Digital transformation in irrigation management begins with forecasting

On October 17, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Water Works Management and Construction, in collaboration with the Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper, organized the Forum titled “Science, Technology, and Digital Transformation in the Management and Operation of Irrigation Works in line with Resolution 57.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dam, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Irrigation Management and Service Company Limited (IMC), since 2005, the city’s irrigation sector has entered a phase of strong application of modern science and technology, with the development and expansion of the SCADA system as a major highlight. This system enables more intuitive and accurate monitoring and operation of irrigation and drainage activities, marking a shift from qualitative to quantitative management, thereby optimizing water resources and reducing costs.

At the same time, IMC has developed a comprehensive database of irrigation structures and specialized software applications based on digital data, IoT, and SCADA platforms. The system not only ensures complete and accurate data collection and storage but also connects directly with the shared databases of the City and neighboring provinces, forming an integrated water management data network.

“Thanks to automated control tools, operation time has been shortened and labor efficiency has increased significantly. SCADA monitoring stations continuously update data on water levels and tides, enabling the management unit to proactively develop operation scenarios, issue early warnings, and minimize potential damage to people and property,” Director Dam emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Tung Phong, Director General of the Department of Water Works Management and Construction, emphasized that to apply technology effectively, the irrigation sector must make a strong shift from predictive thinking to concrete actions. The application of technologies such as SCADA or automatic sluice gate systems must go hand in hand with operational and managerial practices to ensure resilience and adaptability to natural disasters.

“Digital transformation must start from forecasting, investment mindset, and operation management to the development and exploitation of shared databases. First and foremost, it is necessary to strengthen capacity and raise awareness of digital transformation across the sector; and to improve the reliability and accuracy of forecasting, especially amid increasingly complex climate change.

In terms of infrastructure, I believe that investment in developing smart irrigation must align with multi-functional objectives - serving agricultural production, domestic water supply, disaster prevention, and environmental protection. This process should not stop at the initial investment phase but must also be maintained post-investment to ensure consistency and effectiveness. At the same time, it is essential to enhance human resource quality by training engineers and operators with digital skills,” he noted.

In the coming time, the Department of Water Works Management and Construction will coordinate with the Department of Digital Transformation to develop a system of standards and technical regulations, and to complete a comprehensive, accurate database that is ready for two-way data sharing between central and local levels.

“In addition, relevant ministries, sectors, and localities need to work in close coordination to establish a smart, adaptive, and sustainable irrigation system in the digital era,” Director General Phong emphasized.

In the coming time, IMC will propose completing the SCADA system for all irrigation works, both in scope and depth. The focus will be on developing optimal irrigation operation management software for the Dong Cu Chi canal system to control and optimize water resources, enhance efficiency, and increase the value of water use under the impacts of climate change.

“We will continue to research and develop software for forecasting and simulating the operation of structures under the influence of tides, floods, droughts, and salinity; and promote the application of IoT and AI in management and operation. The irrigation works database will be linked with the City’s digital transformation program, aiming toward the goal of building a smart city by 2030,” Director Dam added.

Training and capacity building for staff and operators of the SCADA system are also being prioritized to meet the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

IMC’s leadership proposed that relevant ministries, sectors, and the City authorities continue to pay attention to and issue mechanisms and policies that encourage and support investment in digital transformation and the application of science and technology in the irrigation sector. At the same time, a sector-wide digital transformation framework strategy is needed to ensure consistency, synchronization, and effectiveness in implementation.