Circular No. 75/2007/TT-BNN Issuing the Regulation on Management of National Agricultural Extension Programs and Projects

Pursuant to …;

Issuing the Regulation on Management of National Agricultural Extension Programs and Projects

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THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 86/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2003, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 56/2005/NĐ-CP dated April 26, 2005, on agricultural extension and fisheries extension;

Pursuant to the Joint Circular No. 30/2006/TTLT-BTC-BNN&PTNT-BTS dated April 6, 2006, of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Fisheries guiding the management and use of state budget funds for agricultural and fisheries extension activities;

Based on the proposal of the Heads of the Departments of Science and Technology, Finance, and the Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center,

DECISION:

Article 1. This Decision promulgates the Regulation on Management of National Agricultural Extension Programs and Projects.

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 3. The Head of the Ministry’s Office, the Heads of the Departments of Science and Technology and Finance, the Directors of relevant specialized agencies, the Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, the Directors of Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development under central cities and provinces, and the Heads of related units are responsible for implementing this Decision.

REGULATIONS

MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
(Issued together with Decision No. 75/2007/QĐ-BNN dated August 17, 2007 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

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Chapter I:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope and Applicability

This Regulation stipulates the construction, review, approval, implementation, inspection, supervision, evaluation, acceptance, and settlement of accounts of agricultural extension programs and projects, as well as the responsibilities and authorities of organizations and individuals participating in such programs and projects.

This Regulation applies to organizations and individuals involved in the implementation of agricultural extension programs and projects funded by the central government budget managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 2. Explanation of terms

In this Regulation, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Agricultural extension program: a set of agricultural extension projects related to sectors within the agriculture and rural development industry, oriented towards achieving specific goals.

2. Agricultural extension project: support activities in sectors within the agriculture and rural development industry designed to achieve specific goals within a defined timeframe and location.

3. Demonstration model: the application of technological advancements in the agriculture and rural development industry at a suitable scale for demonstration before widespread adoption.

4. Demonstration site: the specific implementation of a demonstration model at a particular location with a defined scale.

5. Implementing unit: organizations and individuals participating in agricultural extension activities and signing contracts to implement agricultural extension programs and projects with the National Agricultural Extension Center.

6. Central-level agricultural extension programs and projects implemented: agricultural extension programs and projects carried out by scientific and technological organizations and central agencies.

7. Locally-implemented agricultural extension programs and projects: agricultural extension programs and projects utilizing central-level agricultural extension funding organized and implemented by local units.

Chapter II:

CONSTRUCTION, REVIEW, AND APPROVAL OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Article 3. Basis for developing agricultural extension programs and projects

Agricultural extension programs and projects are established based on the following foundations:

1. The Party's and State's policies on agricultural and rural development, the industry's and locality's development strategies;

2. Proposals from organizations and individuals participating in agricultural extension activities that reflect the needs of producers;

3. Scientific research results, technological advancements, and technical progress both domestically and internationally;

In cases where technical progress belongs to organizations or individuals domestically or internationally, they must comply with the Intellectual Property Law.

4. Contents of international cooperation.

Article 4. Requirements for agricultural extension programs and projects

1. Clear and specific objectives that meet practical production needs and have the potential to be widely applied in large-scale production;

2. Advanced and appropriate methods for the ecological conditions of the region and the educational level of the producers;

3. Clear and specific expected outcomes;

4. Investment budget: determine the total investment requirement, specifying the structure of funding sources from the state budget, contributions from beneficiaries, and other sources. Provide details for each item and each year according to the budget outline;

5. Implementation organization: designate the unit responsible for implementation (lead and coordinate), time, location, and schedule;

6. Technical progress transferred in agricultural extension programs and projects must be advanced and recognized and approved by competent authorities in accordance with the law;

7. Effectiveness of agricultural extension programs and projects: clearly state economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Article 5. Procedures for establishing, reviewing, approving, and implementing agricultural extension programs and projects

1. Determine the list of agricultural extension programs and projects:

- Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, institutes, schools, organizations, and individuals participating in agricultural extension activities propose lists of agricultural extension programs and projects and submit them to the National Agricultural Extension Center before May 31.

- The National Agricultural Extension Center compiles the list of proposed agricultural extension programs and projects from organizations and individuals and sends it to relevant Bureaus before June 15.

- Based on the compiled list, Bureaus review and supplement, then compile and send the list to the Science and Technology Department and the National Agricultural Extension Center before June 30.

