Mastering the digital economy

In Ea Kiet commune, for many years, agricultural products produced by the people were carried in heavy baskets on their shoulders, associated with traditional markets or relying on traders for distribution, usually only circulating within a limited area. Now, technology has opened up a new channel for consumption for the people...

The family of Ms. Quang Thi Tho, a Thai ethnic minority from Thai village, Ea Kiet commune, owns more than 7 hectares of land planted with upland sticky rice, cashew nuts, and macadamia nuts. Previously, every harvest season, she worried about finding buyers for her produce because she was dependent on traders. "We sold whatever they bought, the price was determined by the traders, and sometimes we were even forced to accept lower prices," Ms. Tho recounted.

Everything changed four years ago when Ms. Tho got a smartphone and learned how to use social media. She decided to both produce and process the goods and learn how to sell them on the online marketplace.

Ms. Quang Thi Tho (right in the photo) has proactively sold the agricultural products she produces through direct sales and online channels.

Ms. Tho began transforming her kitchen into a "studio." She took photos, recorded videos , livestreamed, and posted articles about the elaborate process of roasting cashews over charcoal; shared cultural stories about the journey of making fragrant, sticky rice; brewed rice wine and purple sticky rice wine; or simply documented the actual images of products she claimed were "homemade."

"I sell retail and wholesale to customers nationwide; I sell directly from my home, through fairs and exhibitions, but mainly through online channels. On average, I sell more than 200 kg of various grains and upland sticky rice each month. Most importantly, I have become self-sufficient in the distribution of agricultural products at much better prices," Ms. Tho happily said.

In Thai village, over 95% of the population are of the Thai ethnic group. While Ms. Tho knows how to independently market agricultural products, Ms. Vi Thi An is the one who "keeps the flame alive" for the traditional handicraft of her ethnic group: making smoked pork and beef. This is a distinctive dish that requires skill, secret marinades, and elaborate preparation time.

Although she still sells directly to local customers and small eateries and restaurants, Ms. An realized that consumption was still limited. Therefore, she turned to online channels as a lifeline. She focused on creating content guiding customers on how to identify authentic smoked beef and how to preserve it. She filmed images and videos telling the story of grilling the meat, spreading images rich in national culture. Ms. An shared: “Since selling online, orders have skyrocketed. Customers from all over are placing orders. I not only sell retail but also wholesale to large specialty stores. During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), consumption reaches more than 600 kg/month.”

Ms. Vi Thi An livestreams to sell traditional specialties of the Thai ethnic group.

The increased production not only brings stable income but also motivates her to expand production and, most importantly, to preserve the traditional craft of the Thai ethnic group more effectively.

The success of Ms. Tho and Ms. An is vivid proof that many people in Ea Kiet realize that technology has become a lever helping farmers become proactive entrepreneurs, confidently expanding their startup opportunities. The digital transformation process in the area has been changing traditional habits and mindsets of the people and opening a new chapter for rural entrepreneurship.

"Now, with each harvest, I no longer worry about whether traders will buy my produce. Every morning, my first task is to open my phone, check messages, and reply to customers. The entire process of preparing and packaging the goods must be meticulous to satisfy customers," shared Ms. Quang Thi Tho.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ea Kiet commune, said: "Ea Kiet commune has up to 42% of its population belonging to ethnic minorities, with 18 ethnic groups living together. A positive sign is that the digital transformation program is reaching people in remote and disadvantaged villages and hamlets of the commune, helping rural people change their habits and mindset in production and daily life. Technology is now a tool for them to rise up and legitimately become wealthy."

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202512/lam-chu-kinh-te-tren-nen-tang-so-4610ccc/