Digital technology - a new 'lever' for sustainable poverty reduction - Part 2: Dual solutions

Through determination and consensus in digital transformation, Thai Nguyen province has achieved dual achievements in economic development and sustainable poverty reduction. For the people, the application of digital technology helps to access information quickly and accurately, while improving production capacity and consumption of agricultural products. For the government, management is more effective, and support activities are deployed to the right subjects.

The process of producing safe vegetables was shared on the internet by officials and members of the Women's Union of Trung Luong commune (Dinh Hoa).

Sustainable poverty reduction from synchronous digital transformation

The synchronization in the implementation of digital transformation in Thai Nguyen province is clearly demonstrated in the coordination between departments, branches, localities and enterprises. The province has established a Steering Committee for Digital Transformation from the provincial to the communal level, clearly assigning tasks and linking the responsibility of the head to the implementation results.

Through the projects, the provincial authorities regularly organize free training classes, provide equipment to support remote learning and working, and expand access to technology for the people. Special attention is paid to areas with many ethnic minorities, people from poor households, single women, and people with disabilities.

The Provincial Women's Union (VWU) is a good example. In the past 5 years, the whole union has supported more than 200 women to start a business, including training, sharing of experiences, and skills in applying information technology in the production and consumption of products. Through that, members have gradually mastered some utilities on technology devices. It is as simple as women participating in Zalo groups, Facebook and e-commerce platforms. It not only creates friendly bonds, but also helps each other increase the value of products, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction.

Ms. Ly Thi Pang, a Mong ethnic in Lung Luong, Thuong Nung commune (Vo Nhai) : Thanks to the help of the local technology team, I "discovered" many utilities from the phone, such as video recording skills, writing advertising content, and using social networks to introduce products on the internet.

Mr. Trieu Van Hong, Khe Rac hamlet, Vu Chan commune (Vo Nhai) said: Thanks to knowing how to use smartphones, the hamlet has to post things on the Zalo group. Families with pigs, chickens, and acacia gardens that are ready to be exploited are also posted online, and traders come to the house to buy at a higher price.

Not only does it support people to escape poverty sustainably, digital transformation also contributes to improving the quality of public services and improving the living and working environment. The digitized population database system helps the government quickly review and identify the right subjects in need of support, thereby implementing social security policies more effectively, avoiding errors and losses.

Mong people in Lan Quan hamlet, Tan Long commune (Dong Hy) share their experience in increasing income from fattening cattle and buffaloes.

A new direction in sustainable poverty reduction in the digital age in Thai Nguyen province is to develop smart tourism , creating new jobs with stable income for farmers. Many areas, destinations as well as restaurant and hotel systems have had their data digitized by the province, creating a digital map to help tourists easily look up, book services, and evaluate their experiences. Many households in ATK Dinh Hoa area; Tan Cuong tea area (Thai Nguyen city); La Bang commune (Dai Tu) have applied technology in product promotion, tour booking and online payment.

In order to synchronize and improve the quality of digital transformation, helping people to rise up in sustainable poverty reduction, Thai Nguyen has been and is continuing to deploy the "shared equipment" model; build community learning centers with basic computer equipment, internet connection, and increase the organization of activities to share technological knowledge for people. Consider the application of synchronous digital transformation as an effective tool in sustainable poverty reduction and comprehensive development. From there, it creates a foundation for sustainable development in the digital age.

Digital Farmers in the Digital Age

Sitting and drinking tea with us, Mr. Chu Van Quan, Cuong Lang hamlet, Thinh Duc commune (Thai Nguyen city), still operates the irrigation system for the fruit garden with the phone in his hand. He confidently said: Technology helps us farmers work more efficiently. Any tree lacking water, lacking fertilizer, or even needing additional fertilizer can be reported on the phone screen. Therefore, investing in garden care is more effective.

Regarding the application of technology in production, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Loi, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Vo Tranh Commune (Phu Luong) , proudly said: Many farmers in my commune invest in technological equipment to serve production. They can travel to Da Nang, or even further to Ca Mau Cape, but can still supervise their work at home. They operate water pumps to irrigate tea plants through the network system and sell agricultural products and make payments through cyberspace.

To verify, the Chairman of the Commune Farmers' Association took us to visit the tea production model of Mr. Dinh Quoc Van's family, Trung Thanh 1 hamlet. As a technology enthusiast, he actively applies technology to production, and at the same time shares his experience in using technological utilities with people in the area.

He said: Information technology helps me plan reasonable care for the entire 5,000m2 of tea land of my family, thereby reducing investment costs, increasing productivity, quality and price. In addition, using QR codes to trace the origin of products has helped my family's tea easily access markets in and outside the province. Previously, it was mainly sold to traders, with unstable prices. Now with traceability, tea can be sold to supermarkets and e-commerce platforms, with higher and more stable prices.

Ethnic people in the province guide each other to use utilities on mobile phones.

Over a cup of tea, our conversation wandered about agricultural products of Thai Nguyen farmers that have entered the markets of demanding countries such as the US, France and many other countries in the world. Then, returning to the context of digital transformation that is spreading strongly across the country, Thai Nguyen province has kept pace by taking action to improve the ability to use technology equipment for farmers. Training and guiding farmers to master technology, gradually bringing digital technology to each field, tea plantation, and farm.

The application of digital technology has created a great change in agriculture, farmers and rural areas. Specifically, it helps to improve productivity and product quality, while opening up opportunities for sustainable development for farmers, especially poor households. Along with the application in production, many farmers in Thai Nguyen province have become proficient in using e-commerce platforms to promote and sell products. The use of smart devices, farm management software, and automatic irrigation systems is gradually becoming popular throughout the province.

This is the result of the digital transformation process in Thai Nguyen province. Previously, Thai Nguyen province has implemented many programs to support farmers in accessing digital technology. Training courses and seminars on digital transformation in agriculture and farmers are regularly organized flexibly, both theoretically and practically, and they can visit effective models.

Without hesitation, farmers in Thai Nguyen province have seen with their own eyes the benefits of applying technology. Specifically, it improves productivity and product quality; helps to better control factors in the production process, thereby improving productivity and quality of agricultural products; and expands consumption markets through online platforms.

Mr. Khuc Van Xuan, a woodworking manufacturer and trader in Thanh Xuyen 4 residential group, Trung Thanh ward (Pho Yen city) excitedly said: Thanks to information technology, I can directly access customers in many places, without being limited by geography.

Using technology helps reduce waste, optimize resources and production costs. Digital farmers can quickly adapt to market fluctuations, thereby improving competitiveness. With support from the government and the efforts of the people, Thai Nguyen is on track to become one of the leading provinces in digital transformation of agriculture. Digital farmers not only use technology, but also proactively innovate, contributing to promoting sustainable agricultural development.

(To be continued)

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/cong-nghe-so-don-bay-moi-cho-giam-ngheo-ben-vung-ky-2-giai-phap-kep-2b4066e/