Tay Ninh builds high-tech, sustainable agricultural sector

A green farm in the land of blazing sun

Vinamilk has not only succeeded in building dairy farms in some of the country’s harshest areas, but has also become a model for “unlocking nature” by turning disadvantages into green advantages. The company has created a circular farming model that balances economic growth with environmental and community benefits.

As the afternoon light fades in Tay Ninh, the vast European-standard organic rice fields at the Vinamilk Green Farm Tay Ninh glow with a warm golden hue, marking the beginning of a closed-loop circular cycle.

Walking into the fields with Mr Nguyen Van Minh, who oversees raw-material production for the Green Farm, he points to the rice panicles filled with milk grain and shares the story behind the development of 300 ha of organic rice that meets European standards. It is a critical link in the circular agriculture model that the farm has been pursuing.

Before choosing the right rice variety, the farm spent significant time testing many options. In this region known for its intense heat, they eventually found a variety that stood firm: a hardy plant that withstands harsh conditions and shows strong resistance to pests and diseases, a vital trait in organic farming where no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are used. After two years of soil rehabilitation and strict organic management, the area received EU organic certification. Yields have stabilized at 5.8 to 6 tons/ha, with some plots reaching 7 to 8 tons/ha/crop.

“Livestock waste is a headache for almost every farm, but here it becomes ‘black gold’ for soil improvement. Thanks to this organic fertilizer, the soil is richer in humus, and we only need 60-100 kg of seed/ha, half the amount used in conventional farming. The rice grains are clean and bright with very little disease, even in Tay Ninh’s harsh autumn-winter season. Yields this year are up 15% to 20%. A challenge in waste treatment has become a resource for clean feed and healthier soils. That is the true value of circular farming”, Mr Minh says proudly.

What impresses many visitors is not only the internal circular system of soil, water, and waste treatment, but also the way Vinamilk extends this model into the surrounding community, forming satellite agricultural zones developed on sustainable principles.

Organic fertilizer from the farm is provided to partner households and farm staff, who in turn help local farmers follow good agricultural practices. In 2024 alone, the company purchased more than 365,000 tons of corn silage from farmers, helping increase local incomes. Farmers become part of the sustainable value chain, benefit from it, and engage more deeply with the enterprise.

After nearly 20 years of investment, Vinamilk manages 14 farms across Vietnam and one in Laos. Four of these are built under the Green Farm ecological model in Tay Ninh. All farms follow international standards and lead the sector in sustainable practices.

Resolution 57 opens the way for livestock development

Vinamilk’s success in Tay Ninh has helped make the province a magnet for major livestock investment. According to Ms Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Tay Ninh, the province’s livestock sector has undergone a strong shift toward high-tech, modern, and sustainable development in recent years. Leading enterprises have helped establish large-scale production zones and a circular agricultural ecosystem aligned with international standards.

One standout project is the DHN Tay Ninh High-Tech Agriculture Complex developed by Hung Nhon Group and De Heus of the Netherlands. It is one of 12 key projects to 2030, with a total investment of nearly VND 10 trillion, focusing on high-tech livestock, breeding, and chicken production for export.

In the cattle sector, Pacow International is building a closed, highly automated beef-production system, from housing to slaughtering. A highlight is its no-ground-contact slaughtering process. Beef is cooled at 0 to 4 degrees celsius for 24 to 48 hours, then vacuum-packed to maintain quality for up to 21 days. Pacow holds multiple international certifications, including ISO, HACCP, GlobalGAP, and Halal, giving it strong export potential.

BAF is also investing in a multi-level pig-farming complex, a feed mill, and a modern slaughtering and processing line that uses air-filtration and odor-removal technology to reduce emissions and meet increasingly strict environmental standards.

Despite these bright spots, Ms Khanh notes that the province still faces challenges. Investment resources remain limited, and only a few enterprises are capable of leading value-chain linkages. Tay Ninh also lacks highly skilled labor, especially digital agriculture engineers, data specialists, and operators for automated systems.

Market fluctuations are unpredictable, and the province’s digital infrastructure is still incomplete, mainly serving administrative management rather than large-scale smart production. To address these bottlenecks, Ms Khanh recommends that the central government introduce stronger enterprise-support policies, including incentives on land, credit, and taxes; promote technology application; and establish a scientific and innovation-support fund for agriculture.

At the provincial level, Tay Ninh aims to review and adjust the planning of high-tech agricultural zones, strengthen cooperation with research institutes and universities, and train a high-quality workforce while guiding farmers in digital adoption. The province is also issuing targeted policies to pilot models suitable for different production zones.

Tay Ninh’s development vision is built on four pillars: First is green, circular agriculture, where most by-products and waste are collected, recycled, and reused. Second is digital agriculture with a data platform linking the province to the national system, and with cooperatives and enterprises encouraged to adopt e-records, automated irrigation, and blockchain traceability. Third is an agricultural economy mindset that shifts from pure production to value chain development and market orientation. Fourth is an enabling state role that provides data, connects markets, and supports enterprises and farmers in following technological processes.