Decree No. 83/2018/ND-CP on Agricultural Extension

DECREE

ON AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization dated June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law on Technology Transfer dated June 19, 2017;

At the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development;

The Government promulgates the Decree on agricultural extension.

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.

This Decree stipulates the form, method, target, and policy on agricultural extension and technology transfer in agriculture as provided for in Clause 4, Article 52 of the Law on Technology Transfer.

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.

This Decree applies to organizations and individuals involved in agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture in Vietnam.

3. Agricultural extension and technology transfer activities related to programs, projects, and international treaties to which Vietnam is a member or has signed shall comply with such programs, projects, and international treaties.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

1. Agricultural extension is an activity transferring advanced techniques, information, disseminating knowledge, and training skills to farmers to enhance their capacity and efficiency in agricultural production and business, protect the environment, and build new rural areas.

2. Special methods of technology transfer in agriculture include: training, workshops, enhancement, demonstration models, information dissemination, which are detailed in Articles 6, 7, and 8 of this Decree.

3. Special forms of technology transfer in agriculture are implemented through agricultural extension programs, plans, and technology transfer programs and plans approved by competent authorities in accordance with this Decree and relevant legal documents.

4. The subjects implementing technology transfer in agriculture are organizations and individuals operating in the field of agricultural extension and technology transfer as specified in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Decree.

5. The recipients of technology transfer in agriculture are organizations and individuals receiving transferred technology as specified in Clause 2, Article 5 of this Decree.

6. An agricultural extension program is a collection of agricultural extension projects and tasks serving the development goals of agriculture and rural areas at the sectoral and local levels during each period, including: name of the program; general objectives; names of agricultural extension projects and tasks to implement the program; implementation area; expected results.

7. Central agricultural extension project is a collection of agricultural extension activities to implement the central agricultural extension program, with a duration from one to five years, including: name of the project; objectives; content of activities; implementation area; duration; expected results.

8. Local agricultural extension plan is a plan regarding the content and budget estimate for agricultural extension tasks and activities to implement the local agricultural extension program.

9. Demonstration model (hereinafter referred to as model) is a component of the program, project, or plan of agricultural extension applying advanced techniques and management practices at an appropriate scale to serve as a model for wider application.

10. Agricultural extension economic and technical norms are indicators expressed in value or physical quantities used to carry out the content of agricultural extension activities.

11. Public-private partnership in agricultural extension activities (hereinafter referred to as PPP agricultural extension) is cooperation between the State and organizations and individuals investing and implementing agricultural extension activities to serve the development of agriculture and rural areas.

Article 3. Objectives of Agricultural Extension

1. Enhance the efficiency of production and business operations of organizations and individuals engaged in the agricultural sector to increase income, reduce poverty, become prosperous, adapt to ecological, climatic conditions, and market requirements through various contents, forms, and methods of agricultural extension activities.

2. Contribute to restructuring the agricultural economy towards developing commodity production, improving productivity, quality, food safety to meet domestic demand and for export; promote the process of restructuring the agricultural sector towards increasing added value and sustainable development, linked with building new rural areas; enhance resilience to natural disasters; ensure national food security, stabilize the economy and society, protect the environment.

3. Mobilize resources from organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally to participate in transferring technology in agriculture.

Article 4. Principles of Agricultural Extension Activities

1. Starting from the needs of production, markets, and the State's orientation for agricultural development.

2. Promote the proactive, positive, voluntary, and accountable roles of organizations and individuals in agricultural extension activities.

3. Democracy, transparency, with community oversight and state management.

4. The content, form, and method of agricultural extension activities must be appropriate to each locality and different groups of producers and ethnic communities.

5. Advanced technical and technological transfers must be recognized or approved by competent authorities.

6. Close collaboration between management agencies, scientific research institutions, businesses, and farmers, and among farmers themselves.

7. Socialization of agricultural extension activities, diversification of agricultural extension services to mobilize resources from domestic and international organizations and individuals to participate in agricultural extension activities.

8. Prioritize agricultural extension activities in difficult and particularly difficult areas.

9. Prioritize women and ethnic minority people; organizations with high female or ethnic minority participation in agricultural extension activities.

