That is the opinion of some experts and delegates raised at some recent seminars on replicating the community agricultural extension team (KNCĐ) model held in Can Tho City, Ca Mau...
The KNCĐ group is active.
According to the report of the National Agricultural Extension Center (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), after 2 years of implementing the pilot project "Improving the effectiveness of agricultural extension activities on the basis of perfecting the model of agricultural extension organization", the agricultural extension team model has been established and expanded in many localities across the country. Agricultural extension teams have had many activities that have contributed positively to the development of agriculture and rural areas in the localities.
Of which, the localities in the Mekong Delta region alone have established 1,108 KNCĐ groups with 11,831 members. Members of the KNCĐ groups are mainly commune leaders, commune civil servants, representatives of local associations and unions, representatives of cooperatives, and good farmers and businessmen.
Many KNCĐ groups in localities have coordinated with functional units to carry out agricultural extension work, deploy models, projects and transfer scientific and technical advances in production to enterprises, cooperatives and farmers. Promote digital transformation, link production according to value chains and build and develop standard agricultural, forestry and fishery raw material areas. Support cooperative development, provide policy advice, advise on establishment and guide the operation of cooperatives and cooperative groups.
In particular, the KNCĐ groups have actively participated in activities serving the Project on sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta.
Model of applying mechanization in rice production according to GlobalGAP standards to link the chain to increase product value in 2024, implemented by the Center for Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services of Hau Giang province.
In particular, although Hau Giang province is not on the list of 13 pilot provinces of the Project, it has also made efforts to implement according to the general direction. Currently, Hau Giang has established 51 KNCĐ Teams, with 562 members participating in order to achieve the goal of improving the efficiency of the grassroots agricultural extension system, linked to production needs and contributing to the implementation of local political tasks.
“In the past time, the KNCĐ groups have provided good advice to local authorities in consulting on the establishment and development of cooperatives and cooperatives; consulting on the need for using materials and equipment for production; coordinating with mass organizations and specialized sectors to open training courses on transferring technical advances, attending forums, seminars, workshops, etc., helping many farmers access and learn many experiences for production” – said a representative of the Hau Giang Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center.
Recently, in November 2024, the KNCĐ groups in Hau Giang successfully participated in the "Excellent Community Agricultural Extension Group" competition, with 8 participating teams.
Mr. Doan Ngoc Than - Director of the Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center of Hau Giang province said: The 2024 Excellent Farming and Agricultural Extension Team Competition is an opportunity to evaluate, recognize and honor the efforts of Farming and Agricultural Extension Teams in supporting farmers, helping to improve production efficiency and improve the quality of life. Create a space for Farming and Agricultural Extension Teams to exchange, learn from each other, share effective farming models, ways to handle practical problems and new initiatives.
“The competition also helps evaluate the quality of activities of the KNCĐ teams, test the implementation capacity, production support effectiveness and communication skills of the teams. In addition, the competition also helps identify the strengths and weaknesses of each team, thereby proposing measures to improve the quality of activities, support and promote the application of science and technology in production,” said Mr. Than.
Meanwhile, Mr. Phan Phi Hung, Head of Information, Promotion and Trade Promotion Department, An Giang Agricultural Extension Center said: “An Giang province has established 129 KNCĐ groups with 1,601 members. Through the process of operation, KNCĐ groups in communes, wards and towns have contributed to raising awareness and capacity of farmers in applying science and technology and linking production.
Many sustainable agricultural models have been implemented, helping people increase productivity, reduce production costs and increase income. KNCĐ groups also play an important role in protecting the rural environment, building green, clean and environmentally friendly production methods.
Select capable staff and build the KNCĐ team into a key force at the grassroots level.
Although certain results have been achieved, according to the assessment of the Hau Giang Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center, in general, the activities of the KNCĐ team in the area still have limitations, the activities are still formal, not going into substance. The team was established with the urgent requirement of meeting the criteria of a new rural commune, the team members are mainly part-time, so they are not really enthusiastic about the team's activities. In addition, difficulties in funding and equipment also contribute to affecting the effectiveness of the KNCĐ team's activities.
The qualifications of the members in the group are uneven, most of them are limited in knowledge and expertise to perform functions and tasks, especially knowledge of market development, cooperative management, value chain linkage, quality management, traceability, digital transformation in agricultural production, etc.
Leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Agricultural Extension Center surveyed the rice growing area to pilot the 1 million hectare high-quality rice project. Photo: Huynh Xay
Therefore, the representative of Hau Giang Agricultural Extension said that in selecting personnel to establish the KNCĐ team, it is necessary to focus on selecting people with knowledge and practical experience in agriculture, especially those who are prestigious in the community. This helps to increase trust from the people and improve the effectiveness of information transmission. Having resources and funding to carry out activities, paying reasonable salaries and training additional skills for the operating apparatus plays a decisive role in the effectiveness of the team's operations.
Many delegates also recommended that the central and local authorities should consider and have more support and incentive mechanisms and policies to promote the establishment and development of KNCĐ groups. Promote training, fostering and capacity building activities for KNCĐ groups and arrange and mobilize resources well to support and create conditions for KNCĐ groups to operate effectively. Strengthen the connection and coordination between KNCĐ groups and relevant parties to operate according to the motto of multi-value integration and mutual development...
Mr. Do Da Giang, Head of the International Cooperation and Consulting Department (National Agricultural Extension Center) suggested: “The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should consider and coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue documents guiding the organization of community-based agricultural extension activities, building and developing community-based agricultural extension teams to become the main force of the agricultural sector at the grassroots level. People's Committees of provinces and cities should pay attention to issuing policies and mechanisms, allocating financial support, and creating favorable conditions for community-based agricultural extension teams to operate…”.
According to Mr. Le Tri Nhan, an officer of the Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Consulting Center of Ben Tre province, in the context of limited funding for agricultural extension activities, it is necessary to do a good job of socialization. KNCĐ groups need to invite businesses to participate and share, connect, and closely link with each other in raw material areas and production areas. Strong socialization in linking with input and output businesses is an important key to help the group operate effectively.
Comment (0)