Decree No. 02/2010/ND-CP on Agricultural Extension

DECREE

On agricultural extension

___________

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECREE

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Thông tư này quy định chi tiết khoản 4 Điều 38 Luật Thủy sản số 18/2017/QH14 đã được sửa đổi, bổ sung tại điểm c khoản 21 Điều 14 Luật số 146/2025/QH15.

a) Agricultural production, processing, preservation, and consumption activities in agriculture, forestry, salt industry, fisheries, water conservancy, agricultural electromechanics, and rural trades;

b) Rural agricultural services including seeds, plant protection, veterinary services, agricultural supplies, equipment, farm machinery, water conservancy, clean water, and rural environmental sanitation;

Agricultural extension activities related to programs, projects, and international agreements to which Vietnam is a member shall comply with such programs, projects, and international agreements.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

a) Producers, including: small-scale farmers, commercial farmers, poor farmers; farmstead owners, cooperative members and cooperatives; forest and farm workers; small and medium-sized enterprises;

b) Domestic and foreign agricultural extension organizations implement support activities for farmers to develop production and business in the fields specified in Clause 1 of Article 1 of this Decree.

c) Agricultural extension practitioners are individuals participating in support activities for farmers to develop production and business in the fields specified in Clause 1 of Article 1 of this Decree.

d) State agencies responsible for managing agricultural extension.

Article 2. Objectives of agricultural extension

1. To enhance the efficiency of production and business operations of producers to increase income, escape poverty, and become prosperous through training farmers on knowledge and skills and providing services to support farmers' production and business operations to achieve high efficiency, adapt to ecological, climatic conditions, and market demands.

2. To contribute to restructuring the agricultural economy towards developing commodity production, improving productivity, quality, and food safety to meet domestic needs and exports; promoting the industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas, building new countryside, ensuring national food security, stabilizing the economy and society, and protecting the environment.

3. To mobilize resources from organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally to participate in agricultural extension.

Article 3. Principles of agricultural extension activities

1. Based on the needs of farmers and the requirements for agricultural development by the State.

2. To promote the active and voluntary participation of farmers in agricultural extension activities.

3. To closely link state management agencies, scientific research institutions, businesses with farmers, and among farmers themselves.

4. To socialize agricultural extension activities, diversify agricultural extension services to mobilize resources from organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally to participate in agricultural extension activities.

5. To ensure democracy, transparency, and community oversight.

6. The content and methods of agricultural extension must be appropriate to each region, locality, and different groups of farmers and ethnic communities.

Chapter II

CONTENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Article 4. Training, instruction, and education

1. Recipients

a) Producers as defined in point a, Clause 2, Article 1 of this Decree who have not participated in vocational training programs supported by the State;

b) Agricultural extension practitioners as defined in point c, Clause 2, Article 1 of this Decree.

2. Content

Training and mentoring for producers on policies and laws; training and imparting skills to farmers on production techniques, organization, and management of production and business in the fields of agricultural extension as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 1 of this Decree; training for agricultural extension practitioners to improve their professional expertise.

3. Forms

a) Through demonstration models;

b) Organizing short-term classes combining theory with practice;

c) Through communication media: newspapers, radio, leaflets, materials (books, CDs-DVDs);

d) Through remote learning programs on radio and television channels, establishing dedicated agricultural television channels for farmers and rural areas; prioritizing farmer training through television;

đ) Through agricultural extension information websites on the Internet;

e) Organizing surveys and study tours both domestically and internationally.

4. Organization and implementation

a) Training farmers and training agricultural extension practitioners shall be carried out by agricultural extension organizations as defined in point b, Clause 2, Article 1 of this Decree.

b) Core instructors are experts, agricultural extension officers with bachelor's degrees or higher, outstanding farmers, exemplary individuals with extensive experience in production and business, who have made significant contributions to society and the community, and have been trained in agricultural extension skills.

Article 5. Propaganda Information

1. Disseminating the Party's guidelines and State policies through mass media and political-social organizations.

2. Promoting scientific and technological advancements and exemplary cases in production and business through mass media, agricultural extension magazines, agricultural extension materials, conferences, seminars, contests, fairs, exhibitions, forums, and other forms of information dissemination; publishing and distributing agricultural extension publications.

3. Building and managing information data for the agricultural extension information system.

Article 6. Demonstration and replication of models

1. Establish demonstration models on scientific and technological progress suitable for each locality, the needs of producers, and industry orientations, good agricultural practices linked to product consumption.