Article 5. Recipients and Providers of Technology Transfer in Agriculture

1. Providers of technology transfer in agriculture

a) Organizations and individuals belonging to the specialized agricultural extension system established and operating according to the law by competent authorities;

b) Organizations and individuals engaged in research, training, and technology transfer related to agricultural extension and technology transfer activities;

c) Other organizations and individuals including political organizations, socio-political organizations, economic organizations, occupational social organizations, and other domestic and foreign organizations and individuals participating in agricultural extension and technology transfer activities on Vietnamese territory.

2. Recipients of technology transfer in agriculture

a) Farmers, farm owners, cooperative members, cooperative society members, and other individuals engaged in agricultural production and business operations;

b) Linkage groups, cooperatives, cooperative societies, enterprises, and other organizations engaged in agricultural production and business operations.

Chapter II

CONTENTS AND METHODS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Article 6. Training, instruction, and education

1. Content of Activities

a) Training and instruction to enhance professional knowledge, skills, methods, and techniques in agricultural extension, and to provide knowledge on policies and laws for subjects transferring technology as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Decree;

b) Instruction on production techniques, organization and management of agricultural production and business, and provision of knowledge on policies, laws, markets, prevention and mitigation of damage caused by natural disasters and pests for subjects receiving technology transfer as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 5 of this Decree.

2. Implementation methods

a) Organizing short-term courses combining theory with practice;

b) Conducting classes at the field site;

c) Remote training via radio, television, and electronic agricultural extension information websites;

d) Surveying study tours domestically and internationally;

đ) Other training, instruction, and education methods as prescribed by current laws.

Article 7. Information dissemination and propaganda

1. Content of Activities

a) Propaganda on the Party's guidelines and State policies and laws on agriculture, farmers, rural areas, and agricultural extension;

b) Popularizing production procedures, technological advancements, effective business models, and exemplary practices in agriculture and agricultural extension activities;

c) Providing market information, prices of agricultural products and agricultural materials, farming schedules, prevention and mitigation of damage caused by natural disasters and pests;

d) Establishing a network of agricultural extension communication to advise on technology transfer and to receive feedback from actual production.

2. Implementation methods

a) Through mass media systems;

b) Publishing magazines, materials, and other types of agricultural extension publications;

c) Organizing agricultural extension events: conferences, seminars, contests, fairs, exhibitions, study tours, forums, roundtable discussions;

d) Newsletters, electronic agricultural extension information websites;

đ) Other communication methods as prescribed by current laws.

Article 8. Model Development and Widespread Application

1. Content of Activities

a) Developing demonstration models applying technological advancements and suitable technologies for each locality, production needs, and industry development orientations;

b) Transferring technological advancements and technologies from demonstration models and advanced production examples to a wider scale.

2. Implementation methods

a) Organizing the selection of locations, participants, provision of seeds, materials, equipment support, and necessary contents according to model requirements;

b) Organizing demonstrations and introductions of technological advancements and technologies of the model;

c) Organizing training and guidance on the application of technological advancements and technologies;

d) Organizing field visits, conferences, and seminars to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of technological advancements and technologies in the model;

đ) Organizing information dissemination and popularization to transfer technological advancements and technologies to a wider scale.

3. Prioritize the development and widespread application of the following models:

a) Good agricultural practice models; certified production models; organic agriculture models; production linkage models along value chains tied to product consumption; agriculture combined with eco-tourism models;

b) High-tech application models in agriculture;

c) Effective and sustainable agricultural production management and business organization models;

d) Climate change adaptation agricultural production models, prevention and mitigation of damage caused by natural disasters and pests, environmental protection;

đ) Poverty reduction production development models for vulnerable groups in difficult and extremely difficult areas;

e) Other models based on production needs, market demands, and industry and local development orientations.

Article 9. Advisory Services and Agricultural Extension Services

1. Content of Activities

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

b) Production linkage along value chains of products;

c) Services for transferring advanced technology and techniques, organizing and managing agricultural production and business operations;

d) Entrepreneurship, investment project establishment, capital mobilization, labor recruitment and training, market promotion, brand building, product promotion, insurance for agricultural production and business;

đ) Seed, agricultural materials, equipment, plant protection, veterinary services;

e) Other advisory services and services in accordance with legal regulations, the needs of producers, and the capacity of organizations and individuals engaged in agricultural extension activities.

