Building data foundations to drive green and sustainable agriculture

In the past, Viet Nam’s agriculture developed in a fragmented manner, relying largely on experience and traditional farming methods. This reduced product quality, resulting in Vietnamese agricultural goods being undervalued in the market and facing difficulties when exported to international markets.

According to Pham Huy Hoang, Chief Executive Officer of VNPT-IT, transitioning from raw exports to high-value products requires a robust data foundation, including data on growing areas, production processes, and markets. This serves as the basis for building traceability systems, enhancing transparency, and strengthening consumer trust.

In reality, as major markets such as the European Union (EU), the US, and Japan increasingly tighten import standards, the lack of transparent data has made it difficult for many agricultural products to gain access. Conversely, products with comprehensive and clear data on origin, cultivation processes, and quality can command higher and more stable prices.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, Chief Executive Officer of EU BID Viet Nam Joint Stock Company, noted that while small-scale production may still rely on manual methods, digital technology becomes essential as scale expands. Data plays a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural value, particularly in the development of processed and organic products.

From practical implementation, many localities have identified agriculture as a key pillar of the economy in the coming years. Nguyen Thai Binh, Deputy Director of the Lao Cai Department of Agriculture and Environment, affirmed that in the 2026–2030 period, the province will prioritise digital transformation across the entire production chain to improve management efficiency, increase product value, and support sustainable agricultural and forestry development. In this strategy, building, standardising, and completing agricultural databases is considered a central task.

To ensure that digital solutions are suitable and accessible for Vietnamese farmers, implementation should be phased and aligned with farmers’ actual capabilities. At the cultivation stage, the priority is to shift from manual record-keeping to electronic systems, helping farmers gradually become familiar with technology. At the same time, early warning solutions for pests and weather can be applied, alongside tools for irrigation management and control of pesticide residues to ensure product quality from the outset.

At the processing stage, digital technologies should be used to fully digitise production processes, enabling strict control over quantities, ingredients, and technical standards in line with market requirements, especially international ones. At the market stage, leveraging e-commerce platforms and social media can help promote products more effectively and support professional brand building through images, content, and video.

However, given that many farmers still have limited technological skills, implementation must be accompanied by step-by-step training programmes that are easy to understand and apply. In particular, the involvement of consulting and implementation units is essential to provide direct support to farmers.

To address the data challenge, the role of technology enterprises is indispensable. These companies are actively involved in building digital platforms, developing shared databases, and deploying IoT solutions in agriculture. Such platforms not only facilitate data collection and management but also create connections among stakeholders across the value chain, from regulators and businesses to farmers. When data is effectively shared and utilised, the entire agricultural ecosystem can operate more smoothly and transparently.

Another key factor is the linkage between the State, businesses, and farmers. This “three-legged stool” is considered essential for effective digital transformation. The State provides direction and a legal framework, businesses lead the market, and farmers are the primary creators of data. However, to ensure farmers’ active participation, specific incentive mechanisms are needed to align economic benefits with data provision and transparency. When farmers see clear benefits, they will be more proactive in adopting technology and engaging in the digital ecosystem.

Viet Nam’s agriculture stands at the threshold of a strong transformation through technological adoption and digitalisation of cultivation areas. In this journey, building standardised agricultural data systems with clear traceability will enable Vietnamese agricultural products to develop in a green and sustainable manner.

Link to the original article