Advanced water-saving irrigation: A strategic solution for upland agriculture

On December 29, in Buon Ma Thuot Ward, Dak Lak Province, the Department of Hydraulic Works Management and Construction (DWMG), in coordination with Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper and the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, organized the forum "Research and application of strategic technologies in the development of advanced, water-saving irrigation for upland crops in support of smart agriculture, climate change adaptation, and contribution to water security in the South central coast and central highlands". 

Sharing the significance of the Forum, Mr. Vu Minh Viet, VAN News Deputy Editor-in-Chief stated that "South Central Coast and Central Highlands play a particularly important role in the development of commodity agriculture, especially for key upland crops". 

However, this region is also heavily affected by climate change, with increasingly severe droughts, water shortages, and declines in surface and groundwater resources. This reality creates an urgent need to innovate thinking, management approaches, and water use in agriculture toward efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability.

In the context of transitioning to smart and ecological agriculture, research and application of advanced, water-saving irrigation technologies for upland crops are not only technical solutions but also strategic ones, contributing to improved productivity and product quality, reduced production costs, and protection of water resources and ecosystems, Mr. Vu Minh Viet emphasized.

Forum provides an opportunity for management agencies, scientists, enterprises, localities, and producers to exchange and share experiences, research results, practical models, and new technological solutions in advanced, water-saving irrigation.

It also serves as a platform to propose mechanisms, policies, investment orientations, and cooperation to promote the widespread application of effective solutions suited to the specific conditions of the South Central Coast and Central Highlands.

The application of AI in smart irrigation is among the most important uses of artificial intelligence in smart agriculture. These systems utilize various types of data and sensors, such as soil moisture sensors and weather data, to monitor crop water requirements. Machine learning algorithms then process, analyze, and forecast water needs and irrigation demand, helping to develop more accurate irrigation procedures and plans in real time, delivering precisely the amount of water crops need at the right time by minimizing under- or over-irrigation. 

Mr. Doan Phuc Cuong, an agricultural expert from Netafim at Khang Thinh Irrigation Technology Joint Stock Company, noted that even when farmers are fully equipped with controlled irrigation systems, this represents only one part of the digital application process. The core objective is to leverage knowledge and technological advances in production through digital control systems to achieve higher yields and quality, improve production efficiency, reduce resource extraction, and minimize negative environmental impacts.

From local practice, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Head of the Dak Lak Provincial Sub-Department of Irrigation, reported that Dak Lak currently has approximately 84,661.80 hectares of upland crops under advanced, water-saving irrigation, mainly high-value industrial crops such as coffee and pepper, fruit trees including durian, orange, and mandarin, as well as annual crops such as sweet potatoes and vegetables. These technologies have attracted investment and adoption by enterprises, agricultural service cooperatives, and farmers.

However, the investment cost for advanced, water-saving irrigation systems for upland crops is relatively high, about VND 50 - 60 million per hectare. Volatile agricultural commodity prices make it difficult for farmers to mobilize the required capital. Access to policy and regulatory documents remains limited for grassroots irrigation organizations and individual members, including access to financial resources, and relevant mechanisms and policies have not been widely disseminated to organizations and individuals.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dak Lak Province proposes a set of solutions on mechanisms, policies, and mobilization of socialized investment resources for advanced, water-saving irrigation. These include prioritizing the integration of funding from programs and projects such as the National Target Program on New Rural Development, the Sustainable Agriculture Development Program, the Climate Change Adaptation Program, and ODA projects to support investment in water storage infrastructure and advanced, water-saving irrigation systems for key upland crops.

The province also encourages socialization and the attraction of enterprises, cooperatives, and economic organizations to invest and engage in production linkages associated with the application of advanced, water-saving irrigation technologies, gradually forming sustainable agricultural value chains. It proposes studying preferential credit mechanisms and interest rate reductions for farmers and cooperatives investing in advanced, water-saving irrigation systems, especially in concentrated production areas for key upland crops.