Keeping agriculture intact in the digital era

From policy to concrete action

In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), digital transformation has emerged as an unavoidable trend and a groundbreaking solution for socio-economic development. Lang Son province has consistently ranked among the top provinces nationwide for several years, receiving recognition in the Top Industry 4.0 and numerous technology application awards, and has identified digital transformation as a critical focus, seizing this opportunity.

The agricultural and environmental sector, which is a critical element of the province's economic framework, has promptly adopted this new trend. The Department of Agriculture and Environment is synchronizing the deployment of solutions to establish a digital government, a digital economy, and a digital society by implementing Resolution 49-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee and Plan 226/KH-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee on digital transformation, etc.

According to the Lang Son Department of Agriculture and Environment, 100% of officials and employees are using the VNPT-iOffice electronic document management system. They are digitally signing documents and completing work online. This endeavor enhances transparency, reduces costs, and saves time.

The Department's public service portal provides 216 administrative procedures, with over 90% of files being resolved on time or ahead of schedule. Contributing to the modernization of the administrative system and enhancing service quality, citizens and businesses can submit applications, monitor progress, and receive results online without the necessity of multiple journeys.

The digital economy is regarded as a critical pillar in conjunction with the digital governance. To facilitate the onboarding of numerous agricultural products onto e-commerce platforms, the Department has partnered with local authorities and businesses. In 2024, nearly 50,000 successful transactions were the consequence of over 20,000 of the province's products being present on digital platforms such as Postmart and Voso.

Signature OCOP products, including Chi Lang custard apples, Khuyen ring-shaped persimmons, and Dinh Lap tea, are not only extensively consumed domestically but are also generating export opportunities. The utilization of QR codes for electronic payments, digital commerce applications, and traceability enhances the value of products, guarantees their quality, and establishes a consistent income stream for producers.

Significantly, numerous high-tech application models have been implemented in production, such as smart agricultural production platforms, land databases, and irrigation reservoir monitoring systems.

"These instruments assist farmers in the management of crops, the prediction of diseases, the regulation of irrigation water, and the mitigation of natural disaster risks." Nguyen Huu Chien, Director of the Lang Son Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that numerous agricultural households have implemented technology to enhance their productivity and product quality, while simultaneously reducing input costs.

Digital transformation is having a significant impact on the entire agricultural value chain, not just consumption. Production management, food safety assurance, and forest resource protection have become more transparent and timely as a result of the implementation of industry management information systems, food safety databases, planting area codes, plant protection management software, and forest change updates.

Obstacles and prospects for the future

Mr. Chien observed that Lang Son's agriculture continues to encounter numerous obstacles despite the numerous positive outcomes it has achieved. In particular, the overwhelming volume of work is not adequately addressed by the physical infrastructure and equipment, which are still unsynchronized. Many of the industry's current databases are antiquated and necessitate updating.

Additionally, certain sectors like land, resource management, and environmental protection directly relate to the rights of citizens and businesses, often leading to complaints that demand careful and continuous processing by management agencies.

Additionally, the administrative unit reorganization in July 2025 has resulted in an immense volume of data that necessitates reconfiguration, while the human resources allocated to digital transformation are restrictive. Training officials and improving farmers' technological capabilities are also falling behind the tempo of progress.

To overcome these obstacles, the Department has suggested various solutions, including a significant investment in technology infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where internet connectivity is frequently deficient. Concurrently, the development of sensor systems and IoT devices will establish a foundation for implementing Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in production.

Additionally, the strategy involves organizing systematic, accessible training programs to assist farmers in enhancing their technological proficiency, reinforcing financial support policies for agricultural enterprises and cooperatives, and implementing preferential credit packages for technology investment.

In an effort to expedite the practical application of technology, the promotion of the connection between technology businesses and cooperatives/production households is also underway, encompassing the monitoring of crops and parasites, as well as the consumption of products.

Additionally, it is imperative to establish a legal framework that safeguards farmers' rights in the digital environment, protects agricultural data, and facilitates e-commerce to guarantee sustainability.

A new era of modern, efficient, and sustainable development is on the horizon for Lang Son's agriculture, as a result of the combination of a diversified agricultural potential, a favorable geographical location, and an increasingly sophisticated technological foundation.