Leaders of Son La province visited the exhibition booth showcasing agricultural products that utilize science and technology.

Son La has focused on investing in the development of high-tech agriculture. Many research, application, and technology transfer results have met practical requirements, providing a basis for socio-economic development orientation, serving the cause of industrialization and modernization of agriculture, and exploiting the potential and advantages of climate and land. In particular, the application of science and technology to production in Son La has made significant progress, creating momentum for agricultural development.

Ms. Cam Thi Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: Following the province's socio-economic development plan, the department annually establishes a grassroots council to determine commissioned scientific and technological tasks in the agricultural and rural sectors. This council selects topics and projects with high feasibility, content closely aligned with production and daily life requirements, novelty, creativity, and scientific merit; and products that can be applied in practice, with specific application locations and areas.

At the same time, the province prioritizes supporting businesses and cooperatives in researching, applying, and transferring technology, including high technology, in agricultural production and building product brands; developing agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production models according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards; and producing organic agricultural products to serve the domestic and export markets.

Cultivating Cordyceps sinensis at Moc Chau Cordyceps Cooperative.

During the 2021-2024 period, based on proposals from districts, cities, research institutes, and universities, the grassroots-level emulation council proposed commissioning 59 science and technology tasks. These included proposals for research and testing of many new crops with high productivity, quality, and economic efficiency in agriculture. Notable projects include the selection and breeding of several imported Australian peach varieties; the application of techniques for off-season flowering and fruiting in some longan varieties; several techniques to improve the productivity and quality of Son La coffee for export; the development of a trial model for growing Dendrobium nobile under forest canopy for commercial production; research and development of large-fruited Chinese plum trees for commercial purposes; and research and development of production and preliminary processing of some indigenous medicinal plants.

A model of growing vegetables in greenhouses in Van Ho commune, Van Ho district.

Currently, the application of high technology and biotechnology in agriculture and rural development in the province has achieved significant achievements, such as: the application of genetic technology, in vitro technology, and microbial technology in the selection and breeding of crops, livestock, and aquatic species, effectively serving the needs of restructuring crop, livestock, and aquatic species in the province.

In the agricultural sector, the province currently has nearly 3,210 hectares using drip irrigation and misting systems for fruit trees, industrial crops, and vegetables. Over 115 hectares are covered by greenhouses and polytunnels for growing fruit trees and vegetables; nearly 265 hectares are certified organic; and 5,596 hectares have received VietGAP certification. The province has 8 high-tech agricultural zones, including 2 coffee zones; 2 mango zones; 1 longan zone; 1 custard apple zone; 1 tea zone; and 1 dairy farming zone in Moc Chau town, Mai Son district, and Yen Chau district.

Longan growing area in Chiềng Khương commune, Sông Mã district.

As a leading locality in applying high technology in agricultural production in the province, Moc Chau town has 486 establishments applying water-saving irrigation to more than 613 hectares of crops; 141 establishments investing in the construction of greenhouses and net houses with an area of ​​more than 100 hectares; 35 establishments applying VietGAP agricultural production practices in the field of crop cultivation with a total area of ​​1,125 hectares, mainly focusing on vegetables, tea and fruit trees...

Mr. Ha Quang Thanh, Head of the Agriculture and Environment Department of Moc Chau town, informed: The application of science and technology in agricultural production has brought positive results, contributing to promoting the restructuring of agricultural production; increasing income, productivity, and quality of agricultural products, and enhancing production value. The average production value in high-tech application areas reaches approximately 200 million VND/ha annually.

Using tissue-cultured seedlings from Moc Chau Tropical Flowers Joint Stock Company.

In the field of livestock farming, the province has focused on leading and directing the development of livestock production towards commodity production, emphasizing breed improvement and technology transfer, expanding the model of enterprises and cooperatives linking with households to develop livestock farming. It has applied closed-barn technology, automation of all or some stages in concentrated, industrial-scale livestock farming. It has also applied livestock waste treatment technology, biogas technology, and biological products to minimize the risk of environmental pollution.

Mr. Nguyen Sy Quang, Deputy General Director of Moc Chau Dairy Cattle Breeding Joint Stock Company, informed: The company has invested in and upgraded to 11 processing lines for dairy products at 2 processing plants, with an average capacity of 250 tons of fresh milk per day and over 40 manure separation and pressing machines to serve production. Using sex-sorted semen to develop the cattle herd, and utilizing Alfalfa grass, the concentrated feed processing plant has a capacity of 12 tons/hour, and the TMR feed plant has a capacity of 120 tons/day to meet the needs of the cattle. There are 3 breeding centers with nearly 2,000 cows carrying out selective breeding to create high-yield nucleus herds, ensuring the supply of high-quality breeding stock to farmers.

Moc Chau Milk's concentrated livestock farm.

Building on the achievements, the Department of Agriculture and Environment continues to focus on researching, developing, applying, and effectively transferring advancements in biotechnology in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; processing industries; medicine, healthcare, and public health; and environmental protection and sustainable development. It will coordinate with relevant agencies and units to appraise proposals for scientific and technological tasks in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, ensuring they are consistent with local realities and aligned with the development of green and sustainable agriculture.

Source: Son La Newspaper