The pilot construction of rural information centres is part of a project on administrative reform conducted by the MARD, jointly sponsored by the UNDP and the Dutch Government. To the project's total investment of US$500,000, the UNDP contributed US$400,000, and Vietnam, US$100,000.

The project, to be implemented from 2006-2008, will set up and operate 13 rural information centres in Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thai Binh, Binh Thuan, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Binh Phuoc, Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces.

Bach Quoc Khang, Director of the administrative reform project, said that the project aims to build infrastructure facilities, improve local officials' capacity and establish centres to provide information on agricultural production and market for farmers and also facilitate the local people's exchange of information and experience in agricultural production.