In 2024, the Department of Science and Technology has deployed tasks in a focused and key direction, closely following the socio-economic development tasks of the province. The whole province deployed the management and implementation of 40 science and technology (S&T) tasks; including 37 provincial S&T tasks, 2 projects under the Rural and Mountainous Areas Program, and 1 urgent local topic at the national level.

The main scientific and technological tasks are in the fields of agriculture and society, contributing to providing a scientific basis for the construction and replication of high-tech agricultural application models, improving productivity, quality and value of key agricultural products; gradually building a scientific basis for proposing policies and strategies of the province, serving the goals of socio-economic development.

Many tasks were examined and evaluated as feasible, suitable and adaptable to the locality such as: "Research on selecting some high-yield, high-quality tea coffee varieties suitable for the natural conditions of Son La province"; "Building a model for experimental planting of some Cat Tuong flower varieties associated with eco-tourism development in Moc Chau and Van Ho"; "Research on breeding techniques and development of local rice varieties (I1) in Song Ma district, Son La province"; "Application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) integrated with 4.0 technology to monitor the growth and health of some agricultural crops (mango, longan) in the province"; "Research on improving the effectiveness of crime prevention and control in Son La province".

The group carried out the scientific task of building a model to effectively exploit the certified trademark "Da River Fish, Son La".

Notably, the project "Research on conservation and development of Tan Luong sticky rice variety in Nam Man commune, Song Ma district, Son La province" chaired by Dr. Vu Quang Giang, Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Tay Bac University has restored and preserved the genetic resources of the indigenous Tan Luong sticky rice variety, not only serving the goal of sustainable agricultural economic development but also bringing cultural values, preserving local specialties, creating a concentrated production area of ​​high-quality goods, opening up favorable opportunities for traditional branded products on the market in the coming years.

Dr. Vu Quang Giang, project manager, informed: The project selected 62 qualified lines and organized the production of purebred varieties in the 2024 crop season in Na Hin village, Na Nghiu commune, Song Ma district. The varieties were evaluated by the National Center for Research, Testing of Varieties and Crop Products to ensure the stability and genetic resources of the varieties. At the same time, the project has developed a technical process for breeding; planting and caring for, and preventing pests and diseases of Local rice (I1) suitable for natural conditions, local cultivation to serve production development. Contributing to the conservation of local crop genetic resources, serving as a basis for developing rice product brands associated with the district's OCOP program, increasing income for farmers.

Provincial leaders visited products of the Center for Supporting Innovation and Startups under the Department of Science and Technology.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said: The implementation of scientific and technological tasks has closely followed practical requirements, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province. Every year, the Department of Science and Technology has organized a conference to hand over the results of provincial-level scientific and technological research that have been accepted for practical application, contributing to providing a scientific basis for the development of crops and livestock, building and replicating technology application models, improving productivity, quality and value of key agricultural products, serving the development of fruit trees.

Spreading the research and innovation movement

In 2024, for the first time, the Department of Science and Technology advised the Provincial People's Committee to organize the Son La Provincial Science and Technology Award. After 4 months of launching, 17 entries were received, including: 3 entries in the field of social sciences and humanities; 2 entries in the field of science, technology and engineering; 2 entries in the field of natural sciences; 9 entries in the field of agricultural sciences. According to the evaluation, scoring, criticism and selection results of the Specialized Council, 14 works met the standards and scoring scale. The Provincial Award Council unanimously proposed that the Organizing Committee submit to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to award awards to 11 works, including: 2 B prizes for works; 4 C prizes; 5 encouragement prizes for authors and groups of authors.

The first Science and Technology Awards Ceremony 2024.

Master Dang Thuy Yen, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Tay Bac University, shared: The first time Son La province organized the award ceremony, I personally as well as the lecturers of the school felt happy and excited because this is a playground to give us more motivation to strive and explore more in the process of scientific research to link scientific research with reality and the development of the province.

As a typical unit in scientific research activities of the province, Tay Bac University currently has 9 centers performing scientific research tasks and has been granted certificates of scientific and technological activity units by the Department of Science and Technology of Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces. To serve scientific research, the school focuses on investing in synchronous facilities, with 30 practice rooms serving training majors; a system of net houses and greenhouses, with an area of ​​over 10,000 m2 to meet the practice needs of majors in the engineering - technology sector.

Lecturer of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Tay Bac University guides students in analyzing plant specimens.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Acting Secretary of the Party Committee of Tay Bac University, said: In 2024, the school will carry out 3 provincial-level science and technology tasks, 14 ministerial-level science and technology tasks, 58 grassroots-level science and technology tasks for lecturers; 42 school-level topics for students. The Son La Provincial Science and Technology Award contributes to promoting the scientific research movement; mobilizing, propagating, encouraging, motivating, and attracting science and technology human resources, and people from all walks of life to participate in scientific research, technology development, and innovation activities. At the same time, it is the basis for selecting research projects in Son La province to participate in the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Science and Technology.

Breakthrough in scientific and technological development

With the determination of the entire political system and the people of all ethnic groups in the province, Son La has achieved important and positive achievements; in which, science and technology activities have strongly impacted the application of science and technology in both breadth and depth.

The area of ​​fruit trees has increased rapidly, with more than 84,000 hectares (ranked 2nd nationwide, after Tien Giang province). The province has 213 growing area codes, 204 OCOP products, 9 high-tech agricultural areas; maintaining and developing 308 safe agricultural and aquatic food supply chains to serve the markets; 31 agricultural and aquatic products bearing the name of Son La have been granted protection certificates by the Department of Intellectual Property and 2 products have been granted protection certificates abroad.

The province has facilitated the establishment and operation of 11 science and technology organizations and 12 science and technology enterprises. Currently, the province has piloted a smart urban model in Son La city, including: "Son La Smart" on-site reporting system; System for monitoring, operating and handling violations of security, order and traffic safety in the city; successfully integrating the on-site reporting subsystem from the city IOC to the provincial IOC.

Orchid production in greenhouse at Tropical Flower Joint Stock Company, Moc Chau town.

In line with Resolution 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, the People's Committee of Son La province proactively directed and urged to assign specific responsibilities to heads of organizations, agencies and units at all levels to thoroughly grasp and develop action plans and programs for implementation at each level, sector and locality.

Viettel Son La digital technology booth.

Up to now, the science and technology human resources of science and technology organizations in the province are relatively large with 1,273 people, including: 96 PhDs, 555 masters; 319 university... The number of people with post-graduate degrees accounts for 51.14% of the total science and technology human resources, mainly concentrated in Tay Bac University. Improving the quality of science and technology human resources has made an important contribution to socio-economic development in all fields.

The contribution of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation has created an average growth rate of gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in the province over the past 5 years, estimated at 4.62%/year. It is expected that the economic scale will continue to increase in 2025; the total provincial product (at current prices) is estimated at 80,804 billion VND. The average GRDP per capita in 2025 is estimated at 60.3 million VND/person/year.

Son La Science and Technology sector focuses on advising on the effective implementation of Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation. At the same time, comprehensively innovate state management of research, transfer and application of science and technology; closely coordinate with all levels, sectors, district and city People's Committees in implementing science and technology activities in the province.

Promoting collective strength and intelligence to focus on research, bringing scientific and technological advances to the province's strengths and available potentials, contributing to promoting local socio-economic development, making Son La province develop greenly, quickly and sustainably in the spirit of the 15th Provincial Party Congress.

According to: Son La Newspaper