2. Establish models applying high technology in agriculture.

3. Establish models of organization and management of effective and sustainable agricultural production and business.

4. Transfer scientific and technological results from demonstration models and advanced production examples to a wider scale.

Article 7. Consulting and agricultural extension services

1. Consulting and services in the fields specified in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decree regarding:

a) Policies and laws related to agricultural and rural development;

b) Application of scientific and technological progress, organization, and management to increase productivity, quality, food safety, reduce costs, and enhance product competitiveness;

c) Entrepreneurship for farm owners, small and medium-sized enterprises on investment project planning, production site search, capital mobilization, labor recruitment and training, technology selection, market search;

d) Product consumption contracts, production and business insurance contracts;

đ) Supply of agricultural inputs.

2. Other consulting and services related to agricultural development and rural areas.

Article 8. International cooperation in agricultural extension

1. Participate in implementing agricultural extension activities in international cooperation programs.

2. Exchange agricultural extension experiences with foreign organizations and individuals and international organizations in accordance with Vietnamese laws.

3. Enhance the capacity and language proficiency of agricultural extension workers through international cooperation programs and domestic and overseas study tours.

Chapter III

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ORGANIZATIONS

Article 9. Central Agricultural Extension Organization

1. The National Agricultural Extension Center is a public service unit under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. The functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the National Agricultural Extension Center shall be stipulated by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 10. Local Agricultural Extension Organizations

1. Local agricultural extension organizations are defined as follows:

a) At provincial level (province, centrally governed city), there is an agricultural extension center which is a public service unit;

b) At district level (district, town, and township within a province with agricultural production), there is an agricultural extension station which is a public service unit;

c) At commune level (commune, ward, town with agricultural production), there are agricultural extension officers with at least two agricultural extension officers in difficult areas, and at least one agricultural extension officer for other communes;

d) At village level (village, hamlet, group, phum, sóc), there are agricultural extension cooperators and agricultural extension clubs.

2. The functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of local agricultural extension organizations shall be stipulated by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

Article 11. Other Agricultural Extension Organizations

1. Other agricultural extension organizations include political and social organizations, economic organizations, social organizations, occupational organizations, scientific organizations, educational and training organizations, associations, professional associations, and domestic and foreign organizations and individuals participating in agricultural extension activities on Vietnamese territory.

2. Other agricultural extension organizations implement agricultural extension activities according to this Decree and relevant laws.

3. The functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of other agricultural extension organizations belonging to any organization or individual shall be stipulated by that organization or individual.

Chapter IV

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION POLICIES

Article 12. Policy on Training, Instruction, and Vocational Training

1. For Producers

a) Small-scale farmers and farmers from poor households shall be supported with 100% of the costs for materials and 100% of the costs for travel and accommodation when participating in training;

b) Farmers producing goods, farmstead owners, cooperative members, and cooperatives, forestry and farm workers shall be supported with 100% of the costs for materials and 50% of the costs for travel and accommodation when participating in training;

c) Small and medium-sized enterprises directly operating in the fields specified in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decree shall be supported with 50% of the costs for materials when participating in training.

2. For Agricultural Promotion Personnel

a) Priority shall be given to training female agricultural extension officers and those from ethnic minority groups;

b) Agricultural promotion personnel receiving salaries from the state budget shall be supported with 100% of the costs for materials and accommodation when participating in training;

c) Agricultural promotion personnel not receiving salaries shall be supported with 100% of the costs for materials, travel, meals, and accommodation when participating in training.

Article 13. Information and Propaganda Policy

1. The State shall support 100% of the costs for information and propaganda activities related to agricultural promotion for organizations and individuals with approved information and propaganda projects;

2. The State shall support 100% of the costs for organizing trade fairs, exhibitions, and forums on agricultural promotion that have been approved by competent authorities.