2. Implementation methods

a) Direct advisory services;

b) Advisory services through media;

c) Advisory services through training, workshops, forums, seminars;

d) Advisory services and services through agreements and contracts.

Article 10. International Cooperation on Agricultural Extension

1. Content of Activities

a) Exchange of agricultural extension experiences and science and technology with international organizations and experts in accordance with legal regulations;

b) Enhance the capacity and qualifications of agricultural extension workers through international cooperation programs and overseas study tours;

c) Programs for cooperation on agricultural extension and technology transfer in agriculture from foreign countries to Vietnam and vice versa.

2. Implementation methods

a) Through agreements, protocols regarding formal state cooperation programs (bilateral or multilateral) or public-private partnership (PPP) cooperation agreements;

b) Through technology transfer contracts between domestic organizations and individuals and those from foreign countries;

c) Other forms of international cooperation in compliance with Vietnamese legal regulations.

Chapter III

FORMS OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Article 11. Forms of Agricultural Extension Activities and Special Forms of Technology Transfer in Agriculture

1. Central forms of agricultural extension activities and special forms of technology transfer in agriculture include:

a) Central agricultural extension programs (from five to ten years);

b) Annual regular agricultural extension plans;

c) Other agricultural technology transfer programs and plans approved by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. Local forms of agricultural extension activities and special forms of technology transfer in agriculture include:

a) Local agricultural extension programs (from three to five years);

b) Local annual agricultural extension plans;

c) Other agricultural technology transfer programs and plans approved by the People's Committee of the province or centrally administered city.

3. The forms of agricultural extension activities and technology transfer in agriculture specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall be implemented according to the assignment method or bidding process as prescribed by current legal regulations.

Section 1

FORMS OF CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Article 12. Central Agricultural Extension Programs

1. Basis for establishing central agricultural extension programs

a) Policy directions, strategies, projects for developing agriculture and rural areas and national key products;

b) Domestic and international market demands; practical production needs;

c) Investment policies, investment incentives, and forecasts of state and private sector resources for agricultural extension and technology transfer activities during the program implementation period;

d) Programs, projects, and international treaties related to agricultural extension and technology transfer activities that Vietnam is a member of or has signed.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organizes the establishment and approval of central agricultural extension programs for each five-year or ten-year phase in line with the medium-term and long-term development plans of the industry. The implementation procedure is as follows:

a) Proposing and developing central agricultural extension programs for each sector and national key products;

b) Soliciting opinions from relevant organizations and individuals;

c) Establishing an advisory council to review the central agricultural extension programs;

d) Approving the central agricultural extension programs;

đ) Announcing on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s electronic portal.

3. Adjusting central agricultural extension programs

During the implementation period, based on industry development policy directions and practical production and market needs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approves adjustments to the central agricultural extension programs.

Article 13. Requirements for central agricultural extension projects

1. To meet the objectives, scope, and content of the approved central agricultural extension program or urgent tasks as directed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. Advanced techniques and technologies transferred must be recognized or approved by the competent authority.

3. The content of activities in the central agricultural extension project includes: model construction; model replication; project management. Among these, the content of model construction must involve the participation of provincial agricultural extension organizations or other organizations on the local area with functions and tasks appropriate to the content of the project.

Article 14. Criteria for registering to lead central agricultural extension projects

1. For the leading organization

a) Having functions and tasks related to agricultural extension and technology transfer in agriculture or business operations suitable to the field and products of the project; priority given to organizations that own or hold copyright over the advanced techniques and technologies required by the project;

b) Meeting the requirements regarding human resources and scientific and technological capabilities to implement the project;

c) In the two years prior to the registration date to lead the project, not being in any of the following situations: having led a central agricultural extension project with an acceptance result of "unsatisfactory"; using the project funds for purposes not in accordance with the law.

2. For the project leader

a) Being an individual from the leading organization, directly responsible for organizing the implementation and bearing primary responsibility for the results of the project;

b) Holding a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field corresponding to the main content of the project; having at least three years of experience in agricultural extension or transferring advanced techniques, or engaging in production and business in the same field and product of the project;

c) In the two years prior to the registration date to lead the project, not being in any of the following situations: having led a central agricultural extension project with an acceptance result of "unsatisfactory" or having committed violations leading to the suspension of the project;

d) Each individual can only lead one central agricultural extension project at the same time.

Article 15. Construction and Approval of the List of Central Agricultural Extension Projects to be Implemented Annually

1. Based on the approved central agricultural extension program, each year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development establishes an advisory board to determine the list of central agricultural extension projects. The list of projects includes: project name; objectives; activity content; implementation area; implementation period; expected results.

2. Based on the advisory board's opinions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approves the list of projects before July 31; publishes it on the Ministry's website and guides organizations and individuals to prepare the application documents to lead the projects.

3. In cases where necessary (to meet practical production needs, market demands, or to serve urgent tasks of the sector, prevent and mitigate natural disasters and epidemics), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development may approve additional project lists outside the central agricultural extension program.

Article 16. Project Documents for Central Agricultural Extension Projects

1. Document registering to lead the central agricultural extension project.

2. Summary of agricultural extension activities and technology transfer in agriculture of the organization applying to lead the central agricultural extension project (Model No. 01 issued together with this Decree).

3. Scientific curriculum vitae of the individual applying to lead the central agricultural extension project (Model No. 02 issued together with this Decree).

4. Detailed description of the central agricultural extension project (Model No. 03 issued together with this Decree).

5. Confirmation document for cooperation in implementing the central agricultural extension project (Model No. 04 issued together with this Decree).

6. Implementation confirmation document for the central agricultural extension project at the local level (Model No. 05 issued together with this Decree).

7. Commitment to contribute matching capital (if applicable).

Article 17. Acceptance and examination of the validity of the central agricultural extension project dossier

1. Receiving applications

a) Within thirty days from the date of publication of the list of projects, organizations or individuals wishing to register as the main organizer of the project shall prepare the project dossier in accordance with Article 16 of this Decree and submit one set of the dossier (original copy) to the agency accepting the dossier (either directly or through public postal service).

b) The date of receipt of the dossier is the date recorded on the stamp of the public postal service upon delivery (in case of submission through public postal service) or the stamp of the agency receiving the dossier (in case of direct submission).

2. Within seven working days from the deadline for submitting the dossier, the agency accepting the dossier shall organize the opening of the registration dossier to examine its completeness and validity.

a) Participants include representatives of relevant agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and representatives of organizations or individuals registering as the main organizers of the project shall be invited to attend.

b) A valid dossier is one that is prepared according to the prescribed forms in Article 16, meets the criteria specified in Article 14, and is submitted within the time limit stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

c) For invalid dossiers, the agency accepting the dossier shall notify the organization or individual in writing within five working days from the end of the dossier opening and examination process.

d) The results of the dossier opening shall be recorded in a protocol as prescribed.

Article 18. Establishment of the evaluation board, criteria, and scoring scale for evaluating dossiers

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall establish an evaluation board for the dossiers of organizations registering as the main organizers of central agricultural extension projects.

2. Evaluation criteria and scoring scale

The dossier of organizations registering as the main organizers of agricultural extension projects will be evaluated and scored out of a maximum of 100 points, according to the following groups of criteria and scoring scales:

a) Organizational capacity of the main organizer: up to 15 points;

b) Capacity of the project leader: up to 10 points;

c) Capacity of organizations and individuals cooperating in implementing the project: up to 10 points;

d) Content of project activities: up to 20 points;

đ) Methodology for implementation and feasibility of the project: up to 15 points;

e) Results, effectiveness, and replicability: up to 20 points;

g) Project budget: up to 10 points.

3. The dossier recommended for selection by the board is the one with the highest average score across all criteria and must achieve at least 70 out of 100 points, with no criterion having more than one-third of the board members present giving it zero points.

Article 19. Approval of Central Agricultural Extension Projects

1. Based on the recommendations of the board, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall consider and approve, and announce the results of selecting the main organizing organizations and project leaders for central agricultural extension projects.

2. Organizations or individuals shall complete the project dossier and submit it to the agency accepting the dossier (either directly or through public postal service) within fifteen days from the date of the notification.