- The Science and Technology Department compiles the list and submits it to the Ministry to establish a Review Board to approve the list of agricultural extension programs and projects before July 20, including central-level and local-level program and project lists. The list is sent to Bureaus and Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development in provinces and cities for coordination and management.

2. For central-level agricultural extension programs and projects, the lead units develop detailed contents and budgets and submit them to the National Agricultural Extension Center before August 30.

3. For local-level agricultural extension programs and projects, the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development direct the lead units to develop detailed contents and budgets. The Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development compile and submit these to the National Agricultural Extension Center before August 30.

4. The National Agricultural Extension Center reviews the detailed contents and budgets of central and local-level agricultural extension programs and projects before September 30; submits the budgets for approval by the Ministry before November 15.

5. The National Agricultural Extension Center signs contracts with units implementing agricultural extension programs and projects.

Article 6. Adjustment of Content of Agricultural Extension Programs and Projects

1. For agricultural extension projects with implementation periods exceeding one year: if there is a need for adjustment, the implementing units must submit a letter to the National Agricultural Extension Center before May 31. The National Agricultural Extension Center will coordinate with relevant Bureaus to review and submit to the Ministry for approval.

2. For annual agricultural extension projects: adjustments can only be made before the fourth quarter concerning location, scale, variety structure, and equipment to suit actual conditions.

- For central-level agricultural extension projects: the National Agricultural Extension Center decides on the adjustment and reports to the Ministry.

- For local-level agricultural extension projects: the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development decides on the adjustment and notifies the National Agricultural Extension Center in writing within fifteen days from the date of the adjustment decision.

Chapter III:

INSPECTION, EVALUATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF RESULTS

Article 7. Inspection, Supervision and Evaluation

1. The Science and Technology Department builds and submits to the Ministry for approval the annual inspection plan for agricultural extension programs and projects. The National Agricultural Extension Center coordinates with relevant Bureaus to form inspection, evaluation, and supervision teams. Members of these teams include:

- Relevant specialized Bureaus and Departments;

- The Science and Technology Department;

- The National Agricultural Extension Center;

- The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the locality.

2. The Science and Technology Department organizes post-acceptance inspection and evaluation teams for agricultural extension programs and projects. The objects, locations, times, and team members are proposed by the Science and Technology Department.

3. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development directs the construction of annual inspection plans for local agricultural extension programs and projects and organizes post-acceptance inspection and evaluation teams for such programs and projects.

Article 8. Acceptance

The direct implementing unit is responsible for organizing the annual acceptance of results of agricultural extension projects.

1. Basic Acceptance

1.1. Composition

1.1.1. For centrally-implemented agricultural extension programs and projects

- Representative of the specialized Bureau;

- The Science and Technology Department;

- Representative of the National Agricultural Extension Center;

- Representative of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

- Representative of the local authority where the project is implemented;

- Representative of participating households.

1.1.2. For locally-implemented agricultural extension programs and projects

- Representative of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

- Representative of the provincial or city agricultural extension center;

- Representative of the local authority where the project is implemented;

- Representative of participating households.

1.2. Content of Acceptance

Agricultural extension programs and projects are accepted based on a unified model;

The comprehensive acceptance report serves as the basis for settlement and contract termination.

2. Comprehensive Acceptance

Based on the results of basic acceptance, the National Agricultural Extension Center and the project implementing unit conduct comprehensive acceptance (including annual acceptance and final project acceptance).

Chapter IV:

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS, SETTLEMENT AND CONTRACT TERMINATION

Article 9. Allocation of Funds

1. Funds are disbursed according to the progress of agricultural extension projects as specified in the contract between the National Agricultural Extension Center and the implementing units.

2. Disbursed funds are based on approved estimates and current regulations.

3. Funds for organizing the Council to compile the list of agricultural extension programs and projects, reviewing, inspecting, supervising, accepting, and evaluating such programs and projects are allocated from the management, inspection, supervision, evaluation, and post-acceptance evaluation fund for agricultural extension activities as stipulated by current regulations.

Article 10. Settlement and liquidation of contracts

1. The basis for settlement and liquidation of contracts is the acceptance results of quantities and reports on the outcomes of agricultural extension programs and projects.

2. Agricultural extension programs and projects shall be settled annually in accordance with the State Budget Law and production cycles.

