In 2024, despite facing many subjective and objective difficulties from the limitations of partners as well as changes in policies and regulations of the State, the shortage of raw materials for animal feed, supplies, industrial chemicals, especially the unusual weather and storm Yagi 2024 which affected farming and processing activities in some northern provinces, however, fisheries extension activities still achieved many remarkable progress. The National Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with different stakeholders, implemented multiple aquaculture projects that improved productivity and efficiency.
In the past year, 12 freshwater aquaculture projects covering 19.35 ha of ponds, 400 m² of water surface and 4,737 m³ of cages were executed by the National Agricultural Extension Center in coordination with partners. These projects introduced advanced farming methods that outperformed traditional practices such as raising red tilapia in cages with a yield of 10 - 15 kg/m³; or black carp farming achieved a yield of over 40 kg/m³.
Regarding brackish and saltwater aquaculture, the Center has initiated 16 projects with a scale of 630,000 fry; an area of 223.4 ha; 10,000 m² of cages and 1,626 m³ of cages. As a result, the brown fish project achieved a yield of over 3.6 tons/ha; cage fish farming yield reached 10-15 kg/m³; intensive white-leg shrimp yield exceeded 12 tons/ha; giant freshwater prawn yield reached over 500 kg/ha, etc. These results demonstrated an economic efficiency increase of at least 15% compared to traditional practices. Additionally, 100% of products from these projects were contracted for market consumption, ensuring stable income for farmers. Organic and VietGAP certification models were also implemented successfully.
In Fishing sector, the Center also launched 3 fishing projects in 2024, involving 50 ships and a product processing and preservation initiative. These projects aimed to reduce post-harvest losses to below 12%, improve ice usage efficiency to nearly 97%, and to boost economic returns by over 15%.
In addition, the Center has also implemented 2 clean salt production projects with a scale of 6 hectares, with productivity increased by ≥10% compared to the traditional salt production method. The products meet TCVN 9638:2013 standards for raw salt, thanks to the linkage with businesses in the value chain, ensuring the consumption of over 90% of the model's salt products. These initiatives significantly improved the capacity of salt production cooperatives and groups while ensuring sustainable market access.
Community agricultural extension teams have performed well in their functions and tasks such as supporting and advising farmers and cooperatives on agricultural extension; supporting, consulting on cooperative development; doing support the market linkage facilitation to expand trade opportunities for agricultural products; consulting, guiding digital transformation in agriculture; and Policy implementation and local governance support for agricultural management.
The establishment of the Community Agricultural Extension Team has reconnected the Agricultural Extension system, demonstrating the core role of “Being a bridge between farmers, cooperatives and businesses”. One of the most significant contributions of community agricultural extension is its role in expanding market access for agricultural products. By establishing direct connections between farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises, it helps find stable output for agricultural products; avoid uncertainty and risks of agricultural products; create a sustainable, safe and effective production environment. This structured market linkage prevents financial losses caused by market fluctuations and oversupply. The involvement of businesses, social-political organizations, and cooperatives further strengthens the supply chain, making agricultural trade more reliable and profitable.
This is a new direction to connect the agricultural extension system, the business community, political-social and professional organizations. This also aims to better support farmers in applying technical advances and useful solutions to production, helping to improve livelihoods, increase income, contributing to building an effective and sustainable agriculture in the direction of ecological agriculture, modern countryside, civilized farmers, so that community agricultural extension becomes the subconscious of farmers. The creation of Community Agricultural Extension is in line with the general development trend of the agricultural sector. By shifting from technical agricultural extension to demand-driven agricultural extension, the model creates a collaborative environment where cooperatives, businesses, and policymakers work together for agricultural growth.
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Enterprises and cooperatives have also recognized the role of Community Agricultural Extension, proactively connecting with this structure according to the motto “if you want to go far, go together”. Localities have also recognized the role of Community Agricultural Extension and paid attention to and created conditions for Community Agricultural Extension Teams to operate.
To further enhance the effectiveness of community agricultural extension, it is necessary to urgently complete the model regulations on the activities of community agricultural extension groups and develop guiding documents to replicate the model of community agricultural extension groups. In addition, it is necessary to continue training to enhance the capacity of community agricultural extension groups, prioritizing knowledge and skills on cooperative development, production linkage, product promotion, digital transformation, etc. Localities also need to pay attention to directing the establishment and improvement of community agricultural extension groups; creating favorable conditions for the working environment, headquarters, and equipment for community agricultural extension groups to operate, and at the same time developing and promulgating policies to support community agricultural extension activities.
In conclusion, community agricultural extension has proven to be a transformative force in modern agriculture. By bridging the gap between farmers, cooperatives, enterprises, and policymakers, it fosters a more sustainable, efficient, and profitable agricultural ecosystem. The success of pilot projects highlights the potential of scaling up community agricultural extension initiatives nationwide.
With continued government support, enterprise collaboration, and farmer participation, the model can further strengthen agricultural value chains, improve livelihoods, and contribute to long-term food security. By focusing on innovation, market integration, and sustainable practices, community agricultural extension will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of modern agriculture.
Huong Tra