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall decide to approve the project and approve the project description for central agricultural extension projects before November 30, and assign the main organizing organizations and project leaders to implement the project according to the task assignment or procurement method as currently prescribed.

Article 20. Inspection and Evaluation of Central Agricultural Extension Projects

1. Annually, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall organize the establishment and approval of plans for regular or spot inspections to inspect and evaluate the organization and implementation, progress, results, and effectiveness of central agricultural extension projects. The inspection frequency must be conducted at least once for each project during its implementation period.

2. Prior to conducting inspections (at least five working days in advance), the inspection team shall notify the time and location of the inspection to the organizing body, project leader, and members of the inspection team. The organizing body and project leader shall prepare a report on the project's progress and submit it to the inspection team to facilitate the inspection work.

3. During the implementation of the project, the organizing body shall conduct self-inspections of the project and submit reports on the inspection results to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development before June 15 and December 15 each year, or at any time when required.

Article 21. Adjustment of Central Agricultural Extension Projects

1. Adjustment based on the proposal of the organizing body of the central agricultural extension project

a) During implementation, if issues arise, the organizing body shall propose adjustments in writing, clearly stating the reasons and send them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (directly or through public postal services).

b) Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the organizing body's written proposal, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall examine and decide on the adjustment or delegate authority to subordinate agencies to make such decisions and inform the organizing body to implement them.

2. Based on the results of annual inspections and acceptance of projects or in necessary cases, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall examine and approve adjustments or delegate authority to subordinate agencies to make such decisions to align with practical requirements and inform the organizing body to implement them.

3. The adjustment completion time must be before November 30.

Article 22. Acceptance of Project Results of Central Agricultural Extension Projects

1. Annual Project Acceptance

a) Before December 25, the organizing body of the project shall submit one set of annual project acceptance files (directly or through public postal services) to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

b) The annual project acceptance files include: the organizing body's request for acceptance; the annual project implementation result report (in accordance with Model No. 06 issued together with this Decree); the contract and acceptance minutes between the organizing body and cooperating units; inspection minutes (if any); related documents and products (if any);

c) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall assign subordinate agencies to accept the results of the annual project implementation before January 30.

2. Final Project Acceptance

a) Before March 31 of the following year after the project ends, the organizing body of the project shall submit one set of final project acceptance files to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (directly or through public postal services);

b) The final project acceptance files include: the organizing body's request for final project acceptance; the project summary report (in accordance with Model No. 07 issued together with this Decree); the annual project acceptance minutes; inspection minutes; related documents and products (if any);

c) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall establish a final project acceptance committee;

d) Within fifteen working days from the date of the final project acceptance committee meeting, the organizing body shall be responsible for completing the final project acceptance files and submitting them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

đ) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall approve the final project acceptance results before June 30 each year and publish them on the ministry's electronic portal.

Article 23. Regular Agricultural Extension Plan

1. The regular agricultural extension tasks shall be implemented annually and include the following groups of tasks:

a) Information dissemination: organizing agricultural extension events (forums, roundtables, conferences, seminars, contests, fairs, exhibitions); disseminating through mass media; agricultural extension newsletters and electronic websites; building agricultural extension databases; agricultural extension materials and publications;

b) Training: providing training to upgrade the professional skills of agricultural extension officers at all levels and units participating in agricultural extension activities; enhancing production skills and management for producers; developing agricultural extension learning materials; conducting study tours domestically and internationally;

c) International cooperation on agricultural extension;

d) Procurement and repair of equipment for agricultural extension activities;

đ) Management, inspection, and evaluation of the effectiveness of agricultural extension activities.

2. Construction, review, and approval of the regular agricultural extension plan

a) Before July 31 each year, organizations and individuals propose the next year's regular agricultural extension tasks (Model No. 08 issued together with this Decree) to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (directly or via public postal services);

b) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assigns subordinate agencies to aggregate and develop the regular agricultural extension plan before August 31;

c) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development establishes a review board for the regular agricultural extension plan;

d) Based on the review results, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approves the regular agricultural extension plan before October 31.

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assigns tasks to subordinate agricultural extension organizations to implement regular agricultural extension tasks according to the task assignment method or procurement method as stipulated.

