Vinh Long proposes to build a typical locality to develop ecological agriculture

Vinh Long proposed that the Central Government select a locality to be a typical example in applying science and technology to serve the development of ecological agriculture and digital rural areas in the Mekong Delta region.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province has been focusing on implementing programs and plans to create breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation, green and circular economic development, attracting investment resources and improving competitiveness. To better understand this issue, Agriculture and Environment Newspaper spoke with Mr. Lam Van Tan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province.

Mr. Lam Van Tan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province. Photo: Le Hung.

Can you share some initial results in science, technology development, innovation and digital transformation in the province's agriculture and environment sectors?

Implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, the agricultural and environmental sector of Vinh Long province has built a model of high-quality, low-emission rice production associated with green growth and synchronous mechanization. In 2024, the province had only 2 pilot models of 2 cooperatives with an area of ​​98.4 hectares, now it has expanded to 30 cooperatives with an area of ​​more than 4,100 hectares.

Models of growing colors in greenhouses, net houses, hydroponics, IoT applications and smart sensors, organic farming combined with biological products, and applying GAP standards associated with the issuance of growing area codes have been deployed on about 4,000 hectares and are expected to expand to 12,000 - 16,000 hectares by 2030, accounting for about 30 - 40% of the province's annual growing area.

In addition, the province also focuses on producing fruit trees using high technology with smart irrigation systems to save water, trace the origin by QR code, produce according to VietGAP/GlobalGAP standards and apply electronic diaries associated with the issuance of planting area codes. Currently, the province has about 5 - 6% of the area applied, equivalent to about 4,500 - 5,000 hectares and is continuing to expand these models to about 20% of the area, equivalent to 23,000 - 30,000 hectares to serve export.

In the field of fisheries exploitation, the province has applied GPS positioning system, voyage monitoring (VMS), smart fishing gear, modern preservation by PU and quick freezing, along with the use of AI, big data, IoT to forecast fishing grounds, optimize fuel. At the same time, combining renewable energy on fishing vessels, contributing to improving exploitation efficiency, reducing costs, protecting resources and developing sustainable fisheries...

What major challenges does Vinh Long face in the process of implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on agriculture and environment, sir?

The first difficulties and challenges are the lack of infrastructure and digital data, limited human resources, high investment costs, along with unsynchronized policy mechanisms, limited public awareness of science, technology development, and digital transformation, and too few businesses investing in the agricultural sector. Some cooperatives are not operating effectively, making the application of science, technology, and digital transformation to agriculture and the environment not as effective as expected.

What are the key goals for 2026 and the following years of the Vinh Long agriculture and environment sector, sir?

The key goal in developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation that the province's agriculture and environment sector sets out in 2026 and the following years is to form a smart, sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Vinh Long province encourages and supports farmers in applying technology to serve agricultural production. Photo: Le Hung.

To achieve this goal, Vinh Long province is focusing on building and effectively implementing the Digital Transformation Project for the agricultural and environmental sectors by 2030, with a vision to 2050, contributing to the development of smart agriculture, digital environment, application of high technology, modernity, sustainability, adaptation to climate change, improving productivity and product quality, and connecting directly with the consumer market.

Vinh Long province also builds a digital database on land, crops, livestock, aquaculture, environment, hydrometeorology, water resources, forests, etc. to serve management, forecasting and decision-making. Promote the implementation of digital government in the fields of agriculture and environment, ensuring transparency, speed, and reducing administrative procedures. Integrate and connect data with ministries, branches and localities, towards a comprehensive digital agriculture.

At the same time, encourage farmers and businesses to apply IoT, AI, Big Data, Blockchain, automatic sensors, smart irrigation and fertilization systems in production. Develop precision agriculture to reduce costs, increase productivity, improve quality and ensure traceability. Apply biotechnology, high technology, digital technology in developing plant, animal and aquatic varieties. Promote e-commerce, digital agricultural product trading floors, traceability using QR codes to expand the market.

Building database, digitizing land records, cadastral maps, updating changes, applying GIS. Digitizing licenses, automatic monitoring system, basin maps connecting hydrometeorological forecasts. Building forest resource database, digital map of forest status, digitizing management records, monitoring by remote sensing, tracking forest fires and changes.

Vinh Long province promotes synchronous mechanization in agricultural production. Photo: Le Hung.

What proposals and recommendations does the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long have to create breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation development in the province according to Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW?

In order to create a breakthrough in the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in the agricultural and environmental sectors in Vinh Long, the Department of Agriculture and Environment recommends that central ministries and branches soon develop, promulgate and organize the implementation of training and fostering programs for cadres, civil servants and public employees on basic knowledge of science, technology, innovation, digital skills and digital technology to serve the digital transformation of the sector.

Develop and deploy IoT application projects in a number of industries and fields such as manufacturing, trade, and smart agriculture. Review and ensure specific policies to attract, recruit, reward, and utilize human resources serving digital transformation to work in state agencies, ensuring sufficient quantity and quality, appropriate to the specific characteristics of the field, region, and area. Deploy artificial intelligence (AI) applications to support analysis, natural disaster warning, climate change response, and environmental protection.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment proposed that the Central Government select Vinh Long to build a typical locality in "Application of science, technology and innovation to serve the development of ecological agriculture and digital rural areas in the Mekong Delta". Pilot the construction of the model "High-tech agricultural zone, Vinh Long circular economy" as a nucleus for replication throughout the region.

Thank you very much!

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/vinh-long-de-xuat-xay-dung-dia-phuong-tieu-bieu-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-sinh-thai-d780788.html