Focus on promoting the central role of farmers in agricultural development, rural economy and new rural construction.

Comrade TRAN VAN BEN - Member of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial Farmers' Association answered the interview

- Dear comrade! Over the years, the Provincial Farmers' Association has always promoted the fine traditions of the peasant class, affirmed the important position and role of the association in social life, contributed to the successful implementation of the cause of industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas, and promoted the development of the local socio-economy. Could you please tell us about the highlights of the association's activities and the provincial farmers' movement in recent times?

Quang Tri Provincial Farmers' Association coordinated with the Economic Committee of the Central Vietnam Farmers' Association to organize the signing and handover of OCOP products of collectives and individuals supported to build in 2023 - Photo: NN

- It can be seen that the activities of the association and the farmers' movement in the province in recent times have been deployed, making each cadre, member and farmer clearly aware of the purpose and meaning of each activity, thereby making efforts to carry it out.

Under the leadership and direction of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, the Central Standing Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union, and the support and coordination of the government and departments, branches, organizations, and enterprises in the province, in the past term, all levels of the association and cadres and members of farmers in the province have promoted the spirit of solidarity, overcome all difficulties and challenges, strived to fulfill and exceed the targets set by the Resolution of the 11th Provincial Farmers' Union Congress for the 2018-2023 term, contributing positively to the socio-economic development and maintaining national defense and security of the province.

It is noteworthy that the work of propaganda, mobilization, gathering and developing farmer members and building a strong association has many innovations and is increasingly effective, contributing to raising political awareness and consolidating farmers' trust in the Party and State; the building of great national unity is increasingly receiving attention.

Thereby, the association at all levels has actively propagated and mobilized members, farmers and people to participate in patriotic emulation movements and campaigns, well implement conventions and village covenants in rural areas, create solidarity and unity among farmers, contributing to the success of the election of National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at all levels for the 2021-2026 term.

Implementing Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW of the Politburo on continuing to implement Directive No. 05-CT/TW dated May 15, 2016 of the Politburo (12th tenure) "On promoting studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle" with specific actions, bringing practical results.

Thanks to that, it has contributed to promoting the province's agricultural production in the past 5 years to continue to have many positive changes; agriculture has developed in the direction of clean, organic, linking and applying new science and technology to improve economic efficiency.

The total annual cultivated area reaches over 82,660 hectares, of which rice is 50,459 hectares; concentrated specialized crop areas have been formed and developed. Livestock farming has shifted strongly to the form of farms, semi-industrial intensive farming associated with disease safety and environmental sanitation, linked to the value chain.

Forestry has gradually promoted the advantages of economic afforestation, especially afforestation according to FSC standards, which has developed strongly with over 23,400 hectares, among the top in the country. Aquaculture has developed in terms of farming, fishing and fishing logistics services. The value of agricultural and aquatic production of the province has increased year after year.

In particular, during the past term, farmers have always trusted the leadership of the Party and the administration; upholding the tradition of diligence, creativity, self-reliance, and self-improvement, making an important contribution to the implementation of socio-economic development, national defense and security tasks of the province. The role of farmers as the main subject in agricultural development, rural economy and new rural construction continues to be affirmed.

Focus on promoting the central role of farmers in agricultural development, rural economy and new rural construction.

Farmers in Cam Thuy commune, Cam Lo district prepare land for growing crops - Photo: D.T

- Could you please provide more information about the two areas that have made an impression on the Provincial Farmers' Association, which are the movement "Farmers compete in production and business, unite to help each other get rich and reduce poverty sustainably" and the activities of consulting, supporting, providing services, and vocational training for farmers to develop production and business?

- The movement "Farmers compete in production, good business, unite to help each other get rich and reduce poverty sustainably" in recent times has been directed and implemented by all levels of the association with many specific solutions. Thereby, strongly arousing in farmers the spirit of hard work, creativity, promoting the potential and advantages of the locality, boldly investing in production development, improving economic efficiency.

Accordingly, every year, over 60% of farming households have registered to participate in the movement; 27,482 farming households have achieved the title of excellent production and business at all levels, reaching 54.28% of the number of registered households, an increase of 5,123 households compared to the beginning of the term (exceeding the set target by 20.95%).

