Uncle Ho met farmers in the rice field at Hung Son commune (Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province) in 1954

Farmers’ Enduring Role in National History

– Mr. Doan, on the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, as head of the Farmers’ Union, how would you assess the role and contributions of Vietnamese farmers over the past eight decades alongside the nation?

There have been many assessments of the role and enormous contributions of Vietnamese farmers throughout the country’s history, especially over the past 80 years since the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Farmers made extraordinary contributions during the nation’s revolutions and struggles. In particular, during the wars of resistance against the French and the Americans, the role of farmers was indispensable. They were both steadfast soldiers on the frontlines and diligent laborers in the rear.

The spirit of “not one grain of rice short, not one soldier missing,” and “everything for the front, everything for victory,” became a powerful source of material and spiritual strength, helping secure historic victories for the nation.

During Đổi Mới (Renovation), farmers again played a pioneering role. The renewal of agriculture began with them, and the achievements of agricultural reforms provided enormous value for Vietnam’s development over nearly 40 years.

In today’s industrialization and modernization, farmers remain essential. First, they contribute greatly to political stability in rural areas. Second, they play a key role in driving agricultural modernization, ensuring stable development for industry and other sectors nationwide.

Under the Party’s leadership, farmers have actively supported reform initiatives, particularly those promoted by the General Secretary in this new era. Farmers are now embracing science and technology, applying it in production, joining collective economic models, and transitioning from family farms and small businesses into agricultural enterprises. They have also responded enthusiastically to national campaigns, such as the “Digital Literacy for All” movement.

Throughout history, farmers have trusted in the Party’s leadership and consistently contributed to Vietnam’s development.

The delegation led by Chairman of Vietnam Farmers’ Union Luong Quoc Doan visited the high-tech shrimp farms of Mr. Dang Van Bay, a member of the Billionaire Farmers’ Club in Thanh Phu District, Ben Tre Province.
Photo: Huynh Xay

Policies to Support Farmers in the New Stage

– With such contributions in mind, what policies and support from the Party and State does the Farmers’ Union need to help its members continue to play their leading role in national development?

The VNFU has always received close attention and trust from the Party and State, demonstrated through key resolutions. These include Resolution 26-NQ/TW (August 5, 2008) on “Agriculture, Farmers, and Rural Areas” and, most recently, Resolution 19-NQ/TW (June 16, 2022) of the 13th Party Central Committee, setting goals for 2030 with a vision to 2045. These resolutions assign the Union the responsibility of guiding and empowering farmers to be the main agents in agricultural development, building new rural areas, and strengthening the rural economy.

With that mandate, the VNFU proposed and secured the Politburo’s adoption of Resolution 46-NQ/TW (December 20, 2023) on renewing and improving the Union’s activities to meet the demands of the new era.

The Union has been innovating its approach to organizing members. Unlike in the past, farmers are now grouped into professional branches and groups, where members with shared interests and industries can work together. The Union has focused on developing the collective economy, which is seen as central to supporting and protecting farmers’ rights.

It has also launched practical farmer movements, especially two core ones:

1. Farmers Emulating in Good Production and Business, Helping Each Other to Get Rich and Reduce Poverty Sustainably.
2. Farmers Actively Participating in Developing the Collective Economy.

Another breakthrough mission is training and fostering outstanding farmers, ensuring they serve as role models and catalysts for other members in economic development.

To achieve this, the Union organizes:

• Technology transfer: partnering with scientists, institutes, and universities to deliver modern farming techniques to farmers.
• Access to finance: working with banks and the Farmers’ Support Fund to provide preferential loans. Currently, the Union manages over VND 5,000 billion in its Support Fund and coordinates with banks to channel about VND 200,000 billion in loans to farmers.
• Advisory services: offering consultations and support in technical farming, seed and livestock supply, and fertilizers.
• Legal education: helping farmers understand Party guidelines and State laws, ensuring compliance in both production and daily life.
• Market access: assisting farmers in bringing products to e-commerce platforms. Many households now have online accounts and trade regularly. The Union also organizes trade fairs and maintains more than 700 farm produce stores nationwide to support farmers’ sales.

In addition, with growing export demands, the Union trains and guides farmers to produce goods that meet international standards, shifting from “producing what we have” to “producing what the market requires.” The Union also promotes farmer linkages for collective, large-scale production—especially in export-oriented crops and products.

Breakthrough Missions for the New Era

– Looking ahead, what breakthrough missions has the VNFU set to build the image of Vietnamese farmers—preserving tradition while equipping them with the capacity and confidence to integrate globally?

Vietnamese farmers are hardworking, resilient, and quick to adapt. They possess strong determination to rise above difficulties, which is a major strength for the Union.

To meet new demands, the Union itself must change—modernizing its methods of outreach, communication, and guidance for farmers. General Secretary Tô Lâm has emphasized that organizational restructuring must lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness. This requires new thinking and approaches from every unit and individual in the system.

As part of the Fatherland Front, the Farmers' Union must abandon outdated ways and embrace modern, results-oriented methods. It has already begun drafting documents for its upcoming Congress, aligning with the draft Political Report of the Party’s 14th National Congress and key Politburo resolutions.

For the next five years, the VNFU has set four breakthrough missions:

1. Renew membership engagement – Farmers must see tangible political, economic, and protective benefits in joining the Union.
2. Strengthen the collective economy – Farmers can no longer rely on fragmented, small-scale production. Large-scale, market-oriented, cooperative production is the way forward.
3. Promote digital transformation – Farmers often lag behind in digital skills, even if they use smartphones. The Union will focus on helping them apply digital tools in production and daily life.
4. Support rural entrepreneurship – From collective models and successful farms, outstanding farmers will be trained to become small business owners and cooperative leaders.

The Prime Minister has approved Decision 517/QĐ-TTg on training Union officials, grassroots leaders, and outstanding farmers (2025–2030), preparing them to become heads of cooperatives and rural enterprises.

– Thank you, Mr. Chairman!