Lao Cai farmers in the digital environment

From applying technology to farming management to bringing agricultural products to e-commerce platforms, Lao Cai farmers have "caught up" with technology.

Automatic irrigation system for grapefruit garden in Thac Ba commune.

Mr. Mua A Su, Tat village, Tan Hop commune, has successfully built a sturgeon farming model thanks to his quick access to technology. A few years ago, Tat village did not have a phone signal, so he boldly invested more than 20 million VND to run network cables to the fish farm to install 8 cameras to monitor the fish.

Mr. Su said: "Since having the internet, in addition to being able to monitor fish through the camera system, I also go online to learn techniques for caring for and treating fish-related diseases and to entertain myself after work."

From the internet, Mr. Su learned how to build a sturgeon pond system, control water quality, and apply effective nutritional supplementation techniques to ensure the health and growth of sturgeon. At the same time, he built an effective fish management and care process, including controlling water quality, providing the right amount of food periodically, checking fish health, and using the best disease treatment methods.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh (blue shirt) has attached a QR code to his family's Dai Minh grapefruit product.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh's family in Thac Ba commune has been applying the VietGAP and organic farming model for many years. He also applies science and technology to install an automatic irrigation system using smart sensors to optimize the process of taking care of crops.

In particular, attaching QR codes has supported product traceability, contributing to enhancing the Dai Minh grapefruit brand, helping the family's products reach further in the market inside and outside the province.

Mr. Dinh shared: “Products sold on the market with traceability stamps have higher value. Customers can also be assured of the quality, and this is also a way for buyers to identify the family's product brand.”

Since 2020, Thang Loi Fruit Cooperative, Sa Pa Ward has applied automatic technology in the strawberry growing process. Mr. Tran Tuan Nghia, Thang Loi Fruit Cooperative said: After applying the smart automatic irrigation system, the garden watering time is more accurate, helping the plants grow and yield higher yields.

One of the obvious benefits that digital technology brings to Lao Cai farmers is the opportunity to access a wider market. Instead of just selling products to local traders, they can directly promote and sell on e-commerce platforms and social networks.

Ms. Lo Thi Mai, a farmer in Nghia Lo ward, has been successful in selling her family’s traditional brocade products on social networks. She shared: “Previously, I only sold to tourists visiting the market. Since selling online, I have had more customers and my family’s income has become more stable.”

Farmers in Pung Luong commune are trained to improve their capacity, use smartphones, and sell products on social networking platforms.

Although online sales help to access a wider market, Lao Cai farmers are still vulnerable to pressure in the value chain: processing, packaging, preservation, and logistics in mountainous areas are still weak, high transportation costs reduce competition; lack of linkage leads to small scale, difficulty in meeting large orders or orders according to export standards; regional brand building is still fragmented...

Therefore, to create a sustainable digital environment for farmers, coordination between local authorities, relevant sectors and units is needed.

In response to the requirements, many localities have been implementing support programs including: installing broadcasting stations, free wifi at commune centers; organizing basic digital skills training for farmers; supporting the establishment of online booths for cooperatives; many localities coordinate with units to organize training courses in the form of "hand-holding" to improve the ability to exploit technology in production and product consumption.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Dong - Vice President of the Provincial Farmers' Association shared: "Recently, the Lao Cai Provincial Farmers' Association has organized training courses on business skills on digital platforms; supported members in building agricultural product brands, production management, food hygiene and safety and product promotion; promoted the development of geographical indications and growing area codes for farmers' products".

Farmers in Lam Giang commune are trained to use smartphones to sell products on social networking platforms.

Facing the strong wave of digital transformation, Lao Cai farmers have gradually caught up in time. With proper support, they can turn indigenous knowledge, local advantages and community creativity into competitive strengths in the digital market. However, for the transformation to truly bring widespread and sustainable benefits, it is necessary to combine infrastructure upgrades, skills training, financial support and the construction of organized value chains. Only when all links from farmers, cooperatives, government to businesses are operated synchronously, can Lao Cai turn digital potential into a real driving force for sustainable agricultural development.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nong-dan-lao-cai-trong-moi-truong-so-post884615.html