(VOVworld)  - The application of high-tech to agricultural production through public-private partnerships is revolutionizing the sector. This was the topic of a recent policy forum in Hanoi. VOV’s To Tuan has details.

Over the past 20 years, Vietnam has ensured its own food security while becoming one of the world’s leading exporters of rice, coffee, rubber, pepper, tea, and seafood. This achievement has been largely due to the application of advanced technologies to turn out competitive, high quality agricultural products. Following this trend, the Vietnamese Government has adopted a master plan for agricultural enterprises applying high technology. Under this scheme, by 2015 every province in key economic areas will have 3 to 5 enterprises and 2 to 3 zones applying high technology in agricultural production. The Government has also issued many policies to encourage investment in agriculture. Nguyen Van An, Director General of the Thai Hoa Group, says "Cooperation here doesn’t mean just relations between enterprises and farmers but cooperation among the Government, enterprises, farmers, and international economic organizations. Such relations can create an efficient public- private cooperation."

TH True Millk applies high-tech in its dairy cow feeding model. (Photo: D.H)

At a recent policy forum on high-tech applications in agriculture through public private partnership, a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reiterated the Government’s stance to outline more policies to attract domestic and foreign organizations to invest in agriculture. High-tech investment will create a firm foundation for the sector to develop sustainably. The initial success of the TH True Milk company is thanks to high technology applied to production. The company decided to purchase the entire package of technological know-how from the Israeli dairy sector. One hectare used to generate just 3,300 USD per year. It now generates from 24,000 to 72,000 USD per year using advanced technologies. Dang Van Dong who is working for the Vegetable Study of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, says ‘A number of farmers have used high-tech in vegetable cultivation, irrigation systems, and high - quality seed production. These are the first steps of an advanced agricultural industry’.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has submitted to the Government a plan to develop high-tech by 2020, when economic and technical norms for commodities should be 30% beyond the technologies currently in use.

To Tuan