Article 14. Policy on Building and Widespread Application of Demonstration Models

1. Support Policy for Building Demonstration Models

a) Demonstration models in difficult areas, poor districts shall be supported with 100% of the costs for purchasing seeds and essential materials (including fertilizers, chemicals, livestock feed, aquaculture feed);

b) Demonstration models in midland and mountainous areas, coastal plains shall be supported with 100% of the costs for purchasing seeds and 50% of the costs for purchasing essential materials;

c) Demonstration models in delta areas shall be supported with 100% of the costs for purchasing seeds and 30% of the costs for purchasing essential materials;

d) For agricultural mechanization models, preservation and processing models, and rural trades such as salt production, financial support shall be provided for purchasing tools, machinery, and equipment at 100% in difficult areas and poor districts, not exceeding 75% in midland and mountainous areas, coastal plains, and not exceeding 50% in delta areas;

đ) Demonstration models applying high technology shall be supported with up to 30% of the total costs for implementing the model;

2. Policy for Model Expansion

Financial support shall be provided for 100% of the costs for information, propaganda, advertising, and field meetings to promote the widespread application of demonstration models.

Article 15. Policy Encouraging Advisory Services and Agricultural Extension Services

1. Agricultural extension organizations and personnel engaged in advisory services and agricultural extension services as stipulated in Article 7 of this Decree and in accordance with current laws may participate;

2. Agricultural extension organizations and personnel engaged in advisory services and agricultural extension services shall be prioritized for land leasing to build and implement agricultural extension programs and projects, and shall be eligible for preferential loans, tax exemptions, and reductions according to current laws.

Article 16. Regulations for Agricultural Extension Personnel and Grassroots Agricultural Extension Officers

1. Agricultural extension personnel receiving salaries from the state budget when directing and implementing agricultural extension projects shall enjoy benefits as prescribed by current regulations;

2. Grassroots agricultural extension officers who are civil servants of the commune shall be paid according to their level of education, while those who are not civil servants of the commune shall be entitled to allowances or pay according to their level of education as stipulated by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee;

3. Grassroots agricultural extension officers without a degree and village-level agricultural extension volunteers shall be paid agricultural extension fees as stipulated by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Article 17. Policy on selecting agricultural extension projects

1. Central agricultural extension projects funded by the state budget shall be selected through either evaluation or competitive bidding as prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. Provincial agricultural extension projects funded by the state budget shall be selected through either evaluation or competitive bidding as prescribed by the Chairman of the People's Committee at the same level.

3. All agricultural extension organizations and individuals engaged in agricultural extension activities shall participate in competitive bidding and registration for evaluation of agricultural extension projects funded by the state budget.

Chapter V

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION FUNDS

Article 18. Sources of agricultural extension funds

1. Central agricultural extension funds are formed from the following sources:

a) The central budget allocated according to the program and project budgets for agricultural extension approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

b) Implementing consulting and service contracts for agricultural extension;

c) Legal sponsorships and contributions from organizations and individuals both within and outside the country;

d) Other lawful revenue sources as prescribed by law.

2. Local agricultural extension funds include provincial, district, and commune-level agricultural extension funds, which are formed from the following sources:

a) The local budget allocated according to the program and project budgets for agricultural extension approved by the People's Committees at the provincial and district levels;

b) Implementing consulting and service contracts for agricultural extension;

c) Legal sponsorships and contributions from organizations and individuals both within and outside the country;

d) Other lawful revenue sources as prescribed by law.

3. The funds of other agricultural extension organizations are formed from the following sources:

a) Own capital of other agricultural extension organizations;

b) Partial support from the state budget through agricultural extension programs and projects (central, local, international cooperation) approved by the competent authority;

c) Implementing consulting and service contracts for agricultural extension;

d) Legal sponsorships and contributions from organizations and individuals both within and outside the country;

đ) Other lawful revenue sources as prescribed by law.

Article 19. Use of agricultural extension funds

1. Central and local agricultural extension funds belonging to the state budget, allocated according to the program and project budgets for agricultural extension, shall be used for:

a) Contents stipulated in Articles 4, 5, 6, and 8 of this Decree;

b) Management costs for agricultural extension projects, which can be deducted from the agricultural extension fund. Specific levels shall be determined by the Ministry of Finance in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

c) Purchasing copyrights, acquiring new technologies, hiring domestic and foreign experts to serve agricultural extension activities, and hiring experts to evaluate agricultural extension activities;

d) Procuring equipment directly serving agricultural extension activities;

đ) Organizing surveys, study tours, seminars, contests, fairs, forums, and exhibitions both domestically and internationally;

e) Other expenses serving agricultural extension activities.

2. Revenue from consulting and service activities in agricultural extension shall be managed and used in accordance with current financial regulations applicable to public service organizations engaged in agricultural extension and individuals involved in agricultural extension within such organizations.

