Movements to encourage farmers to be good at production and trading should be continued (Photo: nguyentandung.org)

(VOVworld) – The New Rural Development program is a major Party and Government guideline requiring the participation of the entire political system and society. As a member of the steering board for new rural development, the Farmers’ Association is a key driving force in implementing the Party’s resolution. VOV reporter To Tuan examines the Association’s role.  

The 80-year-old Vietnamese Farmers’ Association is a solid social and political organization operating from the central to the grassroots level to unite farmers in patriotism and emulation movements to boost production in the agricultural sector. Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading exporters of rice, coffee, pepper, and seafood. This year, despite adverse weather, Vietnam’s food output is expected to reach 40 million tons. It has already exported approximately 7 million tons of rice. At a recent working session with its leaders, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted the important role of the Farmers’ Association in providing consultancy for the Party and Government in new rural development. He saiad ‘Agriculture, farmers, and rural areas play a strategic role in Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization. These are key forces in developing the society and economy sustainably, and ensuring national security food security, and environmental protection’.

With more than 10 million members nationwide, the Vietnam Farmers’ Association has provided a core for campaigns to build new rural areas. The Association and its branches have supported farmers by organizing finding field-trips, running training courses in new technologies, helping farmers purchase farm equipment, materials, and fertilizers, setting up pilot models, and helping farmers obtain preferential bank loans. Movements to encourage farmers to help each other in production, trading, and poverty reduction have been combined with movements to build a more modern rural lifestyle. The programs have created a breakthrough in many rural areas. The association is working closely with the Government to forge a tighter linkage among farmers, scientists, businessmen and the government to increase the efficiency of agricultural production. Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, the President of the Ha Tinh Farmers’ Association, said ‘Thanks to information provided by local branches, we know that local leaders in some districts still consider new rural development a big project and have focused only on infrastructure development as a way to increase income and not on improving farmers’ productivity’.

To Tuan