Local authorities actively support businesses and farmers in marketing agricultural products

Lam Dong has emerged as a front-runner among provinces in the nation, harnessing scientific breakthroughs, high technology and smart agricultural practices to revolutionize its agricultural landscape. The infusion of technological applications into production processes has not only elevated living standards but has also propelled the province's agriculture to unprecedented levels of development, catalyzing a transformation in the rural scenery.

A trailblazer in high-tech agriculture

At the forefront of this transformation is the Sunfood Da Lat General Agricultural Service Cooperative, led by Director Pham Ngoc Thach, which has entered into cooperation agreements with 433 members for the cultivation of 200 hectares of fruit and vegetable farms. Under his directorship, a steadfast commitment to integrating new modern technologies and equipment has resulted in a 40% reduction in labor costs and time. Garden maintenance, including tasks such as tending, watering, fertilizing, and environmental adjustments, is seamlessly executed through integrated software and remote control accessible on smartphones. Weekly production data is disseminated on an electronic website, offering transparent insights into the cultivation processes, sowing and harvest dates across the farms, encompassing vegetables, tubers, and fruits.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the Nam Son Agricultural Cooperative in Lien Nghia town, Duc Trong district, highlighted the cooperative's extensive farming operations covering 3,600 hectares of vegetables and fruits in Don Duong, Duc Trong, and Lam Ha districts. With 50 hectares of VietGAP standard-certified fruit and vegetable production, the cooperative harvests 5-10 tons of products daily, benefiting over 1,000 farming households, including more than 100 from ethnic minority backgrounds, ensuring a stable livelihood for all.

The Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reports a substantial increase in high-tech agriculture, encompassing 66,150 hectares, a 1.3% rise from 2022, constituting 22% of the province's cultivated area. This includes over 47,500 hectares of economically irrigated land, 180 hectares of smart imported greenhouses, 1,000 hectares of vegetable and flower production on substrates, and 630 hectares dedicated to smart and digital farming. Fourteen companies have received certification for high-tech farming, with nine areas acknowledged for meeting high-tech agricultural production criteria. By the close of 2023, the province had established 233 linked chains, with over 7,560 hectares of VietGAP and GlobalGAP-certified farming, 1,415 hectares devoted to organic production, 238 OCOP-certified products (11 at the 5-star level, 104 at the 4-star level, and 123 at the 3-star level), and 33 new cooperatives, totaling 425 agricultural cooperatives.

This surge in high-tech agricultural development has resulted in an average revenue of VND245 million per hectare annually, with high-tech agricultural revenue averaging VND450 million per hectare. High-tech and smart agricultural production now constitutes 45% of the total crop production value. Bolstered by technological applications, numerous local agricultural products have earned certified labels, become integral parts of production chains, and found markets in countries worldwide, positioning Lam Dong as a trailblazer in high-tech agriculture, smart agriculture and Agriculture 4.0 within the nation.

Hi-tech vegetable gardening

Remarkable success in the new rural development program

In tandem with the strides in high-tech agriculture, Lam Dong has achieved remarkable success in the implementation of the new rural development program. Tran Dinh Khoat, Deputy Director of the Coordination Office of the National Target Program on New Rural Development in Lam Dong province, notes that 109 out of 111 communes in the province meet new rural development standards (98.2%), with 57 communes accredited advanced new rural development standards (51.3%) and 23 communes recognized as exemplary (20%). Notably, Lam Dong is the sole province in the Central Highlands with Don Duong district meeting new rural development standards, a distinction that aligns with its participation in a project on becoming an exemplary new rural district focusing on high-tech agriculture, alongside four other districts nationwide.

In pursuit of sustainable new rural areas, Lam Dong prioritizes modernized agricultural development coupled with high-tech applications to enhance productivity and product value for long-term sustainability. By 2025, the province aims to have at least 70% of communes with cooperatives, 70% of districts with contractually linked production and consumption models for key agricultural products, and 50% of linked models integrated with digitally applied input supplies.

The impact of translating scientific and technical advancements into agricultural production extends beyond the widespread adoption of technologies, shaping a new mindset among farmers and revitalizing rural landscapes. Significant improvements in people's livelihoods, encompassing essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, are complemented by access to basic public services, including enhanced education, healthcare, and cultural amenities. Traditional cultures of ethnic groups are preserved and promoted, contributing to the overall political security, rural social order, and safety within the province.

As Lam Dong continues to pursue increased yields, the province is strategically reviewing and adjusting plans to convert inefficient rice land into highly economically effective crops and livestock. Emphasis is placed on constructing VietGAP standard-certified agricultural production areas, with concurrent facilitation for businesses to invest in this sector. Technical and technological advancements are identified as crucial prerequisites for localities to attain advanced new rural development goals, solidifying Lam Dong's commitment to pioneering sustainable agricultural practices.