Building a professional farmer workforce

Vietnam’s agriculture is undergoing a profound transformation, from small-scale, traditional practices to modern, high-tech models. In this process, farmers are at the center of change and must be empowered to apply their intellect, creativity, and practical innovations toward the sustainable development of agriculture.

Staff from Agricultural Service Center No. 16 guide coffee farmers in Dak O commune, Dong Nai Province, on cultivation techniques. Photo: Viet Bang

When equipped with knowledge, management skills, and the ability to apply science and technology, farmers become a key driving force in the modernization of agriculture. Therefore, building a professional and civilized farmer workforce has become a central goal in this period.

Supporting farmers

Aiming to develop an ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, and civilized farmers, the Dong Nai Farmers’ Association has achieved significant results during the 2020–2025 period. It has affirmed its role as a key player in new rural development, modern agricultural advancement, and international integration, contributing positively to the province’s overall achievements.

The province currently has more than 192,200 members across 95 grassroots associations, nearly 1,700 branches, and over 7,900 farmer groups. During the past term, the total loan balance from the provincial Farmers’ Support Fund exceeded 280.7 billion VND, generating hundreds of successful production and business models. The association, in coordination with the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies and local branches, has entrusted loans to over 67,200 households, with a total capital exceeding 3.5 trillion VND, helping farmers expand their production and increase their income.

In the coming period, Dong Nai’s Farmers’ Associations at all levels will focus on building a contingent of officials with firm political resolve, competence, integrity, prestige, and dedication to the farmers’ movement, as well as strengthening training in agricultural economics management and digital transformation in production.

Comrade Huynh Thi Hang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province

The movement “Farmers emulate in good production and business” has spread widely. The province now has over 86,000 farmers recognized for their good production and business practices, including nearly 2,000 at the provincial level and dozens at the national level.

High-tech agricultural models have been widely replicated. The province currently boasts more than 580 models applying advanced scientific and technical methods, 82 effective agricultural cooperatives, and numerous concentrated farming areas linked to sustainable consumption chains.

Notably, in the New Rural Development Movement, Dong Nai continues to lead the Southeast region and ranks among the top provinces nationwide. The average annual per capita income in rural areas has reached approximately 78 million VND, an increase of more than 2.5 times compared to 2015. The rural poverty rate has fallen to below 0.8%, while both the material and spiritual living standards of the population have significantly improved.

At a recent scientific seminar titled “Vietnamese Farmers – From Traditional to Professional and Smart”, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam affirmed that farmers are not only the direct producers but also the key agents of agricultural development. To enhance value, he emphasized the need to build the image of the professional farmer, one who applies science and technology and maintains a close linkage with enterprises and cooperatives. He called for the implementation of suitable policies to promote agricultural occupations, such as vocational training aligned with market needs and digital transformation, alongside support for value-chain-based production, agricultural extension services, and improved rural infrastructure.

A strong support system for farmers

At a ceremony marking the 95th Anniversary of the Vietnam Farmers’ Association (October 14, 1930 – October 14, 2025) and reviewing exemplary achievements of Dong Nai’s Farmers’ Association in the 2020–2025 term, Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Giang launched a new emulation campaign for the 2025–2030 period under the theme: “Association officials and members continue to unite, innovate, apply digital transformation, develop collective economies, and build smart new rural areas.” The campaign aims to build a strong organization and effectively implement major movements such as: Farmers emulate in good production and business, Unity in prosperity and sustainable poverty reduction; Farmers participate in developing the collective agricultural economy; Joining hands for the poor – leaving no one behind; All people unite to build new-style rural areas.

The durian cultivation model of Phu Vinh commune farmers brings high economic efficiency. Photo: Binh Nguyen

Comrade Huynh Thi Hang affirmed: The results achieved by Dong Nai’s Farmers’ Associations during the 2020–2025 period vividly demonstrate the organization’s important role in the province’s socio-economic development. The Farmers’ Association is not only a place that unites and supports farmers in developing their production, but also serves as a vital bridge between the Party, the government, and the people, while actively engaging in supervision, social criticism, and building a clean, strong political system.

Moving forward, the association will continue to consolidate and strengthen its organization, serving as a reliable pillar for farmers. It will promote the Good Production and Business Farmers’ Movement, fostering a strong shift from small-scale to cooperative and collective economies; developing new-style cooperatives, production groups, and value chains tied to stable markets.

The association will continue to focus on supporting and encouraging farmers to apply science and technology, access credit, restructure crop and livestock systems, and receive vocational training, with the aim of increasing productivity and improving both material and spiritual well-being. It will also enhance information dissemination and market forecasting for agricultural products, enabling better connections among producers, cooperatives, and businesses.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho