This is one of dozens of training courses to improve capacity for agricultural extension staff being implemented by the National Agricultural Extension Center, the Central Office for New Rural Development Coordination, and Thien Tam Fund (Vingroup).

Many cooperative officers and agricultural extension officers participated.

The training course "Improving capacity for key cooperative staff and grassroots agricultural extension staff" at Tay Bac University had 60 participants who were key staff of 20 cooperatives and agricultural extension/agricultural departments from the provinces of the Northwest, Hai Phong, Thai Binh and Hanoi. The lecturers were experts from the National Agricultural Extension Center; Center for Testing, Verification and Quality Services; lecturers from Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, School of Agricultural and Rural Development Management Staff.

The training content includes topics that many people are interested in such as creating and analyzing production and business plans; brand recognition; cooperative management, finance, accounting; pest management in citrus gardens; techniques for cultivating orange and grapefruit trees according to VietGAP; fruit tree technical handbook...

To make the training sessions more exciting and attract more people to express their opinions and participate in discussions, the above topics were raised by experts, questions were raised and implemented in the form of group discussions.

In addition, the trainees also visited some typical economic models in Son La province, so everyone participating in the training was very interested, diligently taking notes and exchanging information.

At the end of October 2024, at Tay Nguyen University, a training course to improve the capacity of cooperative leaders and grassroots agricultural extension officers from 5 provinces in the Central Highlands was held. The training course lasted 1 week and was jointly organized by Can Tho University, the Central Office for New Rural Area Coordination, the National Agricultural Extension Center, Thien Tam Fund (Vingroup), Tay Nguyen University and CDC Community Development Center.

The training course helped trainees solve the most common problems and weaknesses today, which are Agricultural Cooperative Management: Focusing on the role of cooperatives, new points in the 2023 Cooperative Law and solutions for developing agricultural products. OCOP program and digital technology application: Introducing AgriDataGo software in agricultural management and practical experience from successful startups. Financial management: Steps in financial management, capital mobilization and report analysis, helping cooperatives master sustainable financial strategies.

Trainees are also trained in market development skills: Guidance on building business plans, creating conditions for cooperatives to expand and develop sustainably. New technologies in sustainable production: Reducing emissions, adapting to climate change and preservation and processing technologies to increase added value. Circular economy and carbon credit market: Helping cooperatives develop production in a sustainable, circular and environmentally friendly direction.

Mr. Hoang Van Hong - Deputy Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center said: The training courses organized in recent times are not only an opportunity to improve the capacity of key staff, but also create a strong driving force for the sustainable development of key raw material areas. The application of technology and improvement of management capacity are important steps to help cooperatives and agricultural extension officers promote their role in the agricultural value chain, promote the local economy and effectively connect to the market.

Helping cooperatives develop sustainably

According to the leader of the National Agricultural Extension Center, the training courses are implemented with different topics suitable for the characteristics of agricultural production in each region and locality. For example, the training course that opened on October 15 in Can Tho focused on the following topics: Effective management of agricultural cooperatives; market development skills; Cooperative financial management; technologies in sustainable agricultural production, emission reduction and climate change adaptation.

Accordingly, the students shared practical experiences from successful startups (experts in livestreaming), shared about AgriDatago software and practiced; visited Khiet Tam rice production cooperative (Vinh Thanh district, Can Tho city), Ky Nhu Aquatic Cooperative and some businesses in Hau Giang province.

Ms. Lai Thanh Hoa - representative of Thien Tam Fund (Vingroup Corporation) informed: Starting from September 2022, the fund has implemented a new model called "Cooperative project linking with farmers to develop the economy and escape poverty sustainably".

The model has been piloted at 3 typical cooperatives in Thai Nguyen and Son La provinces, and has been highly appreciated by central agencies, departments and branches of Thai Nguyen and Son La provinces, local authorities as well as cooperatives and people for its creativity and breakthrough in implementation methods and helping people escape poverty sustainably.

In 2023, Thien Tam Fund coordinated with the National Agricultural Extension Center and the Central Office for New Rural Area Coordination to support 20 typical cooperatives in 11 provinces and cities. This year, the Fund continued to coordinate with the above units to survey 171 cooperatives in 40 provinces/cities across the country. After a careful assessment and selection process, the Central units selected 69 typical cooperatives that met the criteria to participate in the program.

Up to now, Thien Tam Fund has completed the disbursement of funds to 69 cooperatives nationwide, and quickly implemented the handover and support of equipment, materials, seedlings, and livestock to keep up with the crop season for cooperatives and people.