4. Inspection of regular agricultural extension tasks The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organizes the construction and approval of the inspection plan for regular agricultural extension tasks and assigns subordinate agencies to implement according to the approved plan.

5. Adjustment of regular agricultural extension tasks

a) During implementation, if issues arise, organizations and individuals submit written proposals to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (directly or via public postal services);

b) Within 15 working days from receiving the proposal, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reviews and approves adjustments or delegates subordinate units to approve adjustments and notify organizations and individuals to implement;

c) During implementation, based on industry development policies and practical production needs, market demands, and inspection results, when necessary, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approves adjustments to tasks to meet practical requirements and notifies organizations and individuals to implement.

6. Completion acceptance of regular agricultural extension tasks

a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assigns subordinate agencies to organize the acceptance of the completion of regular agricultural extension tasks with organizations and individuals before January 30;

b) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development establishes a review board for the acceptance results of regular agricultural extension tasks before April 30;

c) Based on the review results, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approves the acceptance results of regular agricultural extension tasks before June 30.

Section 2

FORMS OF LOCAL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Article 24. Local Agricultural Extension Programs

1. Basis for developing local agricultural extension programs

a) Policies, orientations, strategies for agricultural and rural development, and key agricultural products of the locality;

b) Natural, economic, and social conditions of the locality; practical production needs and market demands;

c) Central agricultural extension programs issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at each stage.

2. Procedures for developing, reviewing, and approving local agricultural extension programs

a) The People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities assigns specialized agencies to develop local agricultural extension programs and seek opinions from relevant agencies and units;

b) The People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities organizes review boards for local agricultural extension programs;

c) Based on the review results, the Chairman of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities approves the local agricultural extension program and publishes it on the provincial or city People's Committee's website.

3. Adjusting local agricultural extension programs

During implementation, based on the locality's development policies and practical production and market needs, the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities approves adjustments to the local agricultural extension program.

Article 25. Procedures for developing, reviewing, and approving local agricultural extension plans

1. Annually, based on approved local agricultural extension programs and practical production and market needs, local agricultural extension organizations and other entities participating in agricultural extension activities propose extension plans and budget estimates to the local state management agency responsible for agricultural extension before September 30.

2. The local state management agency responsible for agricultural extension reviews the content and budget estimates and submits them to the same-level People's Committee before November 15.

3. The People's Committees at all levels approve or delegate approval authority to subordinate agencies for local agricultural extension plans before November 30 and publish them according to regulations.

4. The People's Committees at all levels decide or delegate authority to subordinate agencies to assign tasks to local agricultural extension organizations to implement the agricultural extension plans through task assignment or procurement methods as stipulated.

Article 26. Management of local agricultural extension plans

The Chairmen of the People's Committees at all levels assign subordinate agencies to direct and guide the implementation of agricultural extension plans, organize inspections, acceptance, and final settlements according to current regulations.

Chapter IV

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER POLICY IN AGRICULTURE

THROUGH AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Article 27. Training, Refresher Courses, and Education Policy

1. Recipients of technology transfer Are supported up to 100% of costs for materials, meals, travel, accommodation during participation in training, refresher courses, education, and agricultural extension study tours as stipulated.

2. Technology Transfer Providers

a) Are supported up to 100% of costs for materials, travel, meals, and accommodation during participation in training, refresher courses, education, and agricultural extension study tours as stipulated;

b) Lecturers, teaching assistants, tour guides, and class organizers receive 100% of benefits according to current regulations;

c) Priority is given to training female agricultural extension officers and ethnic minority people.

Article 28. Information and Propaganda Policy

1. The state budget supports up to 100% of the costs for building content for agricultural extension propaganda on mass media, publishing magazines, extension materials, organizing agricultural extension events (conferences, seminars, contests, fairs, exhibitions, forums, roundtables), establishing and managing databases of agricultural extension information, and other forms of agricultural extension propaganda.

2. Parties transferring technology and parties receiving technology transfers at agricultural extension events shall be supported with costs for materials, travel, meals, and accommodation according to current regulations.

