National Agricultural Extension signed a memorandum of understanding to expand sustainable farming with Bayer Company

Overview of the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between the National Agricultural Extension Center and Bayer Vietnam Company Limited. Photo: Nghia Le

Accordingly, the National Agricultural Extension Center and Bayer Vietnam Co., Ltd. will become strategic partners, cooperating in areas where both sides have strengths and urgent needs. Specifically, the two sides will jointly expand sustainable farming models and promote rice, durian, and coffee production with the goal of improving efficiency and ensuring safety, thereby increasing productivity and product quality for the Vietnamese market by 2025.

The project also focuses on transferring new technologies and applying advanced agronomic solutions, helping farmers easily access modern techniques. In addition, Bayer will support the training of technical staff and farmers through systematic training programs, aiming to popularize the most advanced farming methods. The National Agricultural Extension Center will take on the role of connecting and creating conditions for farmers in key production areas to access and apply new models, thereby gradually improving their lives and incomes.

Mr. Kedelesara Govinda Rao Krishnamurthy (left) – Director of Crop Science , Bayer Vietnam and Mr. Le Quoc Thanh (right) – Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center performed the cooperation signing ceremony under the witness of leaders of both sides. Photo: Nghia Le

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, expressed his joy at the effective cooperation between the National Agricultural Extension Center and Bayer Vietnam Company Limited through the ForwardFarming program. He commented that this is a positive solution in the project to build 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice to meet the needs of sustainable agriculture .

Mr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, exudes a deep sense of responsibility for the sustainable development of the country's agriculture. Photo: Nghia Le

In addition, the special thing about this cooperation is not only the experimental models in the fields, but also the focus on the human factor. Through the project, many farmers have been trained properly and equipped with the necessary knowledge to move towards sustainable production. Mr. Thanh said: "This is a practical measure, contributing to the strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 'intellectualizing' farmers, helping them master technical advances."

The National Agricultural Extension Center directly surveyed and listened to the opinions of farmers and most of them wanted to have the opportunity to access new knowledge, receive training and improve their skills. Mr. Thanh affirmed: “That is the motivation for the National Agricultural Extension Center and Bayer Vietnam to promote training activities, to help farmers be more confident on the path of sustainable production”.

In addition to technology transfer, Mr. Thanh also emphasized the importance of supporting farmers in farm management and environmental protection. He appreciated Bayer's efforts in accompanying farmers, not only in the production stage but also in the process of bringing products to market. "We believe that through this program, farmers will be fully equipped with skills and knowledge to meet the standards of the modern agricultural market. That will not only help increase the value of products but also contribute to creating a safe and sustainable farming environment," Mr. Thanh shared.

He added that in the coming time, the National Agricultural Extension Center will expand similar programs, creating conditions for farmers to access and apply technical advances more effectively, helping them reap success on the path to sustainable agriculture.

Also at the ceremony, Mr. Kedelesara Govinda Rao Krishnamurthy, Director of Crop Science, Bayer Vietnam, said: “With the desire to improve agricultural productivity and find innovative farming methods, integrated management models and model farms will be deployed in key growing areas, to disseminate best practices to rice, durian and coffee farmers.”

Mr. Kedelesara Govinda Rao Krishnamurthy (middle), Director of Crop Science, Bayer Vietnam, hopes for strong cooperation between the two sides on the Cooperation Program to expand sustainable farming models, improve productivity and quality of rice, durian, and coffee in Vietnam by 2025. Photo: Nghia Le

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Agricultural Extension Center have made a strong commitment to developing 1 million hectares of high-quality rice and reducing emissions in the Mekong Delta. The project will focus on 7 key provinces including An Giang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Soc Trang, Can Tho and Hau Giang - areas with great potential and important pillars in rice cultivation nationwide.

To achieve this goal, Bayer and the National Agricultural Extension Center will develop demonstration farms where farmers will have access to advanced and efficient farming methods. Through intensive training, best practices will be widely disseminated, helping farmers improve their farm management capacity and protect their crops from climate change and pests. Tracking and traceability systems will also be improved to ensure the quality of agricultural products and enhance their sustainability.

In addition, educational materials will be published and distributed through familiar channels to farmers, helping them easily access and apply sustainable farming methods. Bayer will work with farmers to directly test and optimize crop protection solutions, aiming to improve the productivity and quality of rice, durian, and coffee, towards a sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly agriculture.

The cooperation between the two sides will be a strong step forward to expand the sustainable farming model, improve the productivity and quality of rice, durian, and coffee in Vietnam by 2025. Photo: Nghia Le

To scale up the ForwardFarming project, Bayer Vietnam and the National Agricultural Extension Center have outlined specific plans to promote sustainable agriculture in Vietnam. These plans include research and development of advanced technologies to increase rice yield and quality, while minimizing emissions during cultivation.

The two sides will also expand their strategic partnership network and enhance training activities to equip farmers in the Mekong Delta with the necessary skills and knowledge. Step by step, this project will not only improve the lives of farmers but also contribute to building sustainable, high-quality and environmentally friendly agriculture.

In addition, Bayer Vietnam also created the Better Life Farming Program to create strong links in the value chain, helping farmers easily access markets, capital and necessary consulting services.

Working with local partners such as the National Agricultural Extension Center, the program supports the development of sustainable farming models for key crops such as rice, coffee and durian. The initiative not only helps improve productivity and product quality but also builds the foundation for a safe and sustainable agriculture in the future.

Source: https://danviet.vn/khuyen-nong-quoc-gia-ky-ket-bien-ban-ghi-nho-hop-tac-mo-rong-canh-tac-ben-vung-voi-cong-ty-bayer-20241014203629583.htm