High technology application - the key to green development

High-tech agriculture is a strategic direction to help the Mekong Delta proactively adapt to climate change, opening up opportunities for green and sustainable development for the entire region.

On November 21 in Can Tho City, the Management Board of the High-Tech Agricultural Zone of Ho Chi Minh City coordinated with the Management Board of the High-Tech Agricultural Zone of Hau Giang to organize a workshop on “Developing high-tech agriculture to adapt to climate change”. The event was attended and directed by leaders of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the People's Committee of Can Tho City, and representatives of ministries, experts, scientists, businesses and farmers in the region.

Workshop “Developing high-tech agriculture to adapt to climate change”. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

The workshop aims to create a multi-dimensional connection forum between managers, scientists , businesses and farmers to share experiences, introduce new technologies and propose sustainable agricultural development strategies for the Mekong Delta and South Central Coast in the context of increasingly strong impacts of climate change.

Mr. Tran Chi Hung, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee, affirmed that this is an important event in promoting regional linkages, contributing to shaping the innovation ecosystem in agriculture. Currently, Can Tho City has more than 511,000 hectares of agricultural land, identifying high-tech agriculture as a strategic direction. Many models such as smart rice production to reduce emissions, energy-saving irrigation systems, greenhouses, net houses, hydroponics, tissue culture, drought- and salinity-adapted livestock farming, aquaculture according to ASC standards... have brought about remarkable results.

However, according to Mr. Hung, the local agricultural sector still faces many limitations: high investment costs for high technology, uneven access to technology among farmer groups, unstable markets, and unsynchronized digital transformation. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation between the State, businesses, institutes, schools, cooperatives and farmers to solve these problems together.

Technical staff record field monitoring data in the emission reduction rice farming model in the Mekong Delta. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

The workshop focused on five main contents: assessing the impact of climate change on agricultural production; introducing new technologies such as automation, IoT, artificial intelligence; sharing proven effective models; proposing credit support mechanisms, land, agricultural insurance and strengthening regional linkages to expand the market for high-tech agricultural products according to international standards.

Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and Training (Management Board of the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Agricultural Zone), said: The strong development of IoT technology, sensors, robots, and artificial intelligence has helped Vietnamese agriculture shift from traditional farming methods to more proactive ones based on monitoring and forecasting. If previously greenhouses and smart irrigation equipment had to be imported at high prices, now most of them are produced domestically, increasing quality and reducing costs, opening up opportunities for widespread application for farmers.

He also emphasized the important role of precision farming, automation and biotechnology in breeding salt- and drought-tolerant varieties. These are key factors for the Mekong Delta to cope with saltwater intrusion and natural disasters. In addition, the concept of regenerative agriculture, focusing on restoring soil health, reducing chemical use, and cultivating ecological diversity, is becoming a global trend and is completely consistent with Vietnam's sustainable agricultural development strategy.

The model of growing melons in greenhouses is proof of the effectiveness of high-tech agriculture. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

From a practical perspective, Ms. Nguyen Thi Giang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City, presented impressive results from circular economic models, a sustainable approach that combines greenhouse gas emission reduction. With more than 700,000 hectares of rice each year, Can Tho produces about 3 - 3.5 million tons of straw. Instead of burning it, causing pollution, many localities have collected straw for sale or for straw mushroom production, making organic fertilizer, bringing significant income to farmers.

Typically, Minh Duc Cooperative (Chau Thanh Commune, Can Tho City) is operating a closed-loop process, collecting straw after harvest to grow straw mushrooms, using mushroom residue to produce organic fertilizer and then fertilizing rice, fruit trees, and sugarcane. The Cooperative also utilizes by-products such as durian, mango, squash peels and duck manure combined with microorganisms to create a source of high-quality organic fertilizer, helping to improve the soil, reduce the cost of chemical fertilizers and contribute to reducing emissions.

Similarly, New Green Farm Cooperative (Thot Not Ward, Can Tho City) formed the large Tan Phuoc field. After participating in the VnSAT project, it strongly shifted to rice production using the "3 reductions, 3 increases" and "1 must, 5 reductions" techniques associated with linking 100% of output consumption, increasing profits by 25-30%. Based on IRRI's support, the Cooperative developed a model of utilizing straw to grow mushrooms, produce organic fertilizers and then fertilize the rice fields. The results of the pilot model showed a higher yield of 300kg/ha, reduced the number of pesticide sprays, improved soil pH and improved the quality of commercial rice.

High-tech agriculture is an important step in strategic positioning in the economic development of the Mekong Delta region. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Notably, the indoor straw mushroom growing model brings higher profits than outdoor thanks to limiting the impact of weather, increasing crops and improving productivity. Based on practical results, Can Tho has replicated 3 circular economic models with a scale of 300 - 500 hectares, creating more jobs and increasing income for farmers by 9 - 11 million VND/ha.

According to many experts, high-tech agriculture is an important step in positioning the economic development strategy of the Mekong Delta. The discussion results and recommendations at the workshop will be the basis for localities to improve mechanisms, expand support, promote business investment and promote science and technology transfer.

With the participation of scientists, businesses and farmers, the solutions proposed at the workshop are expected to create breakthroughs, helping agriculture in the Mekong Delta and South Central Coast proactively adapt to climate change, moving towards green, smart and sustainable production.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ung-dung-cong-nghe-cao--chia-khoa-phat-trien-xanh-d785698.html