At last week’s forum on adoption of sci-tech and innovation towards sustainable agricultural development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) highlighted that it contributes around 35 per cent to agricultural product value.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said, “Vietnam has oriented itself to become a country that produces and supplies food in a transparent, responsible, and sustainable manner. The country will continue to transform the food system towards green, low-emission, and sustainable development, promoting the application of sci-tech and innovation in agricultural production, expanding public-private partnerships, and accelerating the application of digital technologies in agricultural value chains.”

In the first nine months of 2023, agro-forestry-fishery exports reached $38.48 billion, of which, cultivation hit $19.54 billion, accounting for about half of the export value of the agricultural sector. Last year, Vietnam’s exports reached $53.4 billion, an increase of 9.7 per cent on-year, of which cultivation products reached $22.6 billion, up 5.1 per cent.

Tien highlighted the role and contribution of science and technology to these outcomes. Over the past three years, scientists have researched and created almost 150 plant varieties and 36 technical advances to increase productivity and product quality to ensure domestic consumption and export.

“Science and technology continue to be key in the Fourth Industrial Revolution that is taking place strongly around the world,” Tien said. “Thanks to sci-tech, the growth rate of the agricultural sector is maintained at a high level, contributing to maintaining the overall growth of the whole country.”

C.P. Vietnam

In production and husbandry, C.P. Vietnam (CPV) is investing in the most modern and high-technology factories across the country. In the southern province of Binh Phuoc, CPV Food’s factory complex must ensure the traceability of the whole supply chain from materials to food processing, and carry out world-class manufacturing practices to meet the strict standards of exporting markets.

“Science and technology contribute to the success of the factory and its closed production chain to deliver thousands of tonnes of chicken to developed countries,” said CPV president Montri Suwanposri.

The entire supply chain at CPV Food Binh Phuoc is 100 per cent traceable from ingredients to processed products and is equipped with synchronous solutions to meet the environment and animal welfare requirements of advanced importing countries.

The complex applies advanced technology, safe production, and first-class processing methods. Meanwhile, the application of AI and big data in management and production enhances productivity and the quality of products, improves competitiveness with reasonable prices, and promotes sustainability.

“There are technologies that we are applying for the very first time in our global operations at Binh Phuoc to improve productivity, product quality, and competitiveness while keeping prices reasonable. It will also help us achieve the sustainable development of exporting and livestock operations,” Suwanposri added.

Ralph Bean, a representative of the US Embassy in Vietnam, said at last week’s forum that innovation raises agricultural productivity, in the context that climate change and epidemics are posing numerous unprecedented risks. Food security is a constant concern in feeding the world’s growing population, as well as ensuring equitable access to nutrition and food at affordable prices.

“Improvements in crop varieties, animals, input materials, biotechnology, automatic identification, and digitalisation are key for farmers to adapt effectively with surrounding conditions, raising high agricultural productivity with improved quality and nutritional content,” Bean emphasised.

In addition, Bean added, biological solutions also have great potential to create a revolution in the agricultural system to create diverse, nutritious food sources at reasonable prices, as well as reduce emissions and pressure on natural resources.

“Tech solutions give us unprecedented opportunities to increase productivity through the digitalisation of resource management, promoting sustainable practices. AI can create an efficient, transparent, and highly adaptable food system,” he stated.

Nguyen Giang Thu, deputy director general at the MARD’s Science, Technology, and Environment Department said, “Science and technology is expected to contribute over half to the total growth of the agricultural sector. We should mobilise all investment resources, especially in high technology,” Thu said.