HCM City  (VNS/VNA) - Authorities in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap have taken measures tobring farmers closer to smart agriculture at a time when they are struggling tofind buyers for their produce. 

Le Minh Hoan, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said the provincewas among the first in the region to provide economic information to farmers sothey could improve their lives.

With Hoan’s recommendation, the business community donated iPads to farmers inthe province. “The iPads are useful tools that help farmers learn about farmingexperiences from home and abroad,” said Hoan, adding that it is the best way toapproach the “knowledge revolution”.

Many farmers’ clubs have also been set up in the province.

After a visit from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc two years ago, Hau Giang provincealso began focusing on smart agriculture.

During the visit, PM Phuc said: “Hau Giang needs to transfer from chemical andindustrial agriculture to organic agriculture and smart farming, and developservices and processing and auxiliary industries to support its farmingindustry.”

Since then, the province has focused on sustainable development in agricultureand its programme on new rural areas.

This year, it began promoting a green economy, targeting smart agriculture,with priorities given to aquaculture, rice and vegetable cultivation.

The province set up a 5,200ha hi-tech agricultural park in the province’s LongMy district with policies to support enterprises and farmers to develop cleanand green agriculture in the park.

In addition to rice, Hau Giang sells other products such as strabismus fallsfish, dragon fruit, pineapple and soursop to overseas markets.

According to Le Tien Chau, Chairman of the Hau Giang provincial People’sCommittee, farmers need assistance from others to learn about hightechnologies. Scientists, universities and research institutes can provide helpto farmers.

Dr Truong Duy Can from Can Tho University said that local communities werefocusing more on advanced technology and development of their major products.

“The agricultural revolution must begin with the reduction of the use of plantprotection chemicals and fertilizers,” which must be replaced by biologicalproducts and eco-friendly production that results in products of highnutritional value, he said.-VNS/VNA