Standardizing systems and advancing digital transformation in irrigation

Facing challenges due to lack of standards and inconsistent equipment

At the forum “Science, Technology, and Digital Transformation in the Management and Operation of Irrigation Works under Resolution 57,” many localities shared their practical difficulties in implementing digital technology solutions. They also proposed the early establishment of common standards, financial norms, and appropriate mechanisms to support equipment investment.

Mr. Le Xuan Thai, Head of the Irrigation Sub-Department of Khanh Hoa Province, noted that the locality was among the pioneers in applying automated control systems (SCADA) at several major reservoirs between 2010 and 2012. However, after only a few years of operation, many devices were damaged, and the systems became largely ineffective. The main reason, according to Mr. Thai, was the lack of stable maintenance funding and the absence of clear spending norms for this type of specialized equipment.

“We often say that management units must allocate funds for operation, but in practice, how much to spend and based on what standards remain unclear, unlike traditional irrigation works,” Mr. Thai emphasized.

From this reality, the representative of Khanh Hoa proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, together with relevant professional agencies, develop a dedicated set of maintenance norms for automated control systems. He also recommended issuing a standard procedure for maintenance planning and annual budget allocation to provide localities with a clear legal and financial basis for maintaining system efficiency after investment.

In addition to financial issues, Mr. Thai highlighted another major challenge - the lack of uniformity in software and equipment when implementing multiple investment packages or during administrative mergers. In Khanh Hoa alone, there are currently more than 10 different software systems operating on a single monitoring screen, each using its own application. This fragmentation has made operation and management confusing and ineffective.

Therefore, he proposed establishing a nationwide technical standard framework applicable to all investment, consulting, and construction units. Such a framework would ensure design consistency, data integration, and information sharing, while easing the operational burden on local authorities.

Proposing central support for equipment, research, and financial mechanisms

Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Head of the Irrigation Sub-Department of Ca Mau Province, shared that the locality has made efforts to establish a Monitoring Center integrating data from both irrigation and aquaculture sectors, aiming to build a unified data processing and utilization system for the entire industry. However, incompatibility of equipment and reliance on imported technologies remain major challenges.

“Many devices donated by international organizations have deteriorated over time - with damaged sensors requiring imported replacement parts at high cost. In several cases, entire systems had to be replaced with foreign equipment to ensure full integration, resulting in expensive investments,” Mr. Tung noted.

Notably, in some cases, data from monitoring stations were transmitted to servers located abroad, making it difficult for local authorities to manage, access, and proactively regulate water resources. Mr. Tung also noted that Ca Mau Province is currently developing a disaster risk map covering four types of hazards - storms, tropical depressions, tidal surges, and rising sea levels - to support command and response operations.

However, outdated technical infrastructure and the lack of synchronization among sluice gates and boat locks have made the integration of SCADA systems unfeasible. The leadership of the Ca Mau Irrigation Sub-Department proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment invest in upgrading infrastructure, particularly sluices and dams, to create the necessary conditions for applying automated control systems and achieving comprehensive digital transformation in the near future.

Responding to these concerns, Mr. Nguyen Hong Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Water Works Management and Construction, stated that investment in digital equipment and technology requires a long-term roadmap and cannot be accomplished in a short period. Nevertheless, the Department and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will continue to study and provide appropriate support.

According to Mr. Khanh, funding is not a major barrier in practice, as resources can be mobilized not only from the central budget but also from local authorities, businesses, and socialized sources. The key issue, he emphasized, is to develop the “right and specific assignment” - meaning that localities must clearly identify what they need, where, and for what purpose, so that the central government can design effective solutions.

“The central government will develop the overall framework, while localities will adapt it based on their actual infrastructure conditions. In some areas, even electrification has not yet been completed, so digital transformation cannot be overly ambitious. What matters most is to have a reasonable roadmap - determining what to do first and what to do next - to ensure sustainability,” Mr. Khanh stressed.