In 2024, the Department of Science and Technology implemented tasks with a focused and targeted approach, closely aligned with the province's socio-economic development goals. The entire province managed and implemented 40 science and technology (S&T) tasks; including 37 provincial-level S&T tasks, 2 projects under the Rural and Mountainous Areas Program, and 1 urgent local-level national-level research project.

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

Many of the tasks were inspected and evaluated for feasibility and suitability to the local context, such as: “Research on selecting several high-yield, high-quality Arabica coffee varieties suitable for the natural conditions of Son La province”; “Building a model for experimental cultivation of several Lisianthus flower varieties associated with ecotourism 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 (mangoes, longans) in the province”; “Research on improving the effectiveness of crime prevention and control against murder in Son La province”.

The research team is working on developing a model for effectively exploiting the "Son La Da River Fish" certification mark.

Notably, the research project "Study on the conservation and development of the Tan Luong glutinous rice variety in Nam Man commune, Song Ma district, Son La province," led by Dr. Vu Quang Giang from the Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Tay Bac University, has successfully restored and preserved the genetic resources of the indigenous Tan Luong glutinous rice variety. This not only serves the goal of sustainable agricultural economic development but also holds cultural value, preserves local specialties, creates concentrated production areas for high-quality goods, and opens up favorable opportunities for traditional branded products in the market in the coming years.

Dr. Vu Quang Giang, the project leader, informed: The project selected 62 lines that met the requirements and organized the production of purebred seeds in the 2024 crop season in Na Hin village, Na Nghiu commune, Song Ma district. All varieties were evaluated by the National Center for Seed and Plant Product Testing and Inspection for several seasons, ensuring stability and genetic resources. Simultaneously, the project developed technical procedures for propagation; planting, care, and pest and disease control of local rice (I1) suitable to the local natural and farming conditions, serving the development of production. This contributes to the conservation of local plant genetic resources, serves as a basis for developing a rice product brand associated with the district's OCOP program, and increases income for farmers.

Provincial leaders visited the products of the Innovation and Startup Support Center under the Department of Science and Technology.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said: The implementation of science and technology tasks has closely followed practical requirements, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province. Every year, the Department of Science and Technology organizes a conference to hand over the results of provincial-level science and technology research that have been approved for practical application, contributing to providing a scientific basis for the development of crops and livestock, building and replicating technology application models, improving the productivity, quality, and value of key agricultural products, and 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 the competition, 17 applications were received, including: 3 in the field of social sciences and humanities; 2 in the field of engineering and technology; 2 in the field of natural sciences; and 9 in the field of agricultural sciences. After evaluation, scoring, and review by the specialized councils, 14 projects met the standards and scoring criteria. The Provincial Award Council unanimously recommended that the Organizing Committee submit to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee the awarding of prizes to 11 projects, including: 2 B prizes for individual projects; 4 C prizes; and 5 encouragement awards for individual authors and groups of authors.

The first Science and Technology Awards Ceremony in 2024.

Ms. Dang Thuy Yen, M.A., Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Tay Bac University, shared: "This is the first time Son La province has organized this award ceremony. Personally, I, as well as other lecturers at the university, feel happy and excited because this is a platform that gives us more motivation to strive and explore further in the process of scientific research, connecting scientific research with reality and the development of the province."

As a leading institution in scientific research in the province, Tay Bac University currently has 9 centers carrying out scientific research tasks that have been certified as scientific and technological research units by the Departments of Science and Technology of Son La, Dien Bien, and Lai Chau provinces. To support scientific research, the university focuses on investing in comprehensive facilities, including 30 practice rooms serving various training programs; and a system of greenhouses and glasshouses covering over 10,000 m2 to meet the practical needs of engineering and technology disciplines.

Lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Northwest University, guide students in analyzing plant specimens.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Acting Secretary of the Party Committee of Tay Bac University, said: In 2024, the university implemented 3 provincial-level science and technology projects, 14 ministerial-level science and technology projects, 58 institutional-level science and technology projects by faculty members; and 42 university-level projects by students. The Son La Provincial Science and Technology Award contributes to promoting the scientific research movement; mobilizing, publicizing, encouraging, motivating, and attracting scientific and technological personnel and people from all walks of life to participate in scientific research, technology development, and innovation. At the same time, it serves as a basis for selecting research projects in Son La province to participate in the Ho Chi Minh Award and the State Award for Science and Technology.

Breakthroughs 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 particular, science and technology activities have strongly impacted the application of science and technology both in breadth and depth.

The area under fruit trees has increased rapidly, reaching over 84,000 hectares (ranking second nationwide, after Tien Giang province). The province has 213 registered planting areas, 204 OCOP products, and 9 high-tech agricultural zones; it maintains and develops 308 safe agricultural and aquatic food supply chains serving various markets; 31 agricultural and aquatic products bearing the name Son La have been granted protection certificates by the Intellectual Property Office, 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 city model in Son La city, including: the "Son La Smart" field reporting system; a system for monitoring, managing, and handling violations of security, order, and traffic safety in the city; and the successful integration of the field reporting subsystem from the city's IOC to the provincial IOC.

Orchid production in greenhouses at Tropical Flowers Joint Stock Company, Moc Chau town.

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

Viettel Son La's digital technology booth.

To date, the scientific and technological workforce in scientific and technological organizations in the province is relatively large, with 1,273 people, including: 96 PhDs, 555 Master's degree holders; and 319 Bachelor's degree holders... The number of people with postgraduate qualifications accounts for 51.14% of the total scientific and technological workforce, mainly concentrated at Tay Bac University. Improving the quality of the scientific and technological workforce has made a significant contribution to socio-economic development in all fields.

The contributions of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation have resulted in an average annual growth rate of the province's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of approximately 4.62% over the past five years. The economic scale is projected to continue growing by 2025; the province's Gross Regional Domestic Product (at current prices) is estimated to reach VND 80,804 billion. The GRDP per capita in 2025 is estimated to reach VND 60.3 million/person/year.

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

Leveraging collective strength and intelligence, focusing on research, and integrating scientific and technological advancements with the province's existing strengths and potential will contribute to promoting local socio-economic development, leading Son La province towards green, rapid, and sustainable development in accordance with the spirit of the 15th Provincial Party Congress.

Source: Son La Newspaper