Focusing on agricultural training and vocational education to professionalize farmers

When farmers improve their professionalism

In the context of Vietnam's transformation to economic agriculture, eliminating output-based thinking and pushing farmers toward sustainable profit growth are well appreciated. In addition to being a widespread issue, professionalization is fragmented in terms of adoption by production methods, farmers, and relationships.

MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan noted that a professional farmer possesses the knowledge, production expertise, and economic understanding. A professional farmer is also a thoughtful individual who considers the health of others for the common good, acknowledges the power of cooperation spirit, and actively participates in communal economic organization.

Currently, agriculture is approaching a new trend, necessitating a mindset change among farmers. Farmers' profits and income are determined by market conditions. Experience gained in the past also applies to a limited area, but it becomes inapplicable to new situations as the market and land conditions change.

The new circumstances require strong cooperation between farmers and farmers and between farmers and businesses.

Farmers must be trained, according to Minister Le Minh Hoan, in order for them to meet the ever-increasing demands of an ever-more-competitive market, providing high value with less production. When farmers are capable and skilled, the organization of production will become more comprehensive, from the method in which it is structured to the processing, preservation, and trading of agricultural goods. Farmers will be able to sell agricultural products at a better price. In addition to productivity, income today now depends on market knowledge and commercial abilities.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan, Chairman of the Canh Tan Association, which specializes in longan production in An Hoa hamlet, An Nhon commune, Chau Thanh district, this unit has evolved from its original model of a small group into the An Hoa safe agricultural cooperative. Over 120 members of the cooperative participate in manufacturing by VietGAP and LocalGAP standards. The cooperative has been issued a planting area code for exporting longan to Europe, Australia, the United States, Japan, and China.

Moreover, cooperative members desire access to science and technology, market information, particularly bargaining skills, and the ability to link the production and consumption of products.

Vocational training in agriculture for students

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Can Dean of the Faculty of Rural Development, Can Tho University said that the unit has launched several domestic and international initiatives and projects to transfer and promote scientific advancements, innovative agricultural practices, and technology to farmers.

Can Tho University's Mekong Delta Development Research Institute has undertaken the "Conservation and Development of Community Biodiversity in the Mekong Delta" project. After 15 years of implementation, more than 20,000 farmers have been taught community seed selection and production procedures, 358 production groups have been established, and annually over 100,000 tons of certified rice seeds are supplied, satisfying 20-30% of the entire demand for rice varieties.

These farmers have evolved into a team of experts in selecting new rice varieties, making a substantial contribution to the concept of socializing rice breeding throughout the provinces of the Mekong Delta.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Can states that agriculture education for high school students is a long-term strategic plan toward the creation of a professional farmer team while discussing the path to professional farmer development. To implement this goal, Can Tho University will progressively integrate agricultural education activities into the formal vocational training curriculum for junior high and high school students.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Can presented a solution based on practical experience in nations with successful agricultural growth, so there should be a model of agricultural high school to teach farmers in the future. In this approach, in addition to acquiring cultural knowledge, high school students will also be equipped with knowledge of practical agricultural science, allowing them to participate in the full production value chain of the agricultural business. This is a model of the Mekong Delta that may be used for reference and application to facilitate the development of a team of expert farmers.

Mr. Dang Quoc Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of South Central Group, an enterprise specializing in the growth of the shrimp industry in the Mekong Delta, stated that both farmers and businesses must be professional in order to establish a team of professional farmers. To do this, it has conducted several intense training programs in aquaculture, enhancing the understanding of its staff and management. Additionally, the operation method must be standardized.

Farmers must be accompanied by businesses in order to assess their efficiency. In addition, there must be a connection between businesses because no single business can take absolute control.   From the manufacturing of shrimp, it is possible to develop professional associations and groups. Mr. Tuan stated that Vietnam's agriculture is currently evolving in this direction, which is an unavoidable development.