Article 20. Management of central and local agricultural extension funds

1. Central agricultural extension funds shall be used for agricultural extension activities managed and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at regional, national, and country-wide scales, consistent with the national strategy and planning for agricultural development. The plan and budget for central agricultural extension funds shall be incorporated into the annual budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and submitted to the Government for approval by the National Assembly.

2. Local agricultural extension funds shall be used for agricultural extension activities managed and implemented by the People's Committees at the provincial level, consistent with the local strategy and planning for agricultural development. The annual plan and budget for local agricultural extension funds shall be submitted by the People's Committee to the People's Council at the same level for decision in accordance with the State Budget Law.

3. Implementation of expenditures and settlement of central and local agricultural extension funds shall be based on agricultural extension programs and projects approved by the competent authority.

4. Management and use of agricultural extension funds not belonging to the state budget shall be decided by agricultural extension organizations in accordance with this Decree and relevant laws.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide detailed guidance on procedures for establishing, managing, and using central agricultural extension funds and local agricultural extension funds.

Article 21. Agricultural Extension Promotion Fund

1. The Agricultural Extension Promotion Fund (hereinafter referred to collectively as the agricultural extension fund) shall be formed from sources of financial support and voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations both within and outside the country.

2. Management and utilization of the agricultural extension fund

a) Any organization that establishes the fund shall issue regulations on managing and operating the agricultural extension fund in accordance with the provisions of the law.

b) The agricultural extension fund shall be utilized promptly and effectively for the activities of agricultural extension as stipulated in Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Decree.

c) Agricultural extension organizations shall have the responsibility to preserve and develop the agricultural extension fund.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 22. Responsibilities of Ministries and Sectors

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development performs state management functions over agricultural extension activities as follows:

a) To draft, promulgate, and propose competent authorities to promulgate strategies for agricultural extension and legal normative documents and policies on agricultural extension;

b) To draft, approve programs, plans, and central-level agricultural extension projects and direct their implementation;

c) To guide localities on specialized professional matters in agricultural extension activities;

d) To cooperate with organizations and individuals both within and outside the country to attract capital and resources to serve agricultural extension activities;

đ) To organize inspections, audits, and resolution of complaints and denunciations in central-level agricultural extension activities;

e) To manage central-level agricultural extension funds;

g) To monitor, inspect, evaluate, and report periodically to the Prime Minister on the implementation of agricultural extension programs and projects nationwide.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies within the scope of their assigned tasks and powers shall have the responsibility to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in performing state management functions over agricultural extension activities in accordance with the Government's regulations.

Article 23. Responsibilities of People's Committees of Provinces and Central Cities

Provincial People's Committees and People's Committees of Central Cities shall perform state management functions over agricultural extension activities within their respective jurisdictions as follows:

1. To draft and promulgate policies on agricultural extension suitable to local conditions.

2. To draft, approve, and direct the implementation of agricultural extension programs, plans, and projects at the local level.

3. To ensure funding to support agricultural extension activities and implement agricultural extension policies at the local level in accordance with the provisions of this Decree.

4. To mobilize organizations and individuals both within and outside the country to attract resources for local agricultural extension activities.

5. To manage local agricultural extension funds.

6. To monitor, inspect, evaluate, and report every six months to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on agricultural extension activities at the local level.

Article 24. Rewards and disciplinary actions

1. Organizations and individuals who achieve outstanding results in agricultural extension activities shall be rewarded in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. Organizations and individuals who violate the provisions of this Decree shall be subject to disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal prosecution, if damage is caused, they must compensate according to the provisions of the law.

3. Annually, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and People's Committees of provinces and central cities shall organize summaries and draw lessons from agricultural extension activities.

Article 25. Complaints and Reports

1. Individuals have the right to file complaints against administrative decisions and actions of administrative state agencies when there is evidence that such decisions or actions contravene the provisions of this Decree, in accordance with the law on complaints and denunciations.

2. Individuals have the right to denounce to competent authorities, organizations, and individuals about violations of the provisions of this Decree by other organizations and individuals, in accordance with the law on complaints and denunciations.

3. Competent authority, procedures, and time limits for handling complaints and denunciations shall be carried out in accordance with the law on complaints and denunciations.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 26. Effective date

This Decree takes effect from March 1, 2010, and replaces Government Decree No. 56/2005/NĐ-CP dated April 26, 2005, on agricultural extension and fisheries extension.

Article 27. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to provide guidance on the implementation of this Decree.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and central cities shall be responsible for implementing this Decree./.