Leveraging digital platform to elevate Vietnamese agricultural products globally

On July 17, the Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ), in collaboration with Griffith University (Australia), held a workshop to wrap up the project "Empowering Certification and Traceability for Sustainable Agriculture" in Hanoi. The event explored new approaches to enhancing the global competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products through digital platforms and AI.

The project was implemented under Aus4Innovation, a 10-year partnership between the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Viet Nam. The program aims to promote innovation and digital transformation in support of sustainable socio-economic development.

Digital platform cuts costs, enhances transparency and competitiveness

Opening the workshop, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh emphasized that digital transformation and AI are fundamentally reshaping agriculture, not only by improving productivity but also by transforming quality management and market connectivity.

As global markets impose increasingly stringent requirements on transparency, traceability, and standards compliance, the adoption of digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) in certification is becoming essential.

According to Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh, technology solutions should deliver practical benefits by helping farmers, cooperatives, and businesses meet certification requirements more efficiently while reducing compliance costs and improving transparency. This, in turn, will enhance the value and international competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

"The project Empowering Certification and Traceability for Sustainable Agriculture exemplifies the strong collaboration between Viet Nam and Australia in science, technology, and innovation. It also demonstrates a user-centered approach by translating research outcomes into practical solutions that address the real needs of agricultural production", he emphasized.

From the perspective of an international partner, Renée Deschamps, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, said the project has successfully brought together the knowledge, technology, and shared vision of Australia and Vietnam to strengthen agricultural certification and traceability systems.

She noted that the initiative is helping Vietnamese producers access higher-value markets while promoting more sustainable farming practices, reflecting Australia's commitment to responsible innovation through the Aus4Innovation program.

Deschamps highlighted the V-Standard platform as a key project outcome, noting that it integrates AI and real-time data processing to improve the efficiency and transparency of certification and traceability. By placing farmers and businesses at the center, the platform expands opportunities to access premium markets.

Looking ahead, she reaffirmed Australia's commitment to deepening cooperation with Vietnam in science, technology, and innovation, with the shared goal of fostering sustainable economic growth and building a more resilient and prosperous future for both countries.

Representing one of the project's beneficiaries, Ma Thi Ninh, Director of Yen Duong Cooperative in Thuong Minh Commune, Thai Nguyen Province, said the initiative has helped enhance the value of local agricultural products. The cooperative is now focusing on organic production, supported by traceability systems and quality assurance.

To enhance product value, Yen Duong Cooperative has joined OCOP program, registered barcodes and traceability labels, and improved its packaging and branding to strengthen market competitiveness. As a result, four of its products, fragrant squash, fragrant squash tea, Tai sticky rice, and Yen Duong arrowroot vermicelli, have received three- to four-star OCOP certification.

The cooperative has also expanded its distribution network to provinces and cities nationwide, supplying supermarkets and specialty food retailers. In addition, it purchases agricultural products from local farmers at prices about 10% above the market rate, helping increase rural incomes while promoting sustainable production.

V-Standard strengthens agricultural traceability

At the workshop, Griffith University officially transferred the V-Standard digital platform to STAMEQ. The platform supports the entire certification process, including farm and crop management, electronic production records, compliance assessment, and QR code-based product traceability.

The platform will also be integrated with Viet Nam's National Product and Goods Traceability Portal, helping build a transparent and unified data ecosystem for agricultural quality management.

Tran Dang Khoa, Vice Chairman of STAMEQ, expressed hope for continued support from the Australian Government, Aus4Innovation, Griffith University, and industry partners to expand the platform beyond the pilot phase and accelerate its adoption, contributing to a more modern, transparent, and sustainable agricultural sector in Viet Nam.

In addition to introducing the V-Standard platform, the workshop showcased GS1-based traceability solutions integrated with Viet Nam's National Product and Goods Traceability Portal. Participants were also introduced to certification processes aligned with Vietnamese and international standards, while cooperatives shared practical experiences in using the platform to manage production and prepare for certification.