Cao Bang: Science, technology and innovation create momentum for socio-economic development

Putting science, technology and innovation at the center helps Cao Bang form new production models, standardize processes and enhance the value of local specialties. This is also the key for Cao Bang to effectively implement the goal of poverty reduction, improving people's lives and sustainable development.

In recent years, science, technology and innovation (S&T) have become an important driving force in the process of transforming the growth model of Cao Bang. Under the unified direction of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, S&T tasks are prioritized to closely follow the actual needs of production and life, contributing to promoting stable socio -economic development.

The province's GRDP growth is higher year after year, reaching 11,981 billion VND at 2022 comparable prices and striving to reach 13,386 billion VND by 2024, clearly reflecting the role of science and technology in key areas such as border gate economy, tourism, services and endemic commodity agriculture .

Institutional improvement is one of the important steps forward. Cao Bang has issued many strategic guidance documents, creating a solid legal foundation, ensuring the implementation of research tasks in line with development requirements.

Along with that, the potential of science and technology is enhanced with large-scale investment projects. Most notably, the High-tech Agricultural Zone in Le Chung Commune, Hoa An District, with a total investment of 16.5 billion VND, helps preserve and restore valuable genetic resources, propagate and provide seeds for key agricultural programs and projects.

The province's product traceability system has also received an investment of nearly 3.5 billion VND, contributing to standardizing the production chain and enhancing the competitiveness of local specialties in the market.

The model of intensive organic tea improvement in Cao Bang is highly effective.

The biggest focus of Cao Bang’s science and technology activities lies in the agricultural sector. The province has been implementing 56 provincial-level science and technology tasks, of which agriculture alone has 20 typical tasks with many clear results.

Many technology application models have changed the traditional production methods of the people, typically the tasks of developing Panax pseudoginseng in Thong Nong, Hoai Son in Nguyen Binh, black lingzhi mushroom, high-tech orchid, Soi rung and Cham purple according to GACP-WHO standards; or models of renovating mixed gardens with super early Thai jackfruit trees, testing Giổi for seeds, developing indigenous purple sticky rice and Cao Bang golden soybeans. These tasks not only create sources of high-quality medicinal herbs and plant varieties but also open up new directions for the agricultural economy of the highlands.

Cao Bang is also one of the leading localities in the conservation of valuable genetic resources. Many endemic genetic resources have been investigated, preserved and developed into commodity production models, such as Luc Khu black pigs, indigenous black-bone chickens in Ha Quang and Bao Lam, agarwood fish, Mac Pup trees, Sam Thang plum trees and Trung Khanh chestnuts. Another model that has brought about remarkable results is the commercial farming of catfish in cages on rivers and lakes in Bao Lam district, which is assessed to have high replicability and is suitable for local conditions.

In the industrial sector, many new technologies have been researched and transferred, contributing to increasing the value of local specialties. Typical examples include the process of producing essential oils and products from Tra Linh tangerines; star anise processing technology in Thach An; technology of producing unburnt bricks from local materials to support the demolition of temporary houses; products processed from passion fruit; the process of pre-processing and preserving Trung Khanh chestnuts, a famous specialty of the province. These products are gradually affirming Cao Bang's brand in the market of high-quality agricultural products and foods.

A highlight is the effectiveness of national science and technology projects, typically the model of linking the production of Nep Huong rice in Bao Lac district. The province has mastered the technique of producing certified seeds, organized a commercial production model, built a process of preserving and processing specialty rice, developed brands and promoted consumption inside and outside the province. Nep Huong products are becoming a new key agricultural product, contributing to increasing income and creating stable livelihoods for people in difficult areas.

Along with production, Cao Bang promotes the development of intellectual property as an important tool to enhance the value of specialties. The province has created and managed many certification marks and collective marks, including An Lai vermicelli, Mo Tinh Tuc vermicelli, Thach An black jelly, Cao Bang shiitake mushrooms, Cao Bang red fo-ti, Nguyen Binh dragon fruit and Hung Dao dried vermicelli. These marks help protect product reputation, expand consumption markets and increase income for local people.

The red polygonum multiflorum growing model in Cao Bang gives high economic efficiency.

In the field of medicine and health care, the province has deployed many advanced techniques such as the family health station model, chronic disease management at the grassroots level, application of biotechnology in Spirulina algae cultivation for medicinal production, or building a model of growing and processing Gynostemma pentaphyllum according to GACP-WHO standards. These tasks contribute significantly to improving the quality of health care for people, especially in remote areas, while creating clean medicinal products for the domestic market.

In general, the strong development of science, technology and innovation is opening up many new opportunities for Cao Bang. Advanced production models, new technologies and modern management systems are helping the province improve productivity, increase product value, promote economic development and especially create sustainable livelihoods for the people.

When science and technology really enter life, the goal of poverty reduction will not just stop at slogans but become specific, measurable changes, reflected in the income, quality of life and development opportunities of people in the highlands.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/cao-bang-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-va-doi-moi-sang-tao-tao-dong-luc-phat-trien-kinh-te-xa-hoi-197251125221825658.htm