In a recent interview with Vietnam Economic News’ Ngoc Hoa, Chu Thi Thanh Xuan, Deputy Director of the Dien Bien Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, shed light on the province’s innovative approach to high-tech agriculture and its commitment to supporting ethnic minorities in this sector.
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| Chu Thi Thanh Xuan, Deputy Director, shares her insights on Dien Bien’s agricultural advancements – photo: Ngoc Hoa |
Despite lacking natural advantages for agricultural development, Dien Bien has successfully established several high-tech agricultural chains in ethnic minority areas. How did the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development achieve these impressive results?
With limited arable land and increasing demand for high-quality agricultural products, Dien Bien recognized the importance of embracing high technology in agricultural production. As a mountainous province, Dien Bien has a total natural land area of 954,125.06 hectares, of which a significant portion is dedicated to agriculture and forestry. To enhance productivity and product quality, the agricultural sector harnessed the potential of soil and climate while mobilizing resources from various programs and projects, along with community participation. As a result, Dien Bien’s high-tech agriculture has achieved several milestones:
Crop Production: Dien Bien has implemented advanced agricultural processes that meet international certifications such as Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP), Global Good Agricultural Practice (GlobalGAP), organic production, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). The province boasts a certified organic agricultural area of 8.5 hectares, including tea and fruit trees. In 2024, the area certified under GlobalGAP and VietGAP reached 13 hectares. Additionally, several coffee and tea processing facilities have obtained HACCP certification.
High Technology Implementation: Dien Bien has adopted cutting-edge techniques, including closed-system cultivation of Spirulina algae, tissue culture technology for Cordyceps sinensis propagation, hydroponic recirculating vegetable farming, drip irrigation, and automated irrigation for fruit trees and vegetables. These methods ensure efficient water usage and enhance productivity.
Safe Agricultural Supply Chains: The province currently has 31 active safe agricultural supply chains, many incorporating high technology. Notable examples include the organic vegetable supply chain of the Si Pa Phin high-tech agricultural cooperative and the hydroponic vegetable supply chain of Hoa Ba Supermarket. Additionally, Dien Bien offers VietGAP-certified tea, internationally organic-certified ancient tea varieties, and HACCP-certified coffee chains.
Livestock and Aquaculture: Dien Bien is home to two large-scale pig farms, employing closed barn models and collaborating with leading companies to produce high-quality commercial pork under VietGAHP standards. These farms have also adopted manure separation technology, contributing to cost reduction and environmental protection. In aquaculture, organizations and individuals have utilized water surfaces from irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs for cage fish farming, with a total volume of 67,159 cubic meters. High-value fish species such as monosex tilapia, American catfish, and sturgeon are intensively farmed using advanced techniques.
Forestry Management: Dien Bien has utilized remote sensing GIS technology for satellite image analysis, enabling efficient forest change detection and monitoring. The province has also implemented support software and drones for enhanced forest patrol and inspection. An automated forest fire warning system provides timely alerts, and the use of Planet satellite imagery helps proactively address suspected deforestation points.
Irrigation and Water Management: Dien Bien has installed 20 automatic rain gauges for early warnings of natural disasters. The province promotes digital transformation in water supply infrastructure management and reservoir safety through real-time monitoring and specialized software. Additionally, high technology has been applied to water-saving irrigation models across 350 hectares, ensuring efficient water usage and minimizing waste.
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| High-tech agriculture brings tangible benefits to ethnic minority communities in Dien Bien – illustration photo |
How have national target programs supported ethnic minorities in production development, and what impact have these models had on their livelihoods?
The Dien Bien Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment has effectively utilized funding from national target programs to support the development of key crops and livestock. Under their guidance, the province has implemented 448 support activities for production development, with a focus on value chain-linked and community-based approaches. These projects have benefited thousands of households and involved the participation of businesses and cooperatives. The application of high technology in production has resulted in positive outcomes, as seen in the successful macadamia and cinnamon projects. Disbursed funds have created a ripple effect, encouraging active community participation and contributing to sustainable development.
The supported crops and livestock have leveraged local potential, aligned with the agricultural restructuring strategy, and provided stable livelihoods for ethnic minority and mountainous communities. The average per capita income in Dien Bien Province has increased to approximately VND2.2 million per month, a 9% rise from 2022. However, addressing multidimensional poverty remains a priority, with a rate of 33.25% in 2024.
High-tech agricultural models have enhanced productivity and product quality. Advanced vegetable and fruit farming techniques, coupled with smart irrigation methods, boost yields, reduce pests, and ensure stable incomes for farmers. Modern livestock farming models, such as closed-system pig farming and cage fish farming, minimize disease risks and improve economic efficiency. Additionally, the focus on sustainable development through organic fertilizers, biological pesticides, and efficient water resource management protects the environment and ensures long-term livelihoods for local communities.
Dien Bien’s agricultural products, including rice, macadamia, coffee, tea, and medicinal herbs, have gained recognition for their quality and strong branding. These products have not only increased economic value but also fostered local pride. Moving forward, the agricultural sector will continue to propose advanced production solutions, collaborate with organizations to promote locally-strengthened agriculture, and maximize financial resources from national programs to develop export-oriented crops and livestock.
To ensure long-term success, continued investment in infrastructure, skill training, and financial support are crucial to help farmers embrace and sustain high-tech agricultural models effectively.
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