Notably, in the field of advanced technology transfer, the Community Agricultural Extension Teams have coordinated with international organizations such as GIZ (Germany) and JICA (Japan) to organize 16 intensive training courses on planting and techniques for Arabica coffee, Queen custard apple, and intensive cultivation of spread-out custard apple. At the same time, several training courses on Marketing, VietGAP certification, and basic GAP have been implemented for 440 farmers, thereby gradually forming a mindset of safe production, and linking to market demand. In addition, with support from the National Agricultural Extension Center, the Community Agricultural Extension Teams have also organized six (06) field courses on restoring production after natural disasters for 180 people, two (02) direct technical consultation sessions for 120 households, and six (06) training conferences on rural occupations for 540 participants.

Contributing to the development of raw material areas and the development of agricultural commodities

Through specific and practical activities, the KNCĐ groups have become a force. It accompanies the local authorities in developing concentrated raw material areas, improving productivity, quality, and added value for agricultural commodities; several production models, according to the value chain associated with the development of growing area codes, traceability, organic farming production, etc., have been effectively implemented by the KNCĐ groups in localities.

Not only do the KNCĐ groups stop at technical agricultural extension work, but they also actively disseminate and mobilize people to join cooperative teams and cooperatives, connecting with enterprises and cooperatives to consume farm products, thereby promoting the transition from small-scale production to concentrated, large-scale, linked commodity production.

Promoting the role of grassroots agricultural extension forces

According to the assessment by the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La, the implementation of the pilot project to establish a community extension team has contributed to changing the approach and support for farmers from a traditional form to a people-oriented approach, with farmers at the center. The community extension teams are increasingly demonstrating their role as "extended arms" of the agricultural sector at the grassroots level, helping people update information, apply technical advances, and develop sustainable production.

In the coming period, Son La province will continue to replicate the model of community extension teams with the development orientation of specialized areas for key crops such as coffee, fruit trees, safe vegetables, medicinal plants, etc.; the province will also focus on training and fostering skills for grassroots agricultural extension forces, strengthening links with domestic and foreign organizations to mobilize resources for promoting effective agricultural development, adapting to climate change, and increasing income for rural people.

Quoc Tuan

Translated by tuan Minh Dang