Going to a coffee shop is no longer just about enjoying a cup of coffee—it’s also a place to exchange knowledge and techniques in agricultural production. The “agricultural extension coffee shop” model is now being piloted by the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center across the province.
At dawn, Mr. Tám Lộc from Đào Hữu Cảnh Commune, Châu Phú District, sits with a few elderly friends, sipping strong black coffee while discussing rice seed selection and fertilizer application. “Since the ‘agricultural extension coffee shop’ model was launched in our hamlet, every morning I meet my friends here to share farming experiences and read newspapers to update my knowledge,” he explained.
Similarly, veteran farmer Sáu Tính from Vĩnh Tế Commune, Châu Đốc Town, believes the best thing about the model is how it helps farmers access the latest scientific and technical advances, stay informed about current affairs, and interact more closely with agricultural experts. This, he said, gives farmers greater confidence in production.
Most farmers who participate share the same view: these coffee gatherings quickly update them with new information, gradually improve crop and livestock productivity, and raise the quality of their agricultural output.
Lê Thiện Tùng, Head of Trade Promotion and Information at the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center, said each “extension coffee shop” receives support such as metal shelving, signage, scientific documents, and instructional videos on crop cultivation and animal husbandry. Model farms and exemplary production methods from other provinces and regions are also introduced for farmers to learn from and replicate.
So far, nearly 20 “agricultural extension coffee shops” have been piloted throughout the province. “These coffee shops are a gathering place for farmers’ best practices, innovative techniques, and creative approaches,” Mr. Tùng noted.
Looking ahead, Huỳnh Hiệp Thành, MSc., Director of the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center, said the center will work with local district authorities to gradually expand the model across the entire province.