Creating livelihoods for people
In recent years, the national agricultural extension system has implemented many programmes and projects on farming, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and forestry, which have benefited thousands of rural households.
These projects have promoted the application of technical advances in agricultural production, thereby helping farmers to improve their income. Many projects and programmes have opened up new production directions and created livelihoods for people in rural areas.
In 2022, the National Agricultural Extension Centre coordinated with the agricultural sectors of provinces Quang Tri, An Giang, and Thai Nguyen to develop a biosafety model for broiler chicken farms.
In Quang Tri Province, initial results have shown that the model has adapted to the local farming conditions, contributing to reducing investment costs, and increase economic efficiency for local households.
As one of the households selected to participate in the project, Tran Ngoc Huynh, from Hai Phu Commune, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province, said that in the past, due to lack of experience, his family’s business had faced many difficulties, leading to high costs.
Since joining the project, he has received instruction from agricultural extension staff on farming techniques, including how to prevent and treat some common diseases on broiler chickens. As such, his business has gained higher efficiency than before.
Also from 2021, the National Agricultural Extension Centre in coordination with the Agricultural Extension Centre of Thua Thien Hue province developed a crab farming model in ponds and lagoons in Phu Gia Commune, Phu Vang District.
The project, which is implemented among eight households with an area of 4 hectares, has brought about encouraging results.
Le Van Diet, a local from Phu Gia Commune said that many years ago, his family intercropped crab farming with shrimp, so profits were not high. After participating in the model, the profits are much higher than before.
Promoting the role of community-based agricultural extension
 |
A tree nursery model in Vinh Ha Commune, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province |
On March 25, 2022, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision No. 1094/QD-BNN-KN, approving the project to improve efficiency of agricultural extension activities and perfect the community-based agricultural extension.
The document aims to consolidate the agricultural extension system in the grassroots level to better serve agricultural restructuring, diversify agricultural extension activities, and improve the productivity, quality, and value of Vietnamese agricultural products,
Under the decision, a system of community-based agricultural extension groups will be launched in 13 piloting provinces and cities, and then replicate across the country.
To date, a total of 26 community-based agricultural extension groups have been established 13 localities, with 168 members.
In addition to the 13 cities and provinces participating in the first phase of the project, 30 other localities have established about 3,500 community-based agricultural extension groups.
According to the Hai Phong City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 136 community-based agricultural extension groups have been established in the city thus far, attracting around 1,160 members.
The groups have showed effective operation in mobilising farmers to join cooperatives, providing technical consultation to farmers, and connecting farmers with businesses and the market.
Director of the National Agricultural Extension Centre Le Quoc Thanh said that helping farmers get access to agricultural technology is the responsibility of agricultural extension agencies at all levels.
Therefore, the community-based agricultural extension groups focus on transferring technologies to farmers, and connecting them with businesses.
The National Agricultural Extension Centre reported that it has successfully organised 105 fairs with more than 25,000 booths showcasing products of 12,000 exhibitors.
The fairs, which also introduced achievements in applying science and technology to agricultural production, have attracted millions of visitors.
