How remote sensing is reshaping agriculture and environmental governance

In the context of climate change, resource degradation, and the pressure to ensure food security, integrating modern technology into agriculture and environmental management is no longer optional but a necessity. Remote sensing and AI are opening up new pathways for smarter, more proactive, and greener approaches to national planning, monitoring, and resource governance.

The digital 'eye' and 'brain' of modern agriculture and environment

If remote sensing serves as the eyes observing the Earth from afar, collecting information on soil, forests, crops, water, and climate with wide coverage and high accuracy, then AI functions as the digital brain, capable of analyzing data, recognizing patterns, forecasting risks, and providing recommendations to support decision-making.

The combination of these two technologies is creating an intelligent agricultural and environmental monitoring system that operates in real time.

Around the world, numerous successful models have demonstrated this potential. India’s FASAL program forecasts crop yields; Europe’s Copernicus monitors forests, droughts, salinity intrusion, and air quality; Indonesia monitors forest fires and oil leaks using satellite imagery combined with AI. These examples show that technology not only enables efficient resource management but also contributes to environmental protection and livelihoods.

In Vietnam, applications of remote sensing and AI in agriculture and the environment are beginning to yield tangible results. A notable example is the Forestry Management Information System (FORMIS), a Vietnam-Finland collaboration for collecting, storing, and managing nationwide forest data. FORMIS integrates remote sensing, GIS, and spatial databases, helping monitor forest changes, land use planning, and plantation activities, and supporting decision-making from the central to the local levels.

Several scientific studies have also made significant contributions, such as the inland water quality monitoring project using remote sensing and AI by PSG’s Dr. Pham Quang Vinh, or research on land cover classification using deep convolutional neural networks by Associate Professor Dr. Bui Quang Thanh and colleagues. Additionally, the satellite-based fisheries vessel monitoring system (VMS/AIS) combined with AI by the Directorate of Fisheries has helped detect violations, control exploitation, and support traceability of exported seafood.

Although still in its early stages, these results affirm Vietnam’s capacity to access and apply technology in resource and environmental management.

Challenges on the path to green digital transformation

The biggest challenge today is the lack of a consistent legal framework for the use and sharing of remote sensing and AI data. Many technical standards and national regulations have not kept pace with rapid technological developments, creating difficulties for businesses and management agencies in practical implementation.

Data infrastructure and computing capacity are also bottlenecks. Data centers remain dispersed and poorly connected; cloud computing and big data processing capabilities are limited and mainly concentrated in central agencies. In addition, interdisciplinary human resources are thin, remote sensing specialists often have limited knowledge of AI, while AI experts lack expertise in geography, environment, and agriculture.

Another barrier lies in investment and financial policies. Current projects mainly rely on state budgets, are small-scale, lack connectivity, and lack a long-term vision. There is no clear mechanism to encourage socialization, public-private partnerships, or risk-and-benefit sharing between the government and enterprises.

Data integration - knowledge synergy - international cooperation

According to the National Remote Sensing Department, to effectively harness the potential of remote sensing and AI, four major groups of solutions need to be implemented simultaneously:

Building an integrated, interoperable, and secure data platform. This is a prerequisite for establishing an intelligent agriculture and environmental monitoring system. Technical standards, sharing protocols, and information security mechanisms must be established to allow data from ministries, sectors, and localities to be connected and utilized efficiently.

Developing interdisciplinary human resources, including training personnel who understand remote sensing, AI, and resource management. Strengthening links between universities, research institutes, and enterprises will help form a pool of experts with both scientific foundations and applied skills.

Improving the legal framework and investment mechanisms. Review and update regulations on big data, AI, and open data sharing; introduce incentives for research and technology testing; and promote public-private partnerships in the application of remote sensing and AI for environmental and agricultural management.

Expanding international cooperation and technology transfer, by participating more deeply in global programs, networks, and standards on remote sensing and AI; learning from international experience and adopting advanced technologies to bridge the gap with developed countries.

The application of remote sensing and AI not only helps increase productivity and optimize cultivation but also serves as an effective tool for monitoring environmental quality, issuing disaster warnings, reducing emissions, and conserving natural resources. This forms the foundation for green agriculture, a green economy, and sustainable environmental management.

On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of Agriculture and Environment Day and the 1st National Emulation Congress, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is organizing a series of events from July to December 2025. The centerpiece is the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the agriculture and environment sector and the 1st National Emulation Congress, held on the morning of November 12, 2025, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, with over 1,200 delegates in attendance. VAN News will broadcast the event.