From the movement, more and more typical farmers have emerged in production and business, earning billions of dong each year. Thereby, actively contributing to mutual love, mutual assistance, and helping each other with capital and techniques to develop production and business, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction and new rural construction in the locality.

Consulting, support, service and vocational training activities for farmers to develop production and business are always of interest and focus. Currently, the total source of the Farmers Support Fund at all levels in the province that the association is managing is 27,458 billion VND, lending to 753 households, building 362 effective agricultural - forestry - fishery models.

On the other hand, the program to support farmers in borrowing capital through banks has been implemented effectively. Up to now, the total capital borrowed through banks managed by the association is 2,535,435 billion VND (an increase of 1,300 billion VND compared to the previous year), creating favorable conditions for 32,989 farming households to borrow, helping farmers have conditions to invest in developing production and business, contributing to job creation and increasing income.

The work of perfecting the apparatus of the association at all levels and fostering professional training in association work has received attention and favorable conditions from local Party committees and authorities. The team of association officials at all levels has been rejuvenated, with qualifications and capacity to mobilize and gather members and farmers.

Focus on promoting the central role of farmers in agricultural development, rural economy and new rural construction.

Special agricultural products of Dakrong district farmers always attract customers' attention - Photo: D.T

- Dear comrade, in the coming time, how will the Provincial Farmers' Association strengthen innovation in content and methods of operation to soon put the Resolution of the 12th Provincial Farmers' Association Congress, term 2023-2028 into practice?

- The achievements in the past time demonstrate the strength, solidarity and efforts of all levels of the association and members, farmers in the whole province. In the coming time, to effectively implement the Resolution of the 12th Provincial Farmers' Association Congress, term 2023-2028, the Party Committee and the Standing Committee of the Provincial Farmers' Association require all levels of associations to develop action programs to implement the resolution; strengthen innovation in content and methods of operation to soon put the Resolution of the 12th Provincial Farmers' Association Congress into practice.

In particular, focusing on innovating methods of gathering and uniting farmers, actively participating in the development of the collective economy, establishing new professional associations and branches, improving the qualifications and skills of farmers and association officials at all levels; specifying the targets on building and consolidating a strong association organization. At the same time, promoting the role of direct democracy and representative democracy, the association organizes officials, members and farmers to contribute to the development and implementation of policies on agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

Effectively implement the 5 development perspectives towards ecological agriculture, modern countryside, civilized farmers as set out in Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas to 2030, with a vision to 2045 by the Party Central Committee (term XIII). Promote the bridging role of farmers' associations at all levels in linking "6 houses" including: Farmers - State - Scientists - Enterprises - Banks - Distributors to support members and farmers in developing production and business, improving the competitiveness of agricultural products and increasing farmers' income.

In particular, focus on advising on the development of programs and plans to thoroughly grasp and implement Resolution No. 46-NQ/TW on innovation and improvement of the quality of activities of the Vietnam Farmers' Union to meet the requirements of revolutionary tasks in the new period. Strengthen propaganda and mobilization work for members and farmers to well implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, especially those related to agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

Focus on promoting the central role of farmers in agricultural development, rural economy and new rural construction; build the image and example of Quang Tri farmers who are patriotic, united, responsible, respectful of sentiments, live in harmony, uphold the spirit of self-reliance, self-improvement, diligence and creativity, determined to develop prosperous agriculture and wealthy farmers; have skills and knowledge in production, business and integration.

Innovate and improve the quality and effectiveness of participation in monitoring and social criticism of farmers' associations at all levels, especially in matters related to agriculture, farmers and rural areas; participate in monitoring government activities and the performance of public duties by party members, cadres and civil servants. Promote the right of farmers to be masters at the grassroots level, participate in resolving and reconciling internal conflicts in rural areas, resolving farmers' difficulties and concerns, maintaining solidarity, contributing to strengthening farmers' trust in the Party, government and political system.

With the spirit of "Solidarity, democracy, creativity, cooperation, development", the Executive Committee of the Provincial Farmers' Association calls on all cadres, members, and farmers to continue to promote the revolutionary tradition, solidarity, initiative, creativity, strive to compete, strive, and be determined to successfully implement the Resolution of the 12th Congress of the Provincial Farmers' Association, contributing to the successful implementation of the goals set forth by the Resolution of the 17th Quang Tri Provincial Party Congress.

Thank you, comrade!

Dao Tam Thanh (performed)

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