Agricultural extension cannot be "contracted out"

In the new era, agriculture is not only about food production but also a green and sustainable economic sector. Therefore, the role of the agricultural extension system becomes more and more important, requiring the agricultural extension staff to play the role of an “extended arm” of science and technology, and the “heart” of innovation and development of agriculture and rural areas.

Farmers of Thai Phien flower village harvest chrysanthemums

Restructuring the agricultural extension system - an urgent requirement

Faced with changes in management mechanisms, organizational structure and requirements for green agriculture and new rural development, Vietnam's agricultural extension system is facing many challenges. The Conclusion Notice No. 371-TB/VPTW dated October 4, 2025 of General Secretary To Lam shows the deep concern of the Party and State for agricultural extension work. The General Secretary requested to thoroughly grasp the spirit of "agriculture is a national advantage, a pillar of the economy ", in which agricultural extension is an important task of the commune-level government, closely linked to the grassroots and fields.

Accordingly, Conclusion 371 directs provinces and cities to maintain provincial-level Agricultural Extension Centers, focusing on guiding, coordinating, urging, inspecting and supporting commune-level agricultural extension work. Regional and inter-commune agricultural extension stations are not organized. Commune-level public service units are established to perform multi-sectoral and multi-field basic public services, including agricultural extension functions and tasks. Commune-level Party committees and authorities must closely direct agricultural extension work and must not "outsource" it to public service units.

The General Secretary also directed to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of community agricultural extension groups, increase the dissemination of knowledge and production experience, and support farmers in linking to develop agricultural production.

Conclusion 371 is a guideline for local actions to perfect the agricultural extension system and improve the quality and effectiveness of the agricultural extension team in the new situation.

Building modern countryside and civilized farmers

At a recent working session with the People's Committee of Lam Dong province and officials of the agriculture and environment sector, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized: "Agricultural extension today is not just one-way knowledge transfer but requires two-way interaction, listening, understanding and accompanying farmers. In the new period, agricultural extension workers must be "innovation architects", helping farmers build brands, improve product quality, and build new rural areas. We are building an ecological agriculture, modern rural areas and civilized farmers. With such a goal, perfecting the agricultural extension system is the foundation to achieve this goal."

Lam Dong is an agricultural province with a fairly large proportion. The province's agricultural production land area is about more than 1 million hectares, with 107,306 hectares of high-tech agriculture, including 1,200 hectares of smart agriculture, 17 production areas and 10 enterprises recognized for applying high-tech agriculture. Currently, the province is making efforts to innovate the operation method of agricultural extension to both lead, guide, advise, and solve problems directly for localities, while consolidating and perfecting the community agricultural extension team according to the direction. However, according to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in order for the agricultural extension system to operate effectively after the reorganization, it is necessary to pay attention to removing difficulties and obstacles in the shortage of human resources and perfecting the policy mechanism to support agricultural extension work, creating a favorable environment for agricultural extension activities and especially training and standardizing the agricultural extension team to meet the current situation.

“Current technology is changing the way we produce, process and consume agricultural products. If the grassroots agricultural extension team is not equipped with the knowledge to support farmers in mastering technology, improving productivity and product quality, it will become redundant. To do this task well, in addition to improving the qualifications of staff, agricultural extension needs the participation of businesses, cooperatives, scientists and experts in the agricultural sector,” said Mr. Nguyen Song Vu - Director of Song Vu Organic Agriculture Cooperative.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/khuyen-nong-khong-duoc-khoan-trang-395946.html