Farmers in Son La province are applying technology to their agricultural production processes.

In recent years, high-tech agriculture has emerged as an essential solution, bringing breakthroughs in productivity, quality, and value of agricultural products. Among these, Son La is asserting its position as one of the bright spots in the development of high-tech agriculture.

The "key" to sustainable development.

High-tech agriculture aims to ultimately optimize efficiency, minimize risks, improve product quality, and bring high added value to farmers. The application of high technology not only helps to significantly increase productivity but also contributes to environmental protection, resource conservation, and the development of sustainable agriculture.

In Son La, awareness of the importance of high-tech agriculture has been translated into concrete and effective actions. The province currently has a total cultivated area of ​​251,837 hectares, of which the area of ​​perennial crops reaches 109,938 hectares, an increase of 4.41% compared to the same period in 2024.

In particular, the area of ​​fruit trees and hawthorn trees accounts for 83,429 hectares, with an estimated fruit production of 240,736 tons (an increase of 24.17%), showing a shift in crop structure towards products with high economic value.

Major fruit crops such as mangoes (19,615ha), longan (19,822ha), plums (13,450ha), and bananas (5,920ha) are receiving significant investment and development, focusing on the application of high technology.

Son La province has achieved significant progress in implementing high-tech agricultural models across various sectors. The province has recognized eight high-tech agricultural crop zones, including mango, custard apple, longan, plum, coffee, and tea.

In addition, a high-tech dairy farming area in Moc Chau is a prime example of applying modern barn technology, scientific nutrition management, automatic milking systems, and circular waste treatment, resulting in high economic efficiency and environmental protection.

The application of advanced technologies in production has yielded impressive results. Accordingly, the entire province now has 3,891.83 hectares of crops equipped with water-saving irrigation systems (drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation), mainly for fruit trees and vegetables, helping to save water resources and improve farming efficiency.

With 115.5 hectares of crops produced in greenhouses, polytunnels, and glasshouses, productivity is ensured, pests and diseases are controlled, and the impact of adverse weather conditions is minimized.

Son La currently has 8,534.64 hectares of crops applying VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and equivalent agricultural production processes, with fruit trees accounting for a large proportion, affirming Son La's commitment to product quality.

The province currently maintains 216 registered growing areas with a total area of ​​over 3,090 hectares, serving agricultural exports to demanding markets such as China, the US, the EU, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 8 registered packaging facilities have been granted and maintained, ensuring technical conditions for processing and packaging products according to international standards.

Son La coffee continues to be a source of pride for the province, with 23,448 hectares achieving sustainable certification (4C, RA), and certified coffee production exceeding 28,000 tons per year, demonstrating agricultural development linked to social and environmental responsibility.

Son La Seed Company grows imported Ha Den grape variety, yielding high productivity. Photo: An Thanh Dat

Production linkages and technology transfer

One of the key factors contributing to the success of high-tech agriculture in Son La is the strengthening of production linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and businesses.

The province has developed raw material areas linked with large enterprises such as Doveco Son La Company (nearly 20,000 hectares), IC Food, and a number of other processing and preliminary processing businesses.

This not only helps stabilize the consumption of agricultural products but also increases the proportion of agricultural products processed and exported. In the first six months of 2025, the output of mangoes, pineapples, passion fruit, sweet corn, and various vegetables for processing reached over 12,000 tons.

In particular, Son La is actively implementing a program to support the transfer of advanced technology from Israel. Initially, a modern drip irrigation system has been applied to plum trees in Long Phieng and Phieng Khoai (formerly Yen Chau district), promising outstanding results in optimizing water and nutrient levels for the crops.

To further build upon these achievements, in the coming period, Son La province will focus on strategic solutions such as improving the professional skills of management staff, agricultural engineers, and farmers to master advanced technologies.

The province also focuses on improving the infrastructure of the technology application zone to ensure the availability of research facilities, laboratories, and other necessary conditions for implementing scientific research projects and topics.

In addition, Son La also encourages and supports activities to disseminate, transfer, and apply scientific and technological advancements in the production of plant, animal, and aquatic species; pest and disease control; and the preservation and processing of agricultural products.