Article 29. Policy on Model Development and Expansion

1. Support policy for model demonstration construction

a) Models demonstrated in difficult areas, particularly difficult areas, border regions, islands, areas affected by natural disasters, pests, and climate change, as announced by competent authorities, will be supported up to 100% of the costs for seeds, equipment, and essential materials to build the models;

b) Models demonstrated in midland and mountainous areas, coastal plains will be supported up to 70% of the costs for seeds, equipment, and essential materials to build the models;

c) Models demonstrated in delta areas will be supported up to 50% of the costs for seeds, equipment, and essential materials to build the models;

d) High-tech application models will be supported up to 40% of the total implementation costs of the models (for all areas);

đ) Models organizing agricultural production and business management will be supported up to 100% of the implementation costs of the models but not exceeding 100 million VND per model (for all areas);

e) Up to 100% of the costs for certification of food safety production facilities and disease-safe facilities when participating in model construction according to current regulations (for all types of models).

2. Policy for Model Expansion

The state budget supports up to 100% of the costs for organizing training, workshops, information dissemination, conferences, seminars, and study tours to expand models.

Article 30. Encouragement Policies for Consulting and Service Activities in Agricultural Extension

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in agricultural extension activities may participate in consulting and service activities in agricultural extension as stipulated in Article 9 of this Decree and according to current laws.

2. Organizations and individuals engaged in consulting and service activities in agricultural extension are prioritized for land leasing, preferential loans, tax exemptions, and fee reductions according to current laws.

3. Costs for agricultural extension services and consulting are agreed upon by the parties involved. Management and utilization of revenues from such services and consulting follow current legal provisions.

Article 31. Socialization of Agricultural Extension and Technology Transfer in Agriculture

1. Organizations and individuals participating in socializing agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture enjoy the following policies:

a) Being honored, promoted, and introduced products owned by organizations and individuals when effectively implementing agricultural extension and technology transfer activities that positively impact agricultural production and business;

b) Receiving guidance and favorable conditions from state management agencies responsible for agricultural extension when participating in agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture;

c) Enjoying preferential policies regarding taxes, fees, loans, land leases, and other policies according to current laws.

2. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals participating in socializing agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture:

a) Seed varieties, livestock breeds, agricultural supplies, machinery, and equipment transferred must be recognized as technological advancements or permitted for production, trade, use, and circulation according to the law;

b) When transferring technological advancements and technologies, specific instructions about their features and effects must be provided;

c) Bearing responsibility under the law and compensating for damages caused by the transfer and application of technological advancements and technologies (except in cases of force majeure);

d) At least 15 days before implementation, submit a report to the state management agency responsible for agricultural extension in the area. The report includes: name of the technological advancement or technology being transferred, permitted products for production, trade, use, and circulation along with usage instructions; activity content; time and location of implementation; recipient of the transfer; commitment to responsibility as stipulated in point c of this clause.

3. Responsibilities of state management agencies responsible for agricultural extension:

a) Within five working days from receipt of the report, the state management agency responsible for agricultural extension has the responsibility to check the completeness and compliance with the provisions of Clause 2 of this Article; if it does not comply or is inconsistent with local policies, needs, and conditions, a written notice must be sent to the organization or individual explaining the reasons;

b) Proactively inspect and monitor the agricultural extension and technology transfer activities of organizations and individuals implemented in the area.

Chapter V

 AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION BUDGET

Article 32. Sources of agricultural extension funding

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

a) The central budget allocated for agricultural extension programs, projects, and plans under the central expenditure tasks and 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 formed from the following sources:

a) The local budget allocated for agricultural extension programs and plans under local expenditure tasks and approved by the People's Committees at the provincial, district, and commune 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) The capital of other agricultural extension organizations;

b) Partial support from the state budget through agricultural extension programs, projects, and plans approved by competent authorities;

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 33. Utilization of agricultural extension funds

1. Agricultural extension funds from the state budget are used for:

a) The contents stipulated in Articles 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this Decree;

b) Hiring domestic and foreign experts to serve agricultural extension activities and evaluate the effectiveness of such activities;

c) Purchasing copyrights and new technologies suitable for transfer;

d) Procuring equipment to serve agricultural extension activities;

đ) Managing agricultural extension programs, projects, and plans with 8% of the agricultural extension fund (of which 3% is allocated for the agricultural extension management agency and 5% for the implementing organization);

e) Other expenses serving agricultural extension activities.