Chapter V:

RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Article 11. Responsibilities and authorities of management agencies

1. Department of Science and Technology:

- Proposing policies and orientations for agricultural extension activities;

- Organizing the appraisal and submitting to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for issuance of lists of agricultural extension programs and projects and economic and technical norms of agricultural extension models;

- Developing plans for inspection, supervision, and evaluation of agricultural extension programs and projects;

- Participating in inspecting, evaluating, and supervising agricultural extension projects;

- Chairing post-acceptance inspections and evaluations.

2. Department of Finance:

- Proposing financial mechanisms and policies for agricultural extension;;

- Compiling the settlement of agricultural extension funds according to current regulations;

- Participating in appraising agricultural extension programs and projects; economic and technical norms of agricultural extension models;

- Participating in inspecting and supervising agricultural extension projects.

3. Sectoral Bureaus:

- Formulating policies and orientations for agricultural extension programs and projects within their areas of management;

- Proposing agricultural extension programs and projects within their areas of management;

- Participating in appraising agricultural extension programs and projects and economic and technical norms of agricultural extension models;

- Chairing inspections and supervision of central-level agricultural extension programs and projects, participating in inspections and supervision of provincial-level agricultural extension programs and projects.

4. Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development:

- Proposing contents of agricultural extension programs and projects that align with industry and local development orientations and production needs;

- Chairing the acceptance and evaluation of agricultural extension programs and projects implemented at the provincial level;

- Chairing inspection, evaluation, and supervision teams of agricultural extension programs and projects implemented at the provincial level; participating in inspections and supervision of central-level agricultural extension programs and projects implemented in the province.

5. National Extension Center:

- Proposing and developing strategies, policies, and orientations for agricultural extension activities;

- Compiling and participating in appraising lists of agricultural extension programs and projects;

- Appraising contents and detailed budgets of agricultural extension programs and projects;

- Guiding organizations and individuals in building and implementing agricultural extension programs and projects;

- Signing contracts for agricultural extension projects;

- Participating in inspecting, evaluating, and supervising agricultural extension programs and projects;

- Chairing comprehensive acceptance of agricultural extension programs and projects;

- Organizing and facilitating competent authorities to carry out inspection, evaluation, and supervision of agricultural extension activities;

- Settling accounts for agricultural extension projects in accordance with regulations;

- Chairing the development of annual activity plans on information dissemination, training, and emergency agricultural extension programs for approval by the Minister;

- Implementing some assigned agricultural extension programs and projects;

- Compiling reports on the outcomes of agricultural extension activities.

Article 12. Responsibilities of units and organizations implementing agricultural extension programs and projects

1. Building agricultural extension programs and projects:

- Proposing a list of agricultural extension projects;

- Developing detailed project plans according to a unified template and defending agricultural extension projects when necessary.

2. Implementation organization:

- Implementing the approved program contents effectively in accordance with current state regulations and contractual terms with the National Agricultural Extension Center;

- Organizing the acceptance of agricultural extension projects;

- Reporting fully, accurately, and on time about progress and results, including:

            + Quarterly reports;

            + Mid-year reports;

            + Annual reports;

            + Summary reports of agricultural extension programs and projects.

- Facilitating conditions for competent authorities to conduct inspections, evaluations, and monitoring of agricultural extension activities.

3. Settlement:

Settling accounts for the funds of agricultural extension programs and projects in accordance with regulations. Units, organizations, and individuals undertaking these tasks are fully responsible to the State for the effectiveness of fund usage and project outcomes. In cases where requirements are not met, all or part of the funds will be recovered based on the results of acceptance and evaluation.

Chapter VI:

REWARDS AND SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS

Article 13. Awards

Organizations and individuals who comply well with this regulation will be rewarded according to current regulations.

Units that perform well, achieve effectiveness, report comprehensively, settle accounts on time, and within schedule will be prioritized when participating in subsequent programs and projects.

Article 14. Handling Violations

Organizations and individuals violating this regulation will be dealt with according to the degree of violation as stipulated.

Chapter VII:

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 15. Implementation Organization

1. The Science and Technology Department and the National Agricultural Extension Center will guide, inspect the implementation of this regulation and compile reports to the Ministry.

2. Departments and Bureaus will participate in coordinating with the National Agricultural Extension Center to review, approve, and organize inspections, supervision, and evaluations of agricultural extension programs and projects within their respective areas of management.

3. The National Agricultural Extension Center will implement agricultural extension programs and projects effectively.

During the implementation process, if there are any issues, units should reflect them to the National Agricultural Extension Center for submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to supplement and adjust accordingly./.