Fostering Hi-Tech Agricultural Development

Promoting Party viewpoints on agriculture as a pillar of the economy, the Khanh Hoa agricultural sector has always upheld the principle of "agriculture as the foundation". It aims to develop chain-linked agriculture, high-tech agriculture, organic agriculture, associated with processing and consumption markets and agricultural product branding.

From significant figures…

In 2023, Khanh Hoa's agriculture accounted for 11% of the province's GDP and grew by 4.35%. Particularly, agronomy climbed 3.61% and fisheries looked up 4.98%. Notably, agricultural scale is not large relative in the country. Crop area, livestock population and aquaculture area are not too large, but Khanh Hoa has unique agricultural products, highly appreciated by consumers, such as bird's nest, lobster, sea snail, durian and garlic. Regarding this issue, Mr. Nguyen Duy Quang, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Khanh Hoa province, emphasized: “Khanh Hoa is directing focus on increasing the value of agricultural products, not chasing after output”.

Khanh Hoa province is finalizing its pilot project on high-tech marine aquaculture and is preparing to submit it the Prime Minister for approval

Specifically, Khanh Hoa province currently has over 91,000 ha of crop area. The mango area covers 8,258.7 ha, including 7,189 ha of reproductive area. In Cam Lam district, mango growers form VietGAP-certified production groups in communes, with some areas certified with export codes. Durian is grown on 2,734 ha, including 1,570 ha fruitful areas. In Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh districts, cooperatives have been formed to produce durian and granted growing area codes for export to other countries through official channels.

In addition, grapefruit is planted on 1,418 ha, mainly green-skin grapefruit. The crop is largely grown in Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh districts. Some areas have been granted VietGAP certification and 3-star OCOP certification. Grapefruit growing cooperatives have been formed in these localities. Currently, the province has been granted 37 export growing area codes for a total area of 4,426 ha growing such crops as mango, durian and rice; and 23 domestic growing area codes for a total area of about 82 ha of mango, coconut, pineapple, grapefruit, rice, vegetables, garlic and other crops. The province also has obtained three packaging facility codes, including two mango packaging codes and one durian packaging code.

In livestock husbandry, all farms apply technologies to farming, prevent and control diseases, save feed, reduce manual labor, improve productivity and product quality. Besides, the province has gradually restructured fisheries, reshuffled fishing boat fleets, developed offshore fishing resources, and improved offshore fishing output and management. The One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program has produced good results, with typical products like sea grapes, dried durian, dried mango, fishcakes, bird's nest and agarwood. By the end of 2023, Khanh Hoa province had 201 OCOP products certified 3-star class or higher, including 182 products of 3-star class, 18 products of 4-star class and a product proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for recognition of 5-star class.

Developing tech-based chains

To make these achievements, the province has constantly focused on developing chain-based high-tech organic agriculture with multi-layer values and building Khanh Hoa agricultural brand together with carrying out the New Rural Development Program, he said. To date, the province has 65 out of 92 communes (accounting for 70.6%) recognized to meet new rural development standards, with 19 communes certified to achieve advanced new rural development standards (20.6%). No communes have fewer than 10 criteria met. On average, a commune fulfils 16.8 new rural development criteria. By the end of 2024, the province expects 73 out of 92 communes (79.3%) to satisfy new rural development standards, with 32 communes (34.8%) accredited to reach advanced new rural development standards and two communes (2.2%) certified to meet model new rural development standards. No communes fulfill fewer than 13 criteria. On average, a commune meets 17 new rural development criteria. Van Ninh and Dien Khanh districts will be recognized to satisfy new rural development standards. Nha Trang City and Cam Ranh City will complete new rural development standards.

In addition, strongly applying advanced technologies and new material technologies to develop marine aquaculture and transform agricultural production in 2021 - 2025 is one of key tasks of the province. To tap existing advantages, Khanh Hoa always pays attention to investing and applying science and technology in agricultural production together with agricultural restructuring towards increasing added value and sustainable development. Currently, the province is completing the “pilot project on developing high-tech marine aquaculture in Khanh Hoa” and submitting it to the Prime Minister for approval.

In the coming time, the agricultural sector will continue to call on enterprises to make strong investments in processing development and safe agricultural products for consumption and export. Special priority will be given to advanced technologies, environmentally friendly technologies that are safe for consumption and export. In particular, the sector will improve the quality of human resources, train and develop agricultural experts, technicians and workers.

The role of agriculture as the "pillar of the economy" has been increasingly affirmed. With innovative thinking, effort and consensus of the government, people and businesses, Khanh Hoa will certainly continue to increase the added value of each agricultural product. On the path to sustainable agriculture, the role of science and technology is vital.

By Phuong Hien, Vietnam Business Forum