High-tech agriculture drives green economy

Catching the digital wave

Standing in his over 4,000 square meter farm, which grows a variety of vegetables, Mr. Nguyen Tan Phuong, Director of Afarm High-Tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company (in Hoa Vang commune), passionately speaks about his dream of clean agriculture. Eight years ago, captivated by the high-tech agriculture model, Phuong decided to leave Saigon and return to Da Nang to open the farm, naming it Afarm.

What sets Afarm apart from others is its “Farm on Smartphone” model. As an IT engineer, Phuong personally designed the software for his farm. He states that thanks to the application of high technology, the farm only requires about 10 workers, with one person capable of managing several thousand square meters. Utilizing the Farm on Smartphone app, users can remotely issue commands for everything from planting and irrigation to harvesting.

Every process at Afarm is automatically connected and controlled, strictly adhering to the "four no's" principle: no pesticides, no use of genetically modified seeds, no growth stimulants, and no toxic chemicals. Customers can also gain confidence in the product quality by directly experiencing the process from planting and caring to harvesting.

“By growing hydroponically in a net house, we minimize pests and the impact of weather, allowing the garden to yield 2 to 3 times the productivity of traditional methods", Phuong shared.

Thanks to its superior quality, Afarm's leafy greens and cantaloupes have achieved OCOP 4-star status and are available in major supermarket chains, including Co.opmart, LotteMart, VinMart, and BRG Group. On average, the farm supplies about 1.5 tons of vegetables to the market monthly, generating annual revenue of over 3 billion VND and creating stable jobs for many local workers.

Beyond cultivation, livestock farming in Da Nang is also undergoing a strong transformation. Binh Minh Chicken Farm (in Thu Bon commune) is a pioneer in digitalizing management. The company has invested in modern equipment, automating everything from data logging and feed control to output products. Managers can monitor temperature, humidity, and water supply parameters simply using a smartphone, without needing to be physically present at the farm. Notably, customers can scan a QR code on the eggshell to trace the entire production process. This approach not only enhances transparency but also affirms quality and food safety.

Mr. Ho Van Phuc, Chairman of the Hoa Vang Communal People’s Committee, noted that applying high technology in production plays a crucial role in developing sustainable agriculture and improving farmers’ incomes. Beyond reducing pesticide use and protecting the ecological environment, these models also adapt to climate change, enhance agricultural product quality, and ensure food safety. The economic efficiency of high-tech agriculture has been clearly demonstrated.

“Currently, Hoa Vang commune is inheriting and promoting the models already implemented, while also reviewing them for continued deployment under new guidelines. Moving forward, the commune will focus on mobilizing resources and attracting investors to support the expansion of high-tech agricultural models", Phuc emphasized.

According to the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the city has issued multiple incentive policies to encourage farmers to boldly invest in high-tech applications. Agricultural production households applying high technology in flowers, vegetables, and livestock farming are supported with up to 50% of the cost for modern machinery and equipment (not exceeding 2 billion VND per project). Furthermore, the city subsidizes half the cost of installing water-saving irrigation and misting systems, and provides preferential loans.

Thanks to these policies, the city's agriculture achieved comprehensive results during the 2020-2025 period. The structure of crops and livestock shifted towards greater productivity and efficiency; mechanization and digitalization were boosted; and high-tech application models continued to expand.

Prominent models in Hoa Vang, Dai Loc, Hiep Duc, and Thang Binh have uniformly adopted modern technologies such as hydroponics in net houses, automatic irrigation systems, environmental sensors, and digitalized production software. This has led to lower input costs, higher product quality, and reduced environmental pollution and farming risks. Specifically, linking agriculture with experiential tourism and ecological education has created new added value, offering dual benefits for both production and local promotion.

Simultaneously, Da Nang is orienting the development of green, clean, organic urban agriculture, integrating it with tourism, culture, and community. This approach not only expands the role of urban agriculture but also contributes to shaping a sustainable lifestyle, promoting green consumption, and raising environmental awareness within society.

High-tech agriculture is a livelihood foundation

Mr. Pham Nam Son, Director of the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that developing high-tech agriculture in tandem with sectoral restructuring is a crucial orientation, consistent with the spirit of Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022, of the 13th Party Central Committee on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas up to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

With agricultural land accounting for 85.8% of the city’s total natural area (over 1 million hectares), Da Nang has all the conditions necessary for a strong transition, building a modern, efficient agriculture sector that drives the development of the green economy, circular economy, and new rural areas.

According to Son, as agriculture shifts towards modern, green, and sustainable practices, the city has identified high-tech, smart, and ecological agriculture as a strategic pillar. Da Nang will focus on forming smart agricultural production zones that integrate production, logistics, and digital transformation; and accelerate the application of technologies such as IoT, AI, and blockchain in cultivation management, environmental monitoring, and product traceability.

The city also encourages the development of “digital agriculture, open agriculture” models, creating connections between farmers, businesses, and research institutes across the entire production-consumption chain.

Moving forward, Da Nang will prioritize deploying high-tech agricultural zones in Hiep Duc, Thang Binh, Tam Ky, Duy Xuyen, Nui Thanh, and Chu Lai, while resolving bottlenecks to swiftly launch the Tam Anh Industrial-Agricultural Center invested in by Truong Hai Group. Concurrently, the city is identifying and investing in high-quality rice cultivation areas, promoting organic and intensive farming, along with synchronized technical infrastructure.

It can be affirmed that the merger of Quang Nam and Da Nang is a strategic turning point, opening up vast inter-regional development space. In the context of transitioning the growth model towards green, circular, and digital approaches, high-tech agriculture will continue to serve as the foundation for livelihoods, the pillar for environmental protection and cultural identity, and the driving force for the city’s sustainable economic development in the new era.