"Fueling" hundreds of farmers and cooperatives to join the digital economy

Vietnam Association of Economic and Trade Consulting Information ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) announced the implementation of the Project "Digital transformation and sustainable creative economic development through livestream training and e-commerce sales for small businesses, farmers, cooperatives, youth, rural women and priority community groups".

The project is considered a strategic step to bring digital technology to the grassroots, helping people, cooperatives and small businesses proactively integrate, contributing to the implementation of the national goal of comprehensive digital transformation and sustainable development.

People's Representative Newspaper had an interview with Chairman of the Vietnam Economic and Trade Information Consulting Association Luong Van Tu is related to this Project.

1120251107131709(1).jpg — *Association Chairman Luong Van Tu (left) and Mr. Trinh Xuan Tuyen - Head of the Digital Transformation Project Implementation Team*

Aiming for the goal of each commune having a "digital nucleus"

- Why did the Vietnam Economic and Trade Information Consulting Association choose to launch a large-scale project, directly targeting farmers, women and rural youth - groups with little access to technology, sir?

Mr. Luong Van Tu: In more than 20 years of working in foreign affairs, especially when I led the negotiation delegation for Vietnam to join the WTO (World Trade Organization), I realized that for a country to integrate deeply and sustainably, it cannot rely only on industry or macro policies, but needs to improve the capacity of each citizen.

Today, digital technology and e-commerce are the most equalizing tools, helping people in any region to participate in the global value chain.

If when joining the WTO, Vietnam opened its doors through institutions, then digital transformation is the integration step at the human level. When a farmer or woman knows how to livestream to sell oranges, agricultural products, promote OCOP products or traditional handicrafts, that is true digital transformation. And when the commune and ward authorities accompany the people, that is sustainable digital transformation.

- As the head of the Vietnam Economic and Trade Information Consulting Association, can you share about the goals, implementation methods and role of the Association in leading this project?

Mr. Luong Van Tu: Vietnam Economic and Trade Information Consulting Association operates under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, with the role of connecting - consulting - and popularizing digital economic knowledge.

We see a significant gap between the State’s digital transformation policy and the ability to implement it at the local level. This project is the bridge to bridge that gap, bring policies into life, and help technology become a tool to serve people.

The association does not only talk about technology theory, but focuses on practical solutions: Training livestream skills, digital marketing, branding, connecting with e-commerce platforms, and creating practical business models for the community.

We implement the project in three clear and measurable phases:

Phase 1: Organize a series of workshops on “Innovation – Creativity – Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development of Vietnam” in communes and wards nationwide. This is the first step to help people understand what digital transformation is and its practical benefits.

Phase 2: Organize hands-on training, where people directly learn how to shoot videos, livestream, post products, create online stores, and tell their own brand stories.

Phase 3: Connect with e-commerce platforms, businesses, logistics units - forming a complete digital supply chain for local products.

In particular, the Association will provide financial support, organization and expert connection during the implementation process in localities.

We expect that communes and wards will proactively and confidently organize workshops, attracting the participation of people and businesses, thereby turning digital transformation into concrete actions, helping people increase their income and economic autonomy.

What I wish most is that each commune and each cooperative has at least one "digital nucleus" - pioneers who spread knowledge, inspire creativity and aspiration to rise in the community.

*Digital transformation helps the community confidently create new values with knowledge and creativity (Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)*

Creativity is in the way people think "differently" and do "differently"

- During the discussion, you repeatedly emphasized the element of “sustainable innovation”. Could you explain more clearly the meaning of this concept in the current context of rural Vietnam?

Mr. Luong Van Tu: “Creativity” is not only about technology, but also about how people think differently and do differently from what they have. A farmer livestreaming to sell clean vegetables is creativity. A brocade weaving cooperative promoting its products via social networks is also creativity.

But for innovation to become sustainable, people need knowledge, skills and a supporting ecosystem. This project hopes to build that ecosystem, where the State - Enterprises - Associations - Communities share responsibilities and support each other. Only when rural communities become the subject of digital transformation, will the development process be truly comprehensive.

- With your experience leading Vietnam to join the WTO, what advice do you have for promoting digital transformation today?

Mr. Luong Van Tu: Joining the WTO helps Vietnam “go out to sea”. Digital transformation is a journey of learning to swim in the ocean of data and technology. To integrate, one must understand the rules of the game; to develop, one must have knowledge.

Digital transformation cannot be done by the State or businesses alone, but must start with the people. When every farmer understands that the phone in his hand is a global business tool, the country will truly change.

Thank you for sharing!

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tiep-lua-cho-hang-tram-nong-dan-hop-tac-xa-gia-nhap-nen-kinh-te-so-10395010.html