in raw material areas, farmers have been reorganized to produce according to the model of cooperatives and cooperatives, and have participated in production links under contracts with enterprises to produce according to processes, standards and quality according to market requirements. Contributing to expanding the space for connecting agricultural extension, attracting the participation of enterprises and cooperatives, promoting the socialization of agricultural extension.

Through the results of the Project implementation, it can be affirmed that community agricultural extension is the right development orientation to connect the agricultural extension system with the business community, cooperatives, political - social and professional organizations to better support farmers in reorganizing production, applying technical advances and useful solutions to production, helping to improve livelihoods, increase income, and contribute to building an effective and sustainable agriculture.

New era , new agricultural extension

July 1, 2025 marks a historic milestone for the nation in renewing the national administration according to the country's new development requirements. The two-level local government model coming into operation opens up a new development space for the entire political system and society.

The transformation of the local government model has led to decisions on establishing community agricultural extension teams that are no longer appropriate, members of community agricultural extension teams have changed, and localities have not reviewed, evaluated, and issued decisions on consolidation or new establishment, leading to the current disruption of the community agricultural extension team model.

Faced with that situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued a circular to guide and direct the People's Committees at the commune level to review, consolidate and improve in accordance with local conditions.

Accordingly, the community agricultural extension team is identified as a voluntary agricultural extension organization with a core role, directly following the grassroots, being a bridge between farmers and the government, businesses, cooperatives and organizations and individuals in the area participating in agricultural extension activities and promoting the socialization of agricultural extension in the locality.

This is an important support force that helps farmers access technical advances, organize safe and sustainable production, and meet market demands as an "extended arm" of the agricultural sector at the grassroots level.

People's Committees of provinces and cities need to pay attention to issuing policies and mechanisms, allocating funding sources, providing support, and creating favorable conditions in terms of facilities for community agricultural extension groups to operate effectively. Photo: Hoang Anh.

Mr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, said: Entering a new era when the mindset of accompanying and serving the people is increasingly realized, it means that the mission of "sowers" of each agricultural extension officer will be more responsible, professional and modern. The National Agricultural Extension Center will continue to promote training, fostering and capacity building activities for community agricultural extension teams and organize communication activities to raise awareness of community agricultural extension.

Mr. Thanh suggested that the People's Committees of provinces and cities pay attention to issuing policies, allocating funding sources, supporting and creating favorable conditions in terms of facilities for community agricultural extension groups to operate effectively. Enterprises and cooperatives should actively coordinate and connect with community agricultural extension groups to operate according to the motto of integrating multiple values ​​and developing together.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khuyen-nong-cong-dong--dau-an-lich-su-d784286.html