Farmers in the new era: Proactive, creative, and integrated.

- The 11th Provincial Congress of the Farmers' Association (FA), for the 2025-2030 term, is taking place in the context of the nationwide implementation of a two-tiered local government model; the province has completed the restructuring and streamlining of its apparatus, creating a foundation for improving operational efficiency in the new phase. The 11th Congress is an important political event to evaluate the results, limitations, and lessons learned by the cadres, members, and farmers throughout the province; and at the same time, to determine the direction, goals, and tasks for the 2025-2030 term, meeting the requirements of agricultural, farmer, and rural development in the new era.

Leaders of the Provincial Farmers' Association and delegates visited the booths displaying agricultural products from association members and farmers in the province.

The period 2023-2025 marks a significant restructuring of the Farmers' Association's organizational structure according to a two-tiered local government model. Following the reorganization, the association's body, which previously consisted of three departments (office, socio -economic committee, and construction committee), was reorganized into the Farmers' Affairs Committee under the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. The number of officials and civil servants was streamlined from 21 to 10; 11 district-level associations and 194 commune-level associations ceased operations. To date, the association has issued decisions establishing 65 commune-level Farmers' Associations. This is a fundamental innovation, contributing to streamlining the organizational structure and improving the effectiveness of the association's activities in the new phase.

Currently, over 78% of the province's population are farmers. Therefore, the association has intensified its efforts to attract and gather members through many practical programs such as: supporting production and business, vocational training, legal consulting, improving benefits, and assisting members in resolving difficulties. In the past two years, the association has newly admitted over 4,000 members, bringing the total number of members in the province to over 112,000, accounting for 83% of the total number of agricultural households. 100% of the branches have operating funds.

Farmers' association members in Xuan Duong commune are developing their economy through a model of growing and processing golden flower tea.

A highlight of the past period has been the emulation movement for excellent production and business. Farmers' associations at all levels have launched the movement "Farmers competing in excellent production and business, uniting to help each other get rich and sustainably reduce poverty" to 100% of their members in the province. At the same time, the Provincial Farmers' Association has also facilitated members' access to preferential loan sources from the Social Policy Bank Branch, the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Branch in the province, and the farmers' support fund. Currently, the entire association has more than 21,500 households borrowing capital with a total amount exceeding 1,792 billion VND. Support for farmers' association members has been emphasized through training courses, technical guidance, market information provision, and assistance to disadvantaged households with capital, seedlings, and livestock; strengthening support for members in building brands, promoting products, and bringing agricultural products to e-commerce platforms and social networks. Establishing and maintaining provincial-level agricultural production clubs helps members have opportunities to exchange and learn from each other's experiences. In addition, honoring and commending outstanding farmers and exemplary agricultural products is regularly implemented. During the 2023-2025 period, the entire province had 38,223 households registering for the title of "Outstanding Agricultural Production Unit," achieving 112% of the target; after evaluation, 22,773 households achieved the title, reaching 133% of the target. The percentage of households achieving the title out of the total number of registered households was 60%, exceeding the target by 20%.

The past period also marked a breakthrough in the collective economy of agriculture. Associations at all levels focused on disseminating information and raising awareness among officials and members about the role of the collective economy; coordinating training programs on capital management skills, production operation, and building professional branches to create a foundation for the formation of cooperatives; and organizing exchange programs and experience sharing between cooperatives within and outside the province to improve the efficiency of their operations. Thanks to these coordinated activities, in the last two years, the province has established 25 new agricultural cooperatives (achieving 227% of the target) and 70 cooperative groups (achieving 106% of the plan); the number of members participating in collective economic models reached 9,510 people, completing 100% of the target. This has contributed to promoting the development of the collective economy, strengthening production linkages along the value chain, and improving the efficiency and competitiveness of agricultural products.

Keeping pace with digital transformation, the various levels of the association have integrated and organized over 1,000 training sessions for more than 56,000 members on installing and using digital applications in production and business, using the Lang Son Digital Citizen application, and electronic payment accounts. As a result, thousands of Lang Son Digital Citizen accounts and electronic payment accounts have been activated, and 12 agricultural product stores have been established on e-commerce platforms. In particular, the associations at all levels have focused on encouraging farmers to apply high technology, introducing new farming methods and scientific and technical advancements into production. The Association proactively coordinated with specialized agencies to organize 356 training sessions on technology transfer for 17,335 members in crop cultivation, livestock farming, forestry, and agricultural product processing. Simultaneously, the Association intensified its efforts to promote and guide 42,916 members in using social media and accessing the Vietnam Farmers' Digital Platform, helping them access, utilize, and apply advanced production processes in practice, thereby improving agricultural production efficiency. These results contribute to promoting the transformation of farmers' thinking and production and business methods towards a modern, professional direction, in line with the requirements of the digital economy and integration.

In addition to supporting its members, the association also promotes the leading role of farmers in the process of rural renewal and development. Association branches at all levels have mobilized farmers to donate over 10,500 m² of land, contribute over 3.38 billion VND and more than 282,000 man-days of labor to upgrade rural infrastructure… The entire province has established 140 new models of farmers participating in environmental protection, achieving 233% of the target. These are important contributions that help transform the face of rural areas towards a greener, cleaner, and more livable direction.

The period 2023-2025 concluded with many significant achievements, showcasing the resilience, intelligence, and creativity of farmers in Lang Son. Entering a new term with high spirits and determination, the various levels of the Farmers' Association will continue to promote the leading role of farmers in developing modern agriculture, expanding markets for agricultural products, and building civilized rural areas. Their belief and aspiration for progress will continue to drive Lang Son farmers to become a center of innovation and sustainable development.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/xay-dung-nguoi-nong-dan-thoi-ky-moi-chu-dong-sang-tao-hoi-nhap-5068330.html