From July 7th to July 15th, 2023, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Petrovietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals Corporation (PVFCCo – a company specializing in the production and distribution of Phu My fertilizers), organized the “Bác sĩ nông học”( Agricultural Doctor) program in coordination with local farmers’ associations. This annual program consists of a series of advisory seminars and direct dialogues between agricultural experts, scientists, and farmers to share knowledge and experiences in agriculture, livestock farming, trade promotion, plant protection, and fertilizer use.
This year, the program was held in six locations in three provinces and cities, including Cờ Đỏ District, Phong Điền District (Can Tho City); Châu Thành District, Chợ Lách District (Ben Tre Province); Phú Tân District, Chợ Mới District (An Giang Province). The events were attended by representatives from the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), leaders from local agricultural sub-departments and centers, farmers’ associations, and nearly 2,000 exemplary farmers, farm owners, cooperatives, and agricultural clubs.
Agronomists answer farmers’ questions
The advisory board for disease prevention in this year’s “Agricultural Doctor” program includes experts and leading scientists who are closely connected to farmers and local communities in the field of agricultural production. They are Associate Professor Ph.D Châu Minh Khôi – Vice Rector of Can Tho University’s College of Agriculture and specializes in crop cultivation and agricultural soil; Ph.D Phạm Kim Sơn – Deputy Head of the Plant Protection Department at Can Tho University – an expert in Plant Protection; Ph.D Nguyễn Văn Bắc – Deputy Head of the Permanent Office in the South – National Agricultural Promotion Center; and Master Phạm Quý Ninh – a fertilizer expert from PVFCCo.
During the program, hundreds of diverse questions were raised by farmers from different districts, covering various fields such as agricultural mechanisms, policies, crop cultivation, livestock farming, veterinary medicine, aquaculture, pest and disease prevention, and fertilizer use. These questions were directly addressed by the experts and scientists through a Q&A session. The advisory board provided solutions and explanations for all the issues encountered by farmers in the agricultural production process. Additionally, the experts introduced various types of fertilizers, guided farmers in differentiating between genuine and fake plant protection products, and provided advice on trade promotion activities and market access for agricultural products.
Participants in the program ask questions with experts
In addition, during the programs, farmers had the opportunity to hear PVFCCo introduce, access, and receive guidance on the most effective use of the Phú Mỹ fertilizer product range, suitable for the climate and soil conditions of the region.
The “Agricultural Doctors” of the program also compiled materials tailored to the local farming practices and growth cycles of crops and livestock, which were sent to the participating farmers. These materials are truly valuable resources that assist farmers in their cultivation and livestock farming activities, enabling them to apply scientific and technical advancements to their production processes, change their labor methods, and reduce input costs.
Over the years, the “Agricultural Doctor” program has proven to be a reputable forum for agricultural promotion, providing an effective platform for farmers to share knowledge with scientists, managers, and businesses, especially as we are moving towards a green and circular agricultural economy.
