Green agriculture or digital technology ultimately does not start from machines but from people. At the Dong Thap Fruit Festival, the story of "4.0 farmers", the intersection between technology and culture and the province's long-term orientations continue to be raised.
Reporters had exchanges with Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien - Vice Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee about the orientation of green agriculture.
Sir, how can farmers in Dong Thap not be "overwhelmed" by the digital transformation wave and truly master the value chain?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien: Dong Thap determines that green agriculture does not start from technology but starts from people. Building "4.0 Farmer" is not to turn farmers into technology engineers but to help them master production decisions with data, knowledge and linkages.
We implement according to the principle "simple, effective first, technology after". Technology is introduced through cooperatives, cooperative groups and farmer communities instead of individual households. Digital transformation must also solve specific issues such as traceability, planting area code management, pest and disease forecasting or consumption connection.
In addition, the province builds a post-harvest ecosystem including businesses, cooperatives, preliminary processing facilities, preservation and logistics to reduce losses, and promotes training in the direction of "holding hands and guiding" through community agricultural extension forces and farmer associations.
The ultimate goal is not to have how many smart devices, but to help farmers answer three questions: what to produce, who to sell and how to increase income while still protecting land and the environment.
The art mapping program "Regarding the River's Story" shows the combination of technology and culture. What do you think about this intersection?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien: This is a notable highlight of the festival. Dong Thap wants to connect agriculture, culture and technology instead of seeing them as separate fields.
Through projection technology, lighting and water music, stories about rivers, craft villages, boats and the sweet fruit season are told in a more modern language. Technology helps local identity become attractive to new generations of tourists, while turning culture into economic assets when each product is associated with the story of the land and tourism experiences.
More importantly, when the agricultural story is told more attractively, consumers will understand and appreciate the labor value behind each product; businesses have more motivation to invest and farmers are more proud of their profession.
Dong Thap expects the future not only to sell agricultural products but also to sell experiences, culture and belief. Digital technology will help the identity of the Southern river go further rather than losing that identity.
After the festival, what will Dong Thap do to make demonstration models a common reality in production?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien: We see the festival as the starting point for a new development standard for the fruit industry. After the festival, the province focuses on three groups of solutions.
First of all, it is to replicate green production models, traceability, post-harvest technology and digital commerce through agricultural extension systems, cooperatives and linked businesses. Our point of view is that good models must go out of the stage and into the fields and gardens.
Next is to gradually form a common system of standards for the fruit industry, in which green production, food safety and traceability will become common requirements to participate in high-value markets.
At the same time, the province continues to invest in cooperatives, digital transformation, planting area codes, packaging facilities, brand building and business connection so that people do not have to transform themselves alone.
We hope that when mentioning Dong Thap fruit, people will not only think about output or crop season, but think about a land where each fruit can tell its journey: where it was grown, who made it, according to what standards and what value it brings to people and the environment.
That is the path Dong Thap is choosing: from agricultural products to brands, from production to agricultural economy and from growth to sustainable development.
Thank you, sir!
