Farmers need to change their thinking about agricultural production and apply digital transformation.

Updated date: 08/17/2023 10:45:14

DTO - "To improve the efficiency of agricultural production, in the coming time, Dong Thap needs to develop organic, sustainable agriculture, apply high technology, add value, form key industry chains, have potential, comparative advantages associated with brand building, further promote OCOP products. At the same time, support production - consumption linkage through online channels, e-commerce platforms..." - That is the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his visit and working session with Vietnam Rice Company Limited (Vinarice) and Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (6th from right) visits the rice production factory of Vietnam Rice Company Limited (Vinarice)

BUILDING AND DEVELOPING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT BRANDS

In recent times, Dong Thap has effectively implemented solutions to restructure the agricultural sector associated with new rural construction and sustainable poverty reduction according to Conclusion No. 250-KL/TU dated December 9, 2021 of the 11th Provincial Party Committee. Agricultural production continues to develop well, agricultural products are consumed smoothly, the value of agricultural production in the first 6 months of the year is estimated at VND 21,671 billion (2010 comparable prices), an increase of 3.94% over the same period in 2022 (equivalent to an increase of VND 820 billion). Promoting its inherent strengths, the province continues to focus on developing and building key commodity chains (rice, pangasius, ornamental flowers, mango, lotus) and implementing the Digital Transformation Project for the agricultural sector; expanding the area of application of traceability technology and growing area codes...

Dong Thap also pays attention to encouraging enterprises to invest in high technology in agriculture. As a member of Vietnam Seed Group Corporation (VINASEED), Vinarice (Truong Xuan commune, Thap Muoi district) invested in a factory with a total investment capital of over 350 billion VND, with a drying and processing capacity of 50,000 tons of seeds and 100,000 tons of rice/year, with a modern, synchronous, fully automatic drying and processing technology line system.

In recent times, Vinarice has linked production with farmers in the province through providing seeds at regulated prices; training and guiding farming techniques and purchasing all output on the cooperative area with farmers at market prices. In addition, Vinarice has coordinated with the People's Committee of Thap Muoi district to build a "Linked Field" model with a scale of 700 hectares. This model applies information technology and modern machinery to serve production management from water, fertilizer, environmental instructions, pH... suitable for growth, ensuring maximum productivity, saving materials, fertilizers and protecting the environment. From there, the production model contributes to changing farmers' habits from agricultural production to agricultural economy, focusing on clean production, improving product quality and value...

During his visit and working session with Vinarice, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that the unit is performing well the tasks of Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022 on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas in the direction of civilized farmers, high income, ecological agriculture, and modern rural areas; at the same time, diversifying products and actively participating in the global supply chain.

The Prime Minister said that in order to increase product value, Vinarice must continue to improve product competitiveness; focus on investing, building and developing Vietnamese agricultural product brands in general and the company's in particular; planning raw material areas with reasonable land funds; ensuring appropriate benefits for farmers to contribute to rural industrialization. Along with that, developing deep processing; researching and applying advanced science and technology in clean production, appropriate farming techniques; attractive packaging and designs; implementing traceability well in conjunction with digital transformation; conducting advanced, green production processes, reducing methane emissions; actively cooperating sustainably with partners, valuing culture, business ethics, promoting the traditions and morality of Vietnamese people.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Vinarice must build a good ecosystem of cooperatives, production facilities, and farming households with long-term cooperation agreements, harmonizing interests, stabilizing the market, and developing business culture...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left cover) highly appreciated the production scale of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative.

FARMERS NEED TO CHANGE THEIR THINKING IN PRODUCTION

In recent times, sectors and levels in Dong Thap province have paid attention to transforming the structure of crops and livestock to gradually shift to those with high economic value. At the same time, they have encouraged and promoted the effectiveness of agricultural extension models.

As one of the leading units in applying scientific and technological advances in production, Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative (My Dong commune, Thap Muoi district) has created a great change in enhancing the value of the agricultural sector. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Director of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, said: "The cooperative was established in 2002, with a capital contribution of more than 1 billion VND, and now has 95 members, including 10 party members. Over the years, the cooperative has built many effective economic models such as: synchronous application of machinery and technology in production, production linkage. From there, it helps members increase their income, and their lives are increasingly improved. The cooperative is proactive in linking the production of seeds and commercial rice; is implementing rice production according to sustainable rice standards (SRP), complying with prescribed standards, contributing to reducing production costs and increasing profits for farmers...".

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that the model of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative is in line with the Party's policy and guidelines on building modern rural areas, ecological agriculture, and civilized farmers. This is also a green development model with circular economic elements of the cooperative, contributing to the implementation of Vietnam's commitment at the COP26 Conference.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also highly appreciated the changing mindset of farmers of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative in implementing the construction of modern rural areas and civilized agriculture, changing from not having to plow manually to applying digitalization in the fields. “We are on the right track, modernizing farmers is one of the three very important pillars of digitalization, circular economy and green development. What do we need to continue to do? One is digitalization, which is very important. Two is land accumulation, to have raw material areas. Three is the cultivation and fertilization stages with the support of science and technology. Fourth is capital, which requires policies. Fifth is the market, which requires businesses to participate,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minister suggested that in the coming time, the Cooperative should continue to carry out digital transformation in agriculture to connect and effectively exploit scientific knowledge, technology, and production skills; quickly and promptly connect production with the market. Along with that, continue to implement green production, improve product quality; promote mechanization, improve labor productivity; build brands; reduce input costs to improve production efficiency, contributing to increasing people's income. At the same time, focus on building rice brands; plan stable raw material areas to increase production value; focus on good design of product packaging and models, contributing to improving product quality and rice value...

KHANH PHAN

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