Hanoi's agricultural sector embraces technology for safe food supply chains

Hanoi’s agricultural sector has been supporting production, processing, and supply chains of safe products by applying information technology for quality control and transparency, local insiders said.

Hanoi has been a champion for the use of a food traceability system. Photo: VNA

As a safe vegetable producer certified according to VietGAP standards, Bui Thi Thanh Ha, director of the Thanh Ha Agriculture Cooperative (Thuong Tin District), said the cooperative has about 10,000 square meters of organic saplings. The cooperative has implemented a QR code to trace the origin of the product, including how it was produced, harvested and packaged. "This has built trust with consumers," she added.

Similarly, Tu Tam Trading and Food Processing Joint Stock Company (Thanh Xuan District), which sells more than 30 tons of processed food per month through supermarkets, clean food stores, and e-commerce platforms, uses QR codes for food traceability. 

Dinh Thi Hai Yen, director of the company, said they have integrated information technology into food quality management from production to processing. Consumers can fully check the production and expiration dates, as well as the products' ingredients.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, director of the Hanoi Agro-Forestry and Fisheries Quality Management Sub-Department under the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said they had supported cooperatives and enterprises in developing the origin traceability system for agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, and food in Hanoi at the website https://check.hanoi.gov.vn.

She added that the system has provided management accounts to 3,430 entities, including cooperatives, producers and processing units, and packaging units, with 13,353 sets of origin traceability codes for their products.

"The use of information systems to manage safe and secure agricultural chains has helped cooperatives and businesses to transition from traditional to modern farming. In addition, the use of e-commerce platforms such as Facebook, Zalo and TikTok has facilitated direct links between producers and consumers," Hang said.

Training for digital knowledge and skills

Nurturing seedlings at Thanh Ha Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative, Thuong Tin District. Photo: Lam Nguyen/ The Hanoi Times

Despite the widespread use of information technology, most enterprises and cooperatives have not fully embraced digital transformation due to the lack of a comprehensive production database, limited transparency of product origin, and insufficient connectivity and information sharing across various stages of production, management, logistics, and trade, according to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In addition, the implementation of information technology in quality management requires large investments, but  the resources of companies and cooperatives are limited, resulting in fragmented and unsynchronized investments, according to the department.

Nguyen Trong Long, Director of Hoang Long Cooperative (Thanh Oai District), recommended that relevant departments continue to provide guidance and training on digital skills to farmers to address these challenges and boost the use of information technology in production management and safe food supply chains.

He encouraged the creation of business accounts and online payment accounts to facilitate transactions on e-commerce platforms for businesses, cooperatives and producers.

In addition, he said, manufacturers should be given guidance on packaging procedures, connectivity and delivery in the process of buying and selling on e-commerce platforms in order to be part of modern distribution channels.

In this regard, Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Director of the Hanoi Sub-Department of Agro-Forestry and Fisheries Quality Management, said that the agricultural sector will continue to regularly cooperate with relevant agencies and telecommunication companies to organize training and provide guidance, knowledge and skills to agricultural enterprises, as well as promote the provision of digital services by agricultural agencies through social initiatives.

In addition, the department will create favorable conditions for companies, organizations and individuals to invest in projects that apply cutting-edge technology and digital transformation in agriculture, quality management and food safety, thereby effectively controlling the quality of agricultural products in the market, she said.

Embracing digital transformation

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi is making impressive advancements in modernizing its agricultural sector, with 285 high-tech, digitally transformed production models currently in operation.

These innovative models encompass 185 for crop farming, 45 for animal husbandry, 54 focused on aquaculture, and one that successfully integrates both crop and livestock practices. Collectively, these initiatives contribute approximately 40% of the city’s overall agricultural output. Key districts spearheading this transformation include Me Linh, Gia Lam, Thuong Tin, Dong Anh, Thanh Oai, and Dan Phuong, where the most effective applications are being implemented.

Hoang Thi Hoa, Director of the Hanoi Agriculture Development Center, highlights that these high-tech models not only showcase remarkable economic efficiency but also possess a strong market presence, demonstrating their suitability for the region’s agricultural landscape.

Hanoi is also actively expanding its network of safe agricultural production and consumption chains, which now totals 159. This includes 53 chains dedicated to meat products and 106 focused on vegetables. The initiative has attracted participation from a diverse array of enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers, creating a robust ecosystem for safe food.

Additionally, the city has established more than 40 protected trademarks, such as Ba Vi Hill chicken, Soc Son chicken, and Dai Thanh lychee, which help to promote local specialties and ensure quality. In partnership with 43 provinces, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is working to develop 926 safe food supply chains for the capital.

Alongside this, the department is collaborating with various sectors and localities to promote 58 models for safe agricultural production, including organic farming, VietGAP certification, and the application of high technology in agriculture. To further support these initiatives, the Hanoi People's Committee, as stated by Deputy Chairman Nguyen Manh Quyen, will allocate over VND10 billion (US$390,000) to help districts procure essential machinery and equipment for digital transformation in agriculture. This year, the program will focus on seven districts, providing assistance to 28 farms with a budget exceeding VND3.6 billion (US$140,000).

Looking ahead to 2025, the initiative plans to expand to eight additional districts, supporting 49 businesses with a budget of over VND6.5 billion (US$250,000). Hanoi’s agricultural sector remains committed to empowering producers, processors, and manufacturers in farming, forestry, and aquaculture, fostering the use of information technology to create secure and efficient agricultural supply chains.