Dong Thap: Developing agriculture in an organic and circular direction

In recent times, farmers in Dong Thap province have implemented many organic agricultural models, initially bringing economic efficiency, protecting the ecological environment, aiming at sustainable production and enhancing the value chain. This contributes to the effective implementation of the Agricultural Restructuring Project.

ENHANCE THE VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Thanks to the focus on implementing many solutions, the province's Agricultural Restructuring Project has been strongly implemented, gradually shifting from ineffective rice production to developing fruit trees, aquatic products and ornamental flowers - industries with high economic value. Up to now, Dong Thap has formed large-scale concentrated production areas such as: Mango, ornamental flowers, durian, pineapple, dragon fruit, tra fish...

Processing seafood for export at IDI Multinational Investment and Development Corporation.

In particular, for the crop sector, the province has a structural shift towards increasing quality and meeting export market demand. The focus is on developing key industries such as: rice, crops, ornamental flowers and fruit trees in a specialized and sustainable direction. An important achievement is the promotion of concentrated production organization, expansion of the area with planting area codes and traceability, creating a clear competitive advantage for the province's agricultural products.

Regarding the rice industry, farmers in Dong Thap province apply many synchronous solutions: Field sanitation, treatment of remaining rice, mechanization of soil preparation, row sowing combined with fertilization, reducing the amount of seeds sown to 70 kg/ha. Water management using the alternating wet-dry method, limiting post-harvest straw burning, and utilizing by-products as organic fertilizer. Regarding pests, farmers implement integrated pest management (IPM) according to the "4 rights" principle: Right medicine, right dosage, right time, right method.

Accompanying the departments and branches, recently, the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Dong Thap province successfully organized a conference to disseminate knowledge on "Effectiveness of circular economic models in agriculture ", thereby contributing to raising people's awareness of the role and importance of developing circular economic models in agriculture. At the same time, realizing the Action Plan on green growth in Dong Thap province for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050...

In addition, the province has also applied the Project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta" which has shown clear effectiveness. Up to now, the area participating in the Project has reached over 58,800 hectares, equal to 81.6% of the plan for the period 2024 - 2025.

Along with rice, fruit trees continue to be an important strength. The whole province has more than 133 thousand hectares of fruit trees with an output of over 2.2 million tons/year. Regarding livestock, the industry structure has clearly shifted towards reducing the scale of small households and developing concentrated livestock farming according to the farm model. The whole province currently has more than 2,600 farms, of which 5 large-scale farms have been granted certificates of eligibility for livestock farming, contributing to stabilizing the total herd and improving economic efficiency.

Regarding aquaculture, it continues to grow strongly in depth, with total aquaculture output estimated at 930,000 tons (an increase of 223,000 tons compared to 2020).

Recently, relevant sectors in the province have focused on increasing the value of agricultural products through chain linkage. The province currently has 408 agricultural cooperatives that are the focal points for linking agricultural product consumption, helping people closely link input with output. The "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program has been implemented synchronously and effectively; to date, the province has 1,002 OCOP products recognized as achieving 3 stars or more. At the same time, the application of science - technology and digital transformation is the foundation for modern agricultural development...

Mr. Tran Thanh Tam, Head of the Dong Thap Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection, said: “Recently, Dong Thap has developed a new production model with high economic value, a circular organic production model; expanded concentrated, large-scale commodity production areas according to standards and orders of enterprises.

Along with that, organize production in the direction of expanding the scale of consumption linkage according to the value chain; develop safe agricultural products, organic agricultural products with certification of growing area codes and traceability of origin. Strengthen the application of science and technology, develop high-tech agriculture associated with the development strategy and orientation of restructuring key industries and potential industries of localities...

DEVELOPING AGRICULTURE IN A MODERN AND SUSTAINABLE DIRECTION

Identifying agriculture as an important foundation, in the coming time, the province will focus on comprehensively restructuring the agricultural sector, ensuring maximum product value with high technology content and a circular production and processing chain.

Tan Binh Agricultural Cooperative (Tan Long commune) focuses on developing organic rice farming.

Implement the Project “Building Dong Thap province as a pioneer in ecological agriculture, modern countryside, civilized farmers”. Reorganize the development space of each ecological region, closely connect with the market, processing industry and complete the corresponding technical infrastructure system.

Along with that, for the rice industry, effectively implement the Project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta", expand the production area of ​​2 crops/year, continue to promote the value chain in the direction of specialization and high technology; form large-scale raw material areas, synchronous mechanization, apply advanced farming processes; invest in building a rice processing area in the Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate Economic Zone.

For the seafood industry, planning to expand farming in areas with favorable conditions, developing concentrated, high-tech, biosafety farming areas, turning Dong Thap into a center for high-quality freshwater fish breeds, a center for deep processing and exporting pangasius fish in the country.

Promote the value of lotus, plan stable growing areas, develop value chains towards diversifying products from food, medicinal herbs, cosmetics to eco-tourism. Build a focal point for agricultural and freshwater aquatic products, playing a coordinating role, connecting supply and demand for the whole region.

Develop the freshwater alluvial area along the Tien River into a national-level specialized area for growing specialty fruit trees and ornamental flowers. Restructure the main fruit growing areas such as durian, mango, jackfruit, longan, guava... in the direction of improving quality, food safety, and expanding export markets. Promote the issuance of growing area codes, packaging facility codes, and apply VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards.

Farmers in Dong Thap province apply high technology to safe vegetable production.

Encourage investment in post-harvest preservation and processing technology to increase added value. Upgrade Sa Dec Flower Village to become the country’s high-tech ornamental flower center, combining production with research, breeding new varieties and tourism development…

Dong Thap is also a pioneer in applying high technology and digital transformation. Mechanization, automation, IoT, AI are applied to farm management, disease monitoring, weather forecasting, helping to increase productivity and reduce costs. In addition, in the consumption stage, the province promotes digital transformation. Electronic traceability systems and agricultural e-commerce platforms help farmers connect directly with consumers, reduce intermediaries, increase profits and affirm their brands...

Comrade Le Ha Luan, Provincial Party Committee member, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Thap shared: “The most important highlight is that Dong Thap will shift its development mindset from agricultural production to agricultural economy, focusing on efficiency, added value and sustainability.

This is a major breakthrough, creating a foundation for sustainable development of Dong Thap agriculture in the coming time, and is the basis for the province to build Dong Thap province into a pioneering and model province in ecological agriculture, modern countryside, and civilized farmers...

NAM PHONG

Source: https://www.baodongthap.vn/kinh-te/202511/dong-thap-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-theo-huong-huu-co-tuan-hoan-1052214/