Science and technology are foundation of modern agricultural development

Creating new momentum for agriculture

On its journey to renew the growth model, An Giang identifies science and technology as a vital pillar in its socio-economic development strategy. Guided by the vision that “agriculture is the foundation, farmers are the core, and rural areas are the driving force,” the province has translated this into practical action programs, integrating scientific and technological applications, innovation, and digital transformation into every production sector, especially agriculture.

Mr. Vo Minh Trung, Director of the An Giang Department of Science and Technology, said that during 2020-2025, the province implemented 210 science and technology tasks at various levels, including 6 national-level tasks, 94 provincial-level tasks, and 110 grassroots-level tasks. Agriculture alone accounted for 99 of these tasks, clearly reflecting the province’s priority: using scientific research as the foundation to transform production methods and improve productivity, quality, and value of agricultural products.

These research projects focus on practical directions such as developing high-quality rice varieties, climate-resilient aquatic breeds, conserving medicinal plant genetic resources in the Bay Nui region, studying biosecure farming processes, and applying biotechnology and IoT in cultivation. Most projects, after acceptance, have been transferred to enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers for real-world implementation, contributing to the formation of an innovation ecosystem in agriculture.

Alongside research activities, An Giang also emphasizes promoting technological innovation in enterprises. During 2020-2025, the province supported 8 technology renovation projects with a total budget of more than USD 19 billion, enabling local businesses to invest in new equipment, improve production processes, and enhance competitiveness.

Building a green, knowledge-based agriculture

Director Vo Minh Trung affirmed that applying research outcomes in practice has helped improve productivity and agricultural quality, reduce emissions, and build a green, knowledge-based agricultural sector. Short-duration, salt-tolerant, lodging-resistant, and pest-resistant rice varieties developed through research have increased yields and rice quality while enhancing climate resilience. Meanwhile, high-tech aquaculture research, especially for pangasius and brackish-water shrimp, has helped standardize farming practices, reduce pollution, and increase the value of export products.

In crop production, IPHM (Integrated Plant Health Management), alternate wetting and drying (AWD), precision fertilization, and biological pest management have been implemented on tens of thousands of hectares of rice fields. These practices have reduced irrigation water by 25-30%, cut fertilizer and pesticide costs by 15-20%, while maintaining stable yields and improving grain quality and safety.

Notably, “smart field” models have been developed in many localities based on scientific research. In these fields, farmers use water-level sensors, field-monitoring cameras, and digital extension applications to track pests and receive real-time technical guidance.

In livestock production, scientific studies on biosecurity, climate-controlled housing, multilayer disinfection protocols, and herd data management software have played an essential role in helping the sector recover after disease outbreaks. Several farms have successfully applied waste-treatment technologies using microbial products, turning livestock by-products into organic fertilizer, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating new income streams.

In the fisheries sector, An Giang is promoting research on pangasius farming models, water-recirculating shrimp systems, and the use of sensors to measure oxygen, pH, and temperature, along with electronic logs, automated feeding systems, and surveillance cameras. These applications have increased survival rates of fish and shrimp fry, reduced feed conversion ratios (FCR), and ensured traceability for exports to demanding markets.

Science and technology can only realize their full value when paired with digital transformation. The province has built an integrated agricultural database, assigned planting area codes, and applied electronic traceability systems to key products such as rice, mango, and aquaculture. Farmers are trained to use digital farm diaries and to update weather, hydrological, and pest data, enabling more proactive production decisions. Hundreds of OCOP items and rural specialty products have been brought onto e-commerce platforms, helping farmers reach broader markets, reduce intermediaries, and increase their income.

For the 2025-2030 period, An Giang aims to intensify communication on implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW on science-technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation. The province will prioritize resources for research, especially in high-tech agriculture, biotechnology, medicinal materials, and AI; develop digital infrastructure and open data systems for the agricultural sector; strengthen regional linkages; and promote green agricultural value chains geared toward the carbon credit market.

Today, An Giang’s farmers manage their fields using smartphones and digital data - a shift from experience-based farming to smart agriculture. Driven by innovation and a strong development aspiration, An Giang is determined to make science, technology, and digital transformation the solid foundation of a modern, green, and sustainable agricultural sector.