Thai Nguyen concentrates on eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural domain

Thai Nguyen province, located in northern Vietnam, is embarking on an ambitious journey towards modernising and professionalising its agriculture. Established in 2023, seven cooperative associations have been set up with an initial capital of approximately 5 billion VND each, playing a pivotal role in linking production, forming value chains from production to consumption, and providing better support for members.

The province is implementing the "One million green, digital, and sustainable farmers by 2030" programme, a comprehensive initiative aimed at training farmers in sustainable production techniques and technology application. This programme is part of Thai Nguyen's broader objective to restructure its agriculture towards minimising environmental impacts, enhancing climate change resilience, promoting a circular economy, and improving social welfare.

Over 160,000 agricultural households in Thai Nguyen have embraced this digital revolution, with accounts on e-commerce platforms and more than 2,000 agricultural products listed. This digital shift has led to a 20-50% increase in sales revenue.

Thai Nguyen is developing commercial-scale, concentrated green agricultural production zones, such as clean tea regions, organic fruit zones, biological livestock areas, and clean aquaculture zones. These production zones adopt new technologies and strictly adhere to environmental and food safety standards, using biological and organic products instead of chemical alternatives.

Digital technology in agriculture not only enhances the quantity, quality, and value of agricultural products but also helps Thai Nguyen's products position their brands in both domestic and international markets. The province is focusing on deep processing and product diversification to increase value, reduce reliance on fresh produce sales, and expand markets through a "one product, multiple segments" strategy, targeting demanding markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan.

The development of a digital agricultural product model opens new opportunities for exports and online consumption in Thai Nguyen. Enterprises and cooperatives in Thai Nguyen have led the way in building green value chains, applying technology to environmental protection, and producing clean products.

By 2030, Thai Nguyen aims to have 80% of agricultural products meet VietGAP, GlobalGAP, or organic standards, 100% of concentrated production zones digitised and managed with technology, a 30% reduction in chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilisers, 100% of agricultural waste reused or treated to meet standards, and 50% of farmers trained in green farming techniques and digitalised production.

Digitalisation of production processes and the transfer of scientific and technological advancements have been implemented in various forms, including crop production, livestock farming, forestry, irrigation, and administrative reform. Many farmers in Thai Nguyen have transitioned from using chemical fertilisers and pesticides to using microbial fertilisers, herbal pesticides, on-site organic composting, and other eco-friendly practices.

The Thai Nguyen Agricultural Product Quality Management System, Planting Area Code Information System, and Online Disease Information System are large-scale digital applications implemented in Thai Nguyen's agriculture. Online and e-commerce platform sales account for 30% of total revenue for agricultural entities in Thai Nguyen.

As Thai Nguyen commemorates the 80th anniversary of National Day at the National Achievements Exhibition, its agricultural sector stands as a testament to the province's commitment to progress and sustainability. With its seven cooperative unions boasting a total registered capital of approximately VND40 billion ($1.6 million), Thai Nguyen is well on its way to achieving its green, digital, and sustainable agricultural goals. As of now, the province has 561 OCOP (One Commune, One Product) items rated three stars or higher, including 438 three-star products, 113 four-star products, and 10 five-star OCOP products.