Forms of agricultural extension in Vietnam

Forms of agricultural extension in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is agricultural extension?

According to Clause 1, Article 2 of Decree 83/2018/ND-CP, “agricultural extension” means the transfer of technological advances, dissemination of knowledge and provision of professional training to farmers in order to improve capacity for and efficiency in agricultural production and trade, environmental protection and new rural development.

2. Forms of agricultural extension in Vietnam

Agricultural extension forms and specific forms for agricultural technology transfer include:

- Central agricultural extension forms and specific forms for central government agricultural technology transfer include:

+ Central agricultural extension programs (a period of 05-10 years);

+ Regular agricultural extension tasks (every year);

+ Other agricultural technology transfer programs and plans approved by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

- Local agricultural extension forms and specific forms for agricultural technology transfer include:

+ Local agricultural extension programs (a period of 03-05 years);

+ Local agricultural extension plan (every year);

+ Other agricultural technology transfer programs and plans approved by the People’s Committee of the province or central-affiliated city (hereinafter referred to as “the province”)

The agricultural extension and agricultural technology transfer forms above are carried out by assigning tasks or placing orders as prescribed by applicable laws.

(Article 11 of Decree 83/2018/ND-CP)

3. Rules for agricultural extension in Vietnam

Agricultural extension activities are carried out based on the principles specified in Article 4 of Decree 83/2018/ND-CP, specifically as follows:

- Agricultural extension comes from production and market demands and State’s orientations towards agricultural development.

- Active and voluntary role of organizations and individuals involved in agricultural extension and their responsibilities for providing explanation are enhanced.

- Democracy and openness are ensured. The public’s supervision and state management are carried out.

- Agricultural extension activities, forms and methods are conformable to each area, producer and ethnic group.

- Technological advances and technology to be transferred should be recognized or approved by a competent authority.

- Close connection between regulatory authorities, scientific research institutions and enterprises and farmers and between farmers is established.

- Private sector involvement in agricultural extension is encouraged and agricultural extension services are expanded to encourage domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to participate in agricultural technology transfer.

- Priority is given to agricultural extension in disadvantaged and extremely disadvantaged areas.

- Priority is given to women and ethnics, organizations with high percentage of women or ethnics involved in agricultural extension.

4. Objectives of agricultural extension in Vietnam

The objectives of agricultural extension include:

- Improve efficiency in production and trade by organizations and individuals involved in agriculture in order to raise income, reduce poverty, enrich, respond to ecological conditions and climate change and market through agricultural extension activities, methods and forms.

- Contribute to agricultural economic restructuring towards commodity development, improvement in productivity and food quality and safety to meet domestic and export demands;

- Accelerate agricultural economic restructuring process towards increase in added value and sustainable development, and in association with new rural development;

- Improve disaster resilience; ensure national food security and socio-economic stability, and protect the environment.

- Encourage domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to participate in agricultural technology transfer.

(Article 3 of  Decree 83/2018/ND-CP)

Thanh Rin

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