Agricultural extension officers in Muoi Noi commune guide local people on how to prune coffee trees after harvest.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Provincial Center for Agricultural Extension and Digital Transformation, stated: The Center for Comprehensive Services has been established in 75 communes and wards, with over 20 provincial-level officials and more than 350 commune-level agricultural extension workers. The Center has closely followed the province's agricultural development policies to develop its operational plan. This includes focusing on implementing agricultural extension models for production according to VietGAP and organic standards; linking production along the value chain and applying high technology; transforming crop and livestock structures to adapt to climate change; and encouraging linkages between businesses and cooperatives in the production chain from production to consumption.

During the period 2020-2025, the Center advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment to organize more than 300 training courses on agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production techniques and industrial promotion for nearly 10,000 farmers. These courses focused on practical application, helping farmers select suitable plant and animal breeds; apply intensive and intercropping techniques to increase crop yields; grafting and improvement methods for fruit trees; techniques for raising lean-meat breeding pigs using biological bedding; disease prevention and control for livestock; cage fish farming according to VietGAP standards; and post-harvest product preservation techniques.

Agricultural extension officers in Muoi Noi commune guide farmers on caring for coffee plants during the establishment phase.

In addition, the Center has implemented 47 models related to the cultivation of food crops, fruit trees, livestock, and aquaculture. It supports farmers in linking value chains, applying high technology, and digital transformation in agriculture, such as providing combine harvesters, multi-purpose tillage machines, irrigation systems, and solar-powered drying houses; and using technology to manage production and access online markets.

One of the typical agricultural extension models implemented during the 2020-2025 period is the expansion of the Anh Vang 205 longan variety, with 120 hectares newly planted and grafted in several communes in the Song Ma, Mai Son, and Yen Chau areas. This yields 10-15 tons/ha, with crisp, sweet, and fragrant fruit, selling for 30-70 thousand VND/kg, bringing economic benefits of 450-700 million VND/ha.

Mr. Le Xuan Truong, from Na San village, Chieng Mung commune, said: In 2023, his family was introduced to the Anh Vang 205 longan variety by agricultural extension officers. After visiting trial planting models in Song Ma, they boldly grafted and improved 2 hectares of longan trees. After two years, the trees developed well, were less susceptible to pests and diseases, produced abundant fruit with high sweetness, and had firm flesh. They can be stored on the tree for up to a month and are suitable for processing into dried longan. In the last longan harvest, his family harvested more than 20 tons of fruit, selling them at prices ranging from 30,000 to 70,000 VND/kg.

Officials from the Provincial Center for Agricultural Extension and Digital Transformation guide farmers in Chiềng Cơi ward on composting with microorganisms.

After establishing and operating under the new model, agricultural extension officers at the Muoi Noi Commune General Service Center actively accompany and guide farmers in applying new techniques to production. Mr. Dinh Cong Thuy, an agricultural extension officer of the commune, shared: "Currently, we are focusing on guiding farmers in caring for, pruning, and trimming fruit trees and coffee plants after harvest; protecting livestock from hunger and cold; and preparing the land for planting the spring crop within the correct timeframe."

Mr. Lo Van Kho, from Cuong Trai village, Muoi Noi commune, said: "My family has more than 3 hectares of coffee. After harvesting, the commune's agricultural extension officers came to guide us on pruning techniques to ensure the trees sprout new shoots. In addition, the agricultural extension officers also proactively came to the village to guide us on measures to protect crops and livestock from the cold."

Continuing to support farmers in developing green and sustainable agricultural production, the Provincial Center for Agricultural Extension and Digital Transformation will utilize agricultural development funds allocated by the central and provincial governments to build exemplary agricultural extension models. This will focus on models for growing fruit trees and key crops, while also strengthening training and disseminating modern production techniques. The center will guide farmers in accessing organic production, developing raw material areas, and consolidating the brand of Son La agricultural products, contributing to increased income for the people.

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