From traditional village to... smart village

BAC NINH - For generations, in the subconscious of every person, the traditional countryside has been the image of green bamboo fences rustling in the wind, the sound of chirping birds, the concrete road leading to the red-tiled house, the father leading the buffalo to the field, the mother carrying vegetables to the market to sell... Now, along with that peacefulness is a completely new countryside: where farmers use their phones to farm, where agricultural products are consumed through e-commerce platforms, where people can enjoy many conveniences just by sitting at home.

Farming with technology

Under the scorching sun of a July noon, the guava field of Mr. Tran Dinh Long, Director of Tan Yen Guava Consumption Cooperative in Lan Thinh village, Phuc Hoa commune ( Bac Ninh ) is still cool in the rhythmic misting water from the smart irrigation system. With a satisfied smile, he said: "Before, watering by hand could not be done all day. Now, with just one operation on the phone, the trees are watered evenly, saving water and giving higher efficiency."

Mr. Tran Dinh Long (far right) applies digital technology in the production and consumption of pear guava.

Mr. Tran Dinh Long's family has more than 2,000 pear guava trees and 200 early lychee trees. Since 2022, thanks to 70% cost support from the locality, he has invested in a smart irrigation system worth 65 million VND. This system allows remote irrigation, humidity sensors automatically adjust the amount of water needed, helping the trees grow evenly and healthily. On average, each year, the Cooperative supplies the market with 200 to 300 tons of pear guava, including regular orders from large supermarket chains such as DABACO.

Not only stopping at irrigation technology, Lan Thinh people also boldly apply phone software to manage pests, monitor plant growth, plan harvests and especially distribute agricultural products through online platforms. Pear guava - a new local specialty product has thus reached many provinces and cities, favored by consumers for its quality and special flavor.

Phuc Hoa Commune is famous for its early lychee specialty, and is one of three localities nationwide selected to pilot the construction of an "e-commerce commune" model in the 2023 - 2025 period. Lan Thinh Village was chosen as the starting point for this model. A digital map of local agricultural products has been built, connecting with cultural sites and large production areas, creating an effective trade promotion and advertising network. Up to now, nearly 200 stalls of farmers in the commune have been put on e-commerce platforms such as Postmart, Voso, ShopeeFarm... No longer "good harvest, low price" or dependent on traders, farmers are now proactive in approaching, understanding consumer tastes and being flexible in production. Thanks to that, income has been increased, the consumption market has become more stable and sustainable.

Not only in Lan Thinh smart village, other localities such as Kha Ly Thuong (Van Ha ward), Nam Dong (Hiep Hoa commune), Tam Hop (Tu Lan ward), Cam Xuyen (Xuan Cam commune) ... are also gradually "smartizing" the countryside. Internet coverage is widespread from village cultural houses, medical stations to schools. People can easily access wireless networks to update information, study, work remotely or contact public services. In the fields, rice transplanters, drones spraying pesticides, smart sensors monitoring humidity, soil nutrition, plant diseases ... are no longer too new. Technologies that were only seen in urban areas or in high-tech agricultural models are now penetrating into every small field.

"Digitalizing" rural areas

Not only improving production, digital transformation also contributes to improving the quality of life in rural areas. The elderly can now use smartphones proficiently. They read electronic newspapers, watch their favorite programs such as cheo, quan ho, listen to folk music, make video calls to their children and grandchildren who work far away...

Applying digital technology, now farmers not only hear the sound of flutes or roosters crowing, but also phone calls reminding them of watering schedules, text messages announcing new orders from e-commerce platforms, and video calls filled with the laughter of their children far away...

Ms. Chu Thi Yen, 72 years old, living in Kha Ly Thuong residential group (Van Ha ward) shared: "My child works in Taiwan (China), every week I video call home, it feels like my child is right next to me. In the past, if I wanted to ask about each other, I had to write letters and wait for a month, now with just one action, I can see each other's faces." Cameras installed at home also help children living far away feel more secure when monitoring the situation of their relatives from afar. Care and family ties are maintained regularly, regardless of geographical distance.

Instead of having to go to the People's Committee of the commune or ward to queue, people can now do many administrative procedures right on their phones. Digital record management systems and online public services are widely deployed, helping administrative work to be transparent, reducing procedures and saving time for people. In particular, digital skills training classes are held in many villages and communes. People are instructed on how to use smartphones, access the Internet safely, know how to sell online, promote local agricultural products; young people start digital businesses from traditional products; rural women know how to protect their rights online, and participate equally in community activities.

Amidst the wave of technology that is spreading strongly, traditional cultural values ​​of the countryside are still preserved. Bac Ninh Quan Ho is still "resonant, rumbling, deep, bouncy", the smooth Cheo melody still resonates under the village communal house roof, the green bamboo hedge is still somewhere as a symbol of sustainability. But now, in the ears of farmers there is not only the sound of flutes or roosters, but also the phone ringing reminding the watering schedule, the text message announcing new orders from the trading floor, the video call filled with laughter from children far away... From traditional villages to smart villages is a journey that not only changes infrastructure and technology but also changes the thinking, awareness and habits of rural people. It is a harmonious combination between the traditional "root" and the modern "new", between sustainable cultural values ​​and the power of digital transformation. That is the foundation for building countrysides that are not only rich, civilized but also smart and sustainable in the digital age.

Article and photos: Thu Phong

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/tu-lang-truyen-thong-den-thon-thong-minh-postid422707.bbg