MAE promotes the establishment of a Mekong Delta agricultural extension center

Accelerating the effective implementation of the 1 million hectare rice project

On August 7, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam held a working session in Can Tho city with leaders of the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC) and officials at the Coordination Office for Agriculture and Rural Affairs in the Mekong Delta region.

The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of agricultural extension tasks and activities planned from now until the end of 2025, as well as the operations of the Coordination Office for Agriculture and Rural Affairs in the Mekong Delta.

According to NAEC, the unit will soon establish a regional agricultural extension center in the Mekong Delta and take over the functions and responsibilities of the Coordination Office for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Mekong Delta. The office currently operates under the Steering Committee for Agricultural and Rural Development in the region (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment - MAE).

In addition, the NAEC will promote the formation of a Mekong Delta Agricultural Experts Club, which aims to mobilize experts, scientists, enterprises, and dedicated individuals to contribute their knowledge and innovative ideas, thereby strengthening agricultural extension activities and fostering the development of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.

From now until the end of 2025, agricultural extension activities in the Mekong Delta will be implemented with strong determination, with a focus on effectively supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality and Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong River Delta By 2030 Project (in short, the Project of One Million Hectares Rice Program).

NAEC Director General Le Quoc Thanh stated that a highlight of the planned activities will be the conference to review Mekong Delta agricultural extension achievements, scheduled to be held in Can Tho City in September 2025. The event will gather leaders of MAE, Mekong Delta provinces and cities, enterprises, international organizations, and grassroots agricultural extension systems to summarize on-the-ground experiences, address challenges, and set policy directions for the next phase.

In parallel, Mekong Delta agricultural extension will host 5 thematic events, including public-private partnership cooperation forums, roundtables on rice value chain linkages, high-tech agriculture development, and a conference on digital transformation in agricultural production. Media outreach for the Project of One Million Hectares of High-quality Rice will also be intensified through press and broadcasting channels.

On training, by the end of 2025, NAEC will coordinate to organize 64 training courses and three field study trips. Training topics will cover a wide range from low-emission rice cultivation techniques, digital technology applications, and circular economy practices to aquaculture value chain linkages and modern agricultural mindsets. Notably, MRV training courses and E-learning programs will support localities in monitoring and assessing model effectiveness according to international standards.

NAEC will also continue to direct the scaling-up of model initiatives in the Mekong Delta, such as rice-fish and organic rice–shrimp farming, mechanized straw management, mushroom production from agricultural by-products, organic coconut cultivation, and high-quality low-emission rice production. These models are being deployed in provinces such as Dong Thap, An Giang, Ca Mau, and Vinh Long.

Regarding organizational structure, the process of consolidating provincial agricultural extension centers and inter-commune technical stations is being accelerated. However, community-based agricultural extension groups in many localities are still awaiting guidance on restructuring under the two-tier government model. Provinces have proposed that MAE issue directives soon to stabilize the organizational framework, enabling the effective implementation of the Project of One Million Hectares of High-quality Rice.

"With the cooperation of local authorities, enterprises, and the media system, agricultural extension will serve as a crucial bridge, bringing science, technology, and market linkages to farmers, contributing to building a more sustainable and greener Mekong Delta agriculture," emphasized Director Le Quoc Thanh.

Establishing the Mekong Delta regional agricultural extension center is essential

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam has instructed the NAEC to promptly complete all legal procedures to establish the Mekong Delta regional agricultural extension center under the NAEC.

He emphasized that setting up this center is crucial, as the Mekong Delta is the country’s key agricultural production region. At the same time, procedures for transferring the Coordination Office for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Mekong Delta to the new regional center must be expedited. The process should include consolidating the organizational structure, developing operational regulations, and submitting them to MAE for issuance.

In addition, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam emphasized the need to expedite the establishment of the Mekong Delta Agricultural Experts Club. It is expected that, beyond carrying out the functions and responsibilities of the regional agricultural extension center, the Coordination Office for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Mekong Delta will also take on tasks assigned by MAE. The Office will serve as a hub for connecting and organizing activities of both the Mekong Delta Agricultural Experts Club and community-based agricultural extension groups, thereby supporting NAEC in operating effectively.