Factors Affecting Agricultural Extension Model

- Agricultural extension model demonstrating results

To bring a new technique or a technical innovation to farmers, it is necessary to go through 3 steps: Discovering the technique; Testing and proving; Recommending.

Technical discovery is often carried out in research institutions (scientific institutes, professional schools, research centers), sometimes arising from the farmers themselves due to the need to improve labor productivity and product quality. Testing and demonstration are often carried out in research institutions (by scientists) or right in the fields (by researchers, agricultural extension officers and farmers). Sometimes testing and demonstration are simply carried out by farmers themselves. In agricultural, forestry and fishery production, most new techniques require testing and demonstration by farmers right in their fields (or farms) before being recommended as improved techniques for the region.

The stage of the process of demonstrating techniques is called “Demonstration”. Demonstration is a traditional and effective communication channel, providing evidence that a technique has been improved, is supported by extension workers and can be applied locally. Under the guidance of extension workers, farmers (selected as models) or collaborators carry out demonstrations. Demonstrations can include a single technique such as the use of a fertilizer (e.g. NPK) in rice cultivation or a combination of techniques (e.g. cultivation techniques on sloping land).

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The principle of demonstrating results is to arrange a new technical test batch next to the batch applying the old, traditional technique in order to create

evidence for easy comparison (Nguyen Manh Ha, 2007).

- Agricultural extension model demonstrating method

A method demonstration is a short demonstration, conducted by extension workers or collaborators. The purpose of a method demonstration is to convey information about a skill or the best way to perform a technique. During the demonstration, the extension worker guides the collaborators in preparation, explaining each step in the implementation process. Participants observe, listen, and ask questions (during the demonstration or at the end of the session) to elicit any remaining information.

Method demonstration is the process of conveying information about skills, so to ensure that the recipient understands the information, it is necessary to repeat the operations while combining listening, seeing and practicing immediately to provide certainty about the information received. Method demonstration is not to prove the value of a technique but to provide information on how to do a certain job (Nguyen Manh Ha, 2007). For example: How to graft a grapefruit tree.

1.1.2.3 Contents of theoretical agricultural extension models

Training : professional training for agricultural extension officers at all levels and units participating in agricultural extension activities; development of agricultural extension materials; domestic and foreign study surveys;

Training and coaching to improve professional qualifications, skills, and knowledge of policies and laws for individuals working in agricultural extension; Training on production techniques, knowledge of policies, production management and business organization in agriculture for producers; Training agricultural occupations for rural workers.

Information and propaganda : organizing agricultural promotion events (forums, seminars, competitions, fairs, exhibitions); propaganda on mass media;

Agricultural Extension newsletter and website; building agricultural extension database; agricultural extension documents and publications;

Propagating the State's guidelines, policies and laws on agriculture and agricultural extension; Disseminating technical advances, effective production and business models, typical advanced models in the field of agriculture and agricultural extension activities; Market information, prices of agricultural products and agricultural materials; Building a database of information on agricultural extension organizations and activities.

Building agricultural extension models : Building agricultural extension models applying advanced, appropriate technical and technological advances that have been recognized or approved, including: Commodity production models; Organic agricultural production models; Agricultural production models responding to climate change, overcoming natural disasters and epidemics; Production linkage models, organizing and managing agricultural production and business effectively and sustainably; Poverty reduction models; High-tech application models.

Model replication : Transferring results from advanced production models and examples to a large scale. Model replication is carried out through training, coaching, information and propaganda, conferences and seminars according to agricultural extension programs and plans approved by competent authorities.

1.1.2.4. Factors affecting agricultural extension models

a) Subjective factors

Agricultural extension officer

The qualifications of agricultural extension officers have a direct impact on the results of agricultural extension work. Only with solid professional qualifications can agricultural extension officers meet the technical requirements of their work. However, with qualifications but lacking enthusiasm, love for the job, and the ability to endure hardship, work efficiency will not be high and the quality of work will be poor. Therefore, each agricultural extension officer, in addition to solid expertise, must also have a heart that loves the job and farmers.

Only then can one become a good agricultural extension officer and create conditions to improve the effectiveness of agricultural extension models.

In addition, agricultural extension officers are also the most important factor in research and transfer of scientific advances in agriculture. The results of research and transfer of science and technology depend largely on the quantity and quality of this human resource - not only the research and transfer staff but also the human resources receiving the transfer, which are the subjects of application of technical advances. From here, it directly affects the results of agricultural extension models.

Production worker level

The level of the producer also greatly affects the efficiency of the work as well as the efficiency of the agricultural extension models. If the level of the producer is high, it will create favorable conditions for the absorption of technical advances brought by agricultural extension officers. The high level of the producer also makes them more responsive to new and different things, from which they can make adjustments to adapt to new production conditions.

On the contrary, if the level of the producer is low, it will be very difficult to transfer science and technology, and sometimes it will cause the failure of an agricultural extension project because it does not meet the technical requirements of the work. This will negatively affect the performance of the agricultural extension model.

Funding for agricultural extension activities

Capital is also considered one of the factors that directly affect the performance of agricultural extension models. Agricultural extension programs and projects need to have enough capital for farmers to produce. This is a very important factor to put technical equipment into production because to replace the old and introduce the new, the first factor must be capital. Abundant capital will make agricultural extension models operate more effectively and vice versa.

b) Objective factors

Social environment

Customs and practices are traditional in localities. In agricultural extension work, special attention must be paid to this issue because if an agricultural extension program or project is implemented without being suitable for local customs, culture and production conditions, it will fail. Customs, cultural beliefs have existed for a long time and are deeply rooted in the subconscious of local people. When new knowledge is not suitable for local culture, it will not be accepted and followed by the people. Therefore, before implementing agricultural extension programs and projects, building agricultural extension models, it is necessary to carefully research and consider local customs, culture and production conditions. The participation of extension officers and people will select the content of appropriate agricultural extension programs and projects before organizing implementation, which is a premise for the success of the work.

