Forming a chain of links in high-tech agricultural development

(Baonghean) - Nghe An is the province with the largest area in the country, diverse soil, many microclimates, high biodiversity, many rare and special animals and plants, and a World Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO. Therefore, developing high-tech agriculture is very necessary and in the right direction.

The project of growing clean vegetables using high technology was implemented in Nghia Son commune (Nghia Dan). Photo: Document

In recent years, the province's high-tech agriculture has made significant progress. Many high-quality and productive crop and livestock varieties have been tested, applied, and expanded. Many stages in the farming process have been mechanized such as land preparation, harvesting, etc. Many modern equipment have been applied in aquaculture (solar fish finders, LED lights, GPS, etc.), advanced irrigation technology, information technology (using electronic chips, automatic control), greenhouses, biotechnology (seed production by grafting, micrografting, tissue culture, sex selection in cows, tilapia, use of biological products in aquaculture, livestock and poultry farming, and cultivation), alternative soil and hydroponic substrates, etc. have been applied by businesses and farmers.

Some advanced farming processes such as SRI, VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and ecological farming have been tested... Enterprises and farmers have begun to participate in the chain, have paid attention to market signals, built product brands, and formed large-scale, concentrated production areas...

In particular, two major brands, TH and Vinamilk, are recognized as high-tech agricultural enterprises. Therefore, the efficiency and productivity in agricultural production have developed quite well, and farmers' income and living standards have increased. There have been quite a few farmer billionaires in Nghe An.

However, the development of high-tech agriculture in Nghe An is still in its early stages. The application of mechanization and advanced technology in some important stages such as preservation, preliminary processing, and processing is still weak and lacking; the number of enterprises investing in this field is still small compared to its potential...

To develop high-tech agriculture in Nghe An in the coming time, I propose some tasks and solutions as follows:

Firstly, it is necessary to do a good job of planning with the advice of experts, institutes and schools to determine the areas of CNC agricultural application, CNC production objects suitable for the needs of the current and future market. On the basis of determining the areas and objects to have an orientation for applying technology, equipment and production processes suitable for the value and price of products accepted by the market. In particular, it is necessary to prioritize some objects with high economic value for more synchronous application, for example: shrimp, citrus trees, medicinal herbs, specialty vegetables, algae, microalgae, mushrooms, microfungi, etc. Priority should be given to the Western Nghe An region in developing CNC agricultural applications.

Second, developing CNC agriculture requires the formation of a production chain to move towards specialization of production and business stages. In particular, the leading role of agricultural enterprises in the chain is extremely important. Therefore, it is necessary to accumulate land to have a basis for enterprises to participate in production, consumption, and processing as the core leading the chain and farmers as satellites participating in the vertical chain. And of course, it is necessary to have horizontal linkages of farmers (cooperatives specializing in seedlings) to represent farmers in cooperation and contracts with enterprises.

In the stages of the chain, it is necessary to prioritize CNC application in some stages: Production and management of varieties, plant protection drugs, veterinary biosafety, irrigation, organic microbial fertilizers, biotechnology, information technology, automation, preliminary processing, preservation, promotion...

Japanese technology Tencha tea processing line in Hung Son commune (Anh Son). Photo: Thu Huyen

Third, it is necessary to regularly coordinate and support businesses to grasp and forecast the product market to orient the scale and production structure at each stage and each year towards contract production, avoiding the situation of mass production. Support trade promotion, connect product consumption with major cities, and export, focusing on both demanding markets and traditional markets such as Russia and Eastern Europe.

Fourth, promote the intellectual property program to build, promote, exploit and develop brands of key products and specialties of Nghe An, especially clean agricultural products and CNC products at home and abroad. Expand the model of labeling traceability for food safety agricultural products and CNC products.

Fifth, it is necessary to develop and implement training programs for technical staff, business staff, cooperatives, and farms by sending interns at home and abroad to practice in the field of NNCNC. It is necessary to soon assign Institutes and Schools to establish CNC agricultural vocational training centers in the area in the direction of training and practice.

Sixth, the Provincial People's Committee is requested to attract and create favorable conditions to support Institutes, Schools, Science and Technology organizations, and large enterprises to invest in Centers and Stations for research and application of NNCNC, especially in the Western Nghe An region. Priority should be given to the CNC Agricultural Application Research Station in Thai Hoa Town of the Department of Science and Technology, continuing to implement the CNC Agricultural Application Zone project in Nghia Dan that has been planned, the Agricultural Experimental Center of Vinh University, R&D Centers of TH Group, NafoodGroup, Massan...

Seventh, continue to attract and support businesses to invest in the field of CNC agriculture. Find and solve the problem of why businesses have difficulty accessing policies to attract businesses to invest in agriculture and credit packages to support the development of CNC agriculture?

Eighth, from now until 2025, prioritize the implementation of topics and projects applying high technology in the agricultural sector, especially supporting the formation of production chains connecting cooperation between enterprises - cooperatives - farmers. Encourage enterprises to participate in implementing CNC application projects in agriculture in the direction of PPP cooperation, with support from the state budget.

Connecting research results of project topics with agricultural extension programs, new rural areas, etc. to expand the application area. The agricultural sector, district People's Committees, and enterprises strengthen research, detect problems, propose and order scientific and technological tasks in the agricultural sector in a focused, key, and essential manner to help the Department of Science and Technology synthesize and advise the Provincial People's Committee on the annual implementation plan for scientific and technological tasks.

Making a heat-resistant cover for shrimp in Quynh Luu. Photo: Archive

Strengthening the connection between businesses and scientists in CNC application based on connecting technology supply and demand. Encouraging innovative startups in the agricultural sector, especially CNC agriculture.

Tran Quoc Thanh

(Director of Department of Science and Technology)