Hanoi applies high-tech in urban agricultural development

The application of high technology in urban agricultural development in Hanoi plays an important role in the city’s socio-economic development and serves as a model for agricultural development in the whole country, Prof. Dr. Tran Duy Quy, former Deputy Director of the Vietnam Agricultural Institute, told the Vietnam Government Portal.

"The benefits of urban agriculture are huge, contributing to the greening of the city, increasing the amount of oxygen in urban areas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and providing safe food sources for urban residents," Quy said.

He added that Hanoi has many advantages and potential for urban agricultural development. "The city government considers high-tech agriculture as a sustainable development direction in line with the current trend." 

High-tech model for growing Phalaenopsis orchids in Dai Thinh Commune, Me Linh District, Hanoi. Photo: Trong Tung/The Hanoi Times

The city has about 30,800 hectares of aquaculture water surface. The adoption of high-tech farming models is particularly widespread in districts such as Ba Vi, Chuong My, Dan Phuong, Dong Anh, Gia Lam, Me Linh, Quoc Oai, Soc Son, Thuong Tin, Thanh Oai, and Ung Hoa.

In aquaculture, high technology has been widely applied in Ba Vi and Ung Hoa districts for sustainable development, water conservation, and ecological environmental protection. "More and more aquaculture areas using biotechnology will help minimize the impact of environmental pollution," Quy added.

In addition, Hanoi's outlying districts have promoted multi-value agriculture in conjunction with rural agritourism. Hanoi has so far recognized five city-level tourist destinations in suburban areas, associated with rural craft villages and ecological tourism.

A typical example is Phuc Tho District, which has approved the project "Development of flowers and ornamental plants associated with eco-tourism in Tich Giang Commune for the period 2022 - 2025, with a vision to 2030", with a total planned area of about 140 hectares.

Another example is Chuong My District, which focuses on the development of fruit tree and medicinal plant production areas in an organic direction combined with ecotourism in the communes and towns of Xuan Mai, Thuy Xuan Tien, Tan Tien, Nam Phuong Tien, and Tran Phu.

“To develop urban agriculture, Hanoi must emphasize ecological agricultural tourism and environmental protection; modern and organic agriculture that provides clean and high-quality food sources, meets local demand, and helps increase local farmers' income," Quy stressed.

High-tech agricultural center to be established in Hanoi

Hanoi is expected to soon establish a high-tech agricultural center that will incorporate domestic and international technological advances and new techniques, according to Nguyen Dinh Hoa, an official from the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

"In recent years, Hanoi has actively applied advanced technology in various fields of agriculture, including cultivation, breeding, processing, and trading of agricultural products. The city now has 160 high-tech agricultural models, including 105 that focus on crop production, 39 on animal husbandry, 15 on fisheries, and one that combines both crop and animal husbandry," Hoa told The Hanoi Times.

The city intends to further promote scientific and technological research, transfer, and application in agricultural production, processing, and business. "Hanoi is also actively working to improve the business environment to attract large enterprises and achieve a major breakthrough in the agricultural sector," he added.

Hoa said that the city is strengthening preferential policies for businesses, such as offering credit support, providing suitable premises, and increasing trade promotion. "The ultimate goal is to develop agriculture in a modern and sustainable way."

High-tech mushroom cultivation model in Soc Son District, Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

However, Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee told Hanoimoi that the implementation of high-tech agricultural practices has posed certain challenges.

He noted that applying high technology to agricultural production requires significant investment in infrastructure, production facilities, and human resource training.

Unfortunately, it's still a challenge to get funding for these projects. In addition to the small and uncertain consumer market for high-tech agricultural products, small landholdings hinder the use of science and technology in concentrated production areas, Quyen said.

To add value to agricultural products, provide sustainable livelihoods, and increase farmers' incomes, it is imperative to promote advanced technology in agricultural production, he continued. "Currently, the focus is on removing barriers in mechanisms and policies to build confidence among various stakeholders, including businesses, cooperatives, and farmers," he said.

Vu Van Dinh, Director of Phu Chuyen Agricultural Cooperative in Phu Xuyen District, told The Hanoi Times that the application of technology in agriculture requires a lot of work, with digitalization and field planning being key factors.

"Despite the challenges we face, barely a dozen of the 100,000 or so households oppose the removal of field boundaries to facilitate the widespread use of modern equipment. At the end of the harvest season, once the cooperative has implemented the technology and provided quality agricultural services, farmers only need to inspect their fields and take the rice home. In the meantime, they have time to engage in other activities," Dinh said.

To master advanced high technology, agricultural cooperatives need capital to purchase machinery and equipment and to launch training courses to improve farmers' skills. "Human resources are important for agricultural cooperatives to apply advanced technology on a large scale."

"We always create favorable conditions for farmers to apply scientific and technological advances in production. High-tech agricultural production is the right direction, which not only fits the situation and world economic integration but also helps farmers ensure stable production, sustainable agricultural development, and environmental protection," Dang Thi Cuoi, Director of Cuoi Quy Organic Agriculture Cooperative in Dan Phuong District, told The Hanoi Times.

Children enjoy taking photos at the high-tech Hoi Huong vineyard in Dan Phuong District, Hanoi. Photo: Trong Tung/The Hanoi Times

She added that the cooperative is developing a concentrated production area of more than 20,000 square meters, including 85 greenhouses and net houses, using advanced irrigation systems to conserve water and regulate temperature and light.

"In 2025, Dan Phuong aims to further develop agriculture in the direction of applying high technology, green agriculture combined with eco-tourism and experiential tourism, and promoting crop conversion in line with urban agriculture," Nguyen Thac Hung, Vice Chairman of the district People's Committee, told The Hanoi Times.