Natural conditions

Natural conditions are objective factors that affect agricultural extension work as well as the effectiveness of agricultural extension models. Agricultural production activities are greatly affected by weather and climate. Humans cannot change this factor in the current production conditions in Vietnam. Therefore, the effectiveness of agricultural extension programs, projects and models depends directly on weather and climate conditions.

In order for agricultural extension models to operate effectively, extension workers and farmers need to have a firm grasp of the climate situation in the region to take appropriate steps in production, bringing about the highest economic efficiency and avoiding risks caused by nature.

Party and State policies related to agricultural extension

This is a macro-level factor. In addition to agricultural extension policies such as: policies for agricultural extension workers, training policies for agricultural extension workers, technology transfer policies... other related policies such as: land policies, credit policies, tax policies also have a significant impact on agricultural extension workers.

Agricultural extension work. Policies must be correct and suitable for each beneficiary to create conditions for development. On the contrary, if the policies are not suitable, they will hinder production development and affect the performance of agricultural extension models.

1.2. Legal basis

Decree No. 13/CP dated March 2, 1993 of the Government on the establishment of the Agricultural Extension, Forestry Extension and Fisheries Extension systems.

Circular 02/LB-TT dated August 2, 1993 on specifying the implementation of Decree 13/CP.

Implementing Decree No. 86/2003/ND-CP of the Government dated July 18, 2003, Decision No. 118/2003/QD-BNN of the Ministry of Agriculture dated November 3, 2003 on changing the organizational structure of the Department of Agricultural Extension - Forestry Extension, establishing the National Agricultural Extension Center. Following in 2005, implementing Decree No. 56/2005/ND-CP and Circular No. 60/2005/TT-BNN.

Decision No. 38/2005/QD-BNN on promulgating technical and economic norms for afforestation, forest regeneration promotion and forest protection.

Decree No. 02/2010/ND-CP dated January 8, 2010 of the Government on agricultural extension replaces Decree No. 56/2005/ND-CP, the Central Agricultural Extension Agency officially becomes the National Agricultural Extension Center under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, specifying agricultural and fishery extension work in the current period.

Decision No. 124/QD-TTg dated February 2, 2012 of the Prime Minister approving the master plan for agricultural production development to 2020 and vision to 2030.

Decision No. 899/QD-TTg dated June 10, 2013 of the Prime Minister approving the Project "Restructuring the agricultural sector towards increasing added value and sustainable development".

1.3. History of agricultural extension research in the world and in Vietnam

1.3.1. In the world

Agricultural extension activities, agricultural production results and the role of agricultural extension in some countries in the world.

* In America (1914)

One of the conditions for agricultural extension activities is the need for funding to help farmers. The United States is one of the countries that started agricultural extension activities by the State quite early.

In 1843, the earliest in New York the state provided a large amount of funding allowing the State Board of Agriculture to hire agricultural scientists with good practical skills as agricultural extension lecturers to go to villages and communes to train farmers in scientific knowledge and agricultural practices.

In 1853, Edward Hitchcoch, president of Amherst College and a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, made great contributions to agricultural extension training for farmers and students. He was also the founder of the Farmers' Association and the Farmers' Institute.

Since the late 80s of the last century, the State has paid attention to agricultural extension training in universities. In 1891, New York State supported 10,000 USD for university agricultural extension training. In the following years, many universities such as the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin also included agricultural extension in their training programs. The Department of Commerce as well as banks and many industrial, agricultural and commercial companies sponsored agricultural extension activities. By 1907, in the US, there were 42 schools/39 states providing agricultural extension training. In 1910, there were 35 schools with agricultural extension departments.

In 1914, the United States enacted the Agricultural Extension Act and established the National Agricultural Extension System. During this period, there were 8,861 Farmers' Associations, with about 3,050,150 members.

America is a country where 6% of the population lives on agriculture, but American agriculture is ranked among the most developed agricultural countries. Many products

American agricultural products dominate the world market such as corn and soybeans. (Soybean output in 1985 reached 55 million tons, in 2001 reached 70 million tons, increased by 15 million tons / 6 years, largest export in the world: 16.9 million tons / year, reaching about 54% of the world's soybean exports. Corn 2000-2001 reached 335 million tons, export 70 million tons = 69% of the world).

* In Thailand (1967)

Thailand is an agricultural country with over 60% of the population living on agriculture. The land conditions and hot and humid climate are similar to Vietnam. Thailand is a country with quite typical agricultural extension activities. The state agricultural extension system was established in 1967. In terms of achievements, Thailand's agricultural extension is shown in the following points.

Annually, the capital for agricultural extension is quite large, about 120-150 million and even 200 million USD. This amount of capital is more than 20 times the annual agricultural extension budget of our country.

For many years, Thailand has been the world's number one food exporter (exporting about 7 million tons of rice/year).

Currently, Thailand attaches great importance to the quality of plant varieties, safe vegetable and fruit production, aquaculture development, etc.

1.3.2. In Vietnam

1.3.2.1. Before 1993

- In 1945, the Party, the Government and President Ho Chi Minh regularly paid attention to directing and issuing many agricultural promotion policies to encourage the development of agricultural production and improve farmers' lives.

- From 1950-1957, the Government issued agricultural promotion policies; implemented land reform, confiscated land from French colonialists and Vietnamese traitors and distributed it to farmers lacking land; and redistributed public land in a more fair and reasonable manner.