2. Management and utilization of agricultural extension funds not from the state budget are decided by organizations and individuals in accordance with this Decree and current laws.

Article 34. Preparation, execution of budgets, and settlement of agricultural extension funds

1. Central agricultural extension funds are used for agricultural extension activities managed and organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development prepares the budget, allocates funds, and settles the annual central agricultural extension fund according to the State Budget Law and guiding documents.

2. Local agricultural extension funds are used for agricultural extension activities managed and organized by the People's Committees at the provincial, district, and commune levels according to the budget hierarchy. The provincial People's Committee prepares the budget, allocates funds, and settles the annual local agricultural extension fund according to the State Budget Law and guiding documents.

3. Implementation of expenditures and payment of central and local agricultural extension funds are based on agricultural extension programs, projects, and plans approved by competent authorities.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 35. Responsibilities of central ministries and sectors

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

a) Drafting, submitting to competent agencies for issuance or issuing within its authority legal normative documents, mechanisms, policies, strategies for agricultural extension development, economic and technical standards for agricultural extension;

b) Drafting and issuing lists of advanced technologies related to seeds, products, production processes, technical solutions, management solutions encouraged for transfer in agriculture;

c) Approving central agricultural extension programs, projects, and plans and directing their implementation;

d) Assigning subordinate agencies to perform state management functions over agricultural extension, signing contracts, managing, inspecting, supervising, accepting, settling central agricultural extension programs, projects, and plans, and technology transfer programs in agriculture;

đ) Specifying the composition and operation methods of evaluation and acceptance councils for regular agricultural extension programs, projects, and tasks;

e) Guiding localities on professional and vocational agricultural extension matters;

g) Cooperating with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to attract capital and resources for agricultural extension activities;

h) Inspecting, checking, and resolving complaints and denunciations regarding agricultural extension activities;

i) Coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to guide the management and use of central agricultural extension funds and local agricultural extension funds;

k) Managing central agricultural extension funds according to regulations;

l) Summarizing, evaluating, and periodically reporting

2. Ministry of Finance

a) Taking the lead and coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to allocate regular expenditure funds for central agricultural extension activities according to the State Budget Law, guiding documents of the Law, and this Decree, and submitting to competent authorities for decision;

b) Taking the lead and coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to guide the management and use of central agricultural extension funds and local agricultural extension funds.

3. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies within their respective duties and powers have the responsibility to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in performing state management functions over agricultural extension activities as prescribed by the Government.

Article 36. Responsibilities of People's Committees of Provinces and Central Cities

The People's Committee of a province or central city shall perform state management functions over agricultural extension activities within their jurisdiction according to the following contents:

1. Developing and promulgating policies and economic and technical norms for agricultural extension that are consistent with the industry's development policies and directions and local conditions.

2. Approving local agricultural extension programs, approving or delegating to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, People's Committees at district and commune levels to approve local agricultural extension plans and directing the implementation thereof.

3. Assigning subordinate agencies to carry out state management functions regarding agricultural extension, managing, inspecting, supervising, certifying completion, and finalizing accounts for local agricultural extension programs and plans, and technology transfer programs in agriculture implemented locally.

4. Managing agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture carried out within their administrative areas.

5. Ensuring funding for the implementation of agricultural extension policies and support for agricultural extension activities in the locality in accordance with the provisions of this Decree.

6. Mobilizing organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally to attract resources for agricultural extension activities in the locality.

7. Managing local agricultural extension funds.

8. Inspecting, checking, and resolving complaints and denunciations regarding agricultural extension activities within their administrative areas.

9. Directing the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to annually organize summaries, evaluations, draw lessons, and report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture in the locality.

Article 37. Transitional Provisions

Programs, projects, and plans for agricultural extension approved by competent authorities before the effective date of this Decree and currently being implemented shall continue to be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Government Decree No. 02/2010/NĐ-CP dated January 8, 2010, on agricultural extension and related guiding documents until they are certified as completed.

Article 38. Effective Date

This Decree takes effect from July 10, 2018, and replaces Government Decree No. 02/2010/NĐ-CP dated January 8, 2010, on agricultural extension.

Article 39. Responsibility for Implementation

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees are responsible for implementing this Decree./.