Promoting the application of science and technology and digital transformation in agriculture contributes to improving the quality of the province's key agricultural products.

Applied research has focused on rural agriculture, developing high-tech agriculture, clean agriculture, organic agriculture; improving the quality of key products of the province according to the value chain associated with building, developing, and protecting brands to meet export needs. Based on the research orientation, in 2020 - 2022, Son La province has deployed 26 scientific and technological tasks in the agricultural sector, accounting for more than 70% of the tasks deployed in the province.

Step by step, digital transformation in the production of agricultural products (vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee, etc.) and key aquatic products of the province. Digitize data in the fields of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, irrigation, new rural areas, and agricultural cooperatives. Build and replicate safe agricultural production models, apply sensors and smart devices that are connected and automatically controlled throughout the agricultural production process; LED technology used synchronously in high-tech farming; Cultivation in greenhouses, net houses, using hydroponics and aeroponics; Photovoltaic cells; Use robots instead of taking care of crops and livestock; Use drones and satellites; Apply financial technology to serve all agricultural activities in the province.

In parallel with activities to support the connection of consumption of agricultural and rural products in traditional forms, Son La province has implemented trade promotion activities in the online environment such as: Maintaining and updating the information page introducing products, enterprises and cooperatives of Son La province (https://agritradepage.vn) with 42 enterprises, cooperatives and 52 typical agricultural products in 3 languages ​​(Vietnamese, English, Chinese). Continuing to support enterprises and cooperatives to promote and introduce products on 03 international e-commerce platforms (Alibaba.com, EC21.com, Agrimp.com); Supporting enterprises and cooperatives producing coffee products to promote, introduce and find partners in the UK and German markets; Supporting enterprises and cooperatives producing mango products to promote, introduce and find partners in the Australian and Chinese markets through the Google Adwords advertising tool.

Trade promotion activities for agricultural products of the province in the online environment are deployed.

Building agricultural product brands, applying good agricultural production standards (VieGAP) and equivalent to ensure traceability and food safety are maintained. The province's agricultural products are focused on developing brands, to date the province has had 26 products granted trademark protection bearing the province's geographical name. The whole province has 145 establishments applying VietGAP and GlobalGAP good agricultural production practices that are still in effect. Focus on improving product quality, ensuring food safety in production, preservation and processing of agricultural products. The units coordinated to organize the assessment of food safety conditions for 25 establishments producing and trading agricultural, forestry and aquatic products in the area and organized a surprise inspection team to inspect compliance with food safety requirements for establishments not subject to the issuance of a Certificate of eligibility for food safety in Son La province in 2023 at Son La Sugarcane Joint Stock Company, Son La Joint Stock Company - Vinatea Moc Chau.

Human resource development, training, and service industry development in rural areas have always received the most attention, especially for commune-level cadres and civil servants in the agricultural sector. Since the beginning of the year, the province has organized 62/75 training and development classes with 164,034 students, accounting for 82.7%. Strengthening propaganda and mobilizing people to actively participate in vocational training classes, technical guidance training classes, and livelihood conversion; Propagating to raise people's awareness of the meaning, importance, and benefits of agricultural vocational training for rural workers. By August 2023, elementary agricultural vocational training and regular training under 3 months had been organized for 1,693 students. In addition, training to improve the quality of human resources for the province's agricultural sector staff has been strengthened. Capacity building for managers of enterprises, cooperatives, and farm owners. Vocational training for rural workers, strengthening training for people. Organizing study tours of high-tech agricultural production models that bring high economic efficiency.

Le Hong