Digital technology is the key driver transforming the face of agriculture

The Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW underscores that the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation constitutes a top strategic breakthrough and the key driving force for rapidly advancing modern productive capacities, completing production relations, renewing national governance, fostering socio-economic development, preventing the risk of falling behind, and enabling the country to achieve transformative, sustainable growth in the new era.

The Resolution will create strong momentum for rapid, sustainable agricultural growth, enhance competitiveness, and address environmental challenges. It encourages the adoption of advanced technologies and the development of green, circular agriculture, helping to minimize negative environmental impacts, restore soil health, and protect public well-being.

To provide clearer insights into this issue, a reporter from the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper spoke with Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Duc, Rector of the University of Agriculture and Forestry (Hue University).

What do you consider the greatest opportunity that Resolution 57 brings to the agricultural sector? What is the current potential for applying science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam’s agricultural production, in your view?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Duc: Agriculture serves as a fundamental pillar of the economy, a conclusion grounded in both theory and practice. Advancing scientific and technological innovation and promoting digital transformation in agriculture are essential to achieving sustainable agricultural and environmental development, driving breakthroughs in both quantity and quality, increasing value, and contributing more significantly to the national economy.

The greatest opportunity that Resolution 57 offers the agricultural sector lies in creating strong incentives and mechanisms, particularly in financial resources and technical infrastructure, for research institutions. This provides an enabling environment for generating high-value agricultural products that deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits for the country.

Viet Nam’s agricultural sector is undergoing a transition from traditional mindsets to an agricultural economy, embracing high-tech, smart, circular, and green agriculture, in which the scientific and technological content embedded in products has improved significantly.

However, considerable untapped potential remains to drive more robust and breakthrough development, particularly through the application of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, IoT, sensors, automation, gene technologies, robotics, UAVs, big data, and blockchain. All segments of the value chain can achieve transformative progress through technology and digital transformation, from production and processing to consumption and agricultural environmental management.

What challenges and obstacles is the agricultural sector currently facing in applying technology and advancing digital transformation?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Duc: At present, the application of technology and digital transformation in agriculture and the environment is encountering several barriers, including high costs, limited access to funding, inadequate and inconsistent technical infrastructure, fragmented production, and a workforce that does not fully meet sectoral demands. There is also a shortage of leading experts to serve as focal points, and the linkage among the “three stakeholders” (the State, enterprises, and scientists) has yet to operate effectively. Existing policies remain insufficiently robust to generate breakthroughs in research, technology transfer, and commercialization; moreover, research and transfer activities continue to face financial and procedural constraints.

Human resources are a critical factor, and currently the greatest bottleneck. Farmers, in particular, have not fully transitioned away from traditional mindsets; many are hesitant to change, slow to adopt innovations, and not yet ready to take on technological risks. Their digital competencies also remain limited.

In addition, the pool of digital technology experts is still relatively small and has yet to generate major breakthroughs in high-tech applications. Many research outcomes remain confined to laboratory prototypes and have not been widely applied or proven effective in real-world production.

In practice, where are the weaknesses in the linkage between enterprises, scientists, the State, and farmers, and how should they be addressed?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Duc: The linkage among enterprises, scientists, the State, and farmers has seen many positive and effective developments. The State plays a facilitative role, establishing mechanisms and policies; scientists conduct research and technology transfer; enterprises implement production and commercialization; and farmers both supply inputs and benefit from the results of agricultural production and business.

However, for this linkage to become truly strong and effective, the roles of all stakeholders need to be enhanced in several areas. The State should develop coherent policies on finance, land, science and technology, trade promotion, and infrastructure upgrading. Enterprises need to build trust with both farmers and scientists and collaborate to invest in research and apply technology in practice. Scientists need to adopt a more demand-driven approach, conducting research based on enterprise needs (through a commissioned research mechanism), and coordinating piloting, production, and commercialization.

So, to implement the spirit of Resolution 57, which breakthroughs should the agricultural and environmental sectors focus on in the near future?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Duc: First, it is essential to develop an effective communication program to change the awareness and mindset of all stakeholders regarding the “four-party” cooperation model: the State, scientists/universities, enterprises, and farmers. This includes shifting the mindset in agricultural production toward digital, smart, and circular agriculture that can adapt to environmental changes.

Second, attention should be given to investing in research and transferring core agricultural technologies, such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, gene technology, biotechnology, big data, blockchain, precision agriculture, microbial technology, bio-products, and IoT.

Third, support is needed for agricultural and environmental higher education institutions to develop excellent training programs that build a digital agricultural workforce capable of meeting new demands. Adequate investment should also be provided to support strong research groups advancing high-tech research and applications in agriculture and the environment.

How do you expect Viet Nam’s agricultural landscape to change by 2030 thanks to digital transformation and innovation?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Duc: Resolution 57 will take time to be fully implemented and to generate significant changes. The period up to 2030 will be a critical phase for the State, enterprises, farmers, and scientists to implement breakthrough, focused, and strategic solutions to achieve the key objectives set out in the Resolution.

With this renewed momentum, I am confident that Viet Nam’s agricultural landscape will witness numerous breakthroughs. Modern agriculture will gradually replace traditional practices, digital agriculture will play a central role, and the “digital force”, including digital farmers, digital enterprises, a digital government, and digital scientists, will become a key driver in transforming the agricultural sector.

Thank you very much!