Digital transformation - Leverage for modern agricultural extension

Digital transformation is identified as an inevitable trend, a lever to modernize agricultural extension work. This is also a breakthrough solution in bringing information and technology to people quickly and effectively in the current context.

An inevitable and increasingly clear trend is the strong participation of the private sector in agricultural extension work. Enterprises and cooperatives are no longer passive beneficiaries but have become effective “extensions” of the agricultural extension system. In particular, they have quickly grasped technology, becoming pioneers in applying digital agricultural extension.

A typical example is Dak Lak 2/9 Import-Export Company Limited (Simexco Daklak). In order to effectively manage and support the system of more than 50,000 farmer households linked in the sustainable coffee material area, this company has deployed zalo chatbox AI to provide direct technical advice, provide quick and accurate information on sustainable farming, fertilizer use, and pest control according to IPM standards. At the same time, the development of fanpages and online interaction channels has helped farmers easily connect, exchange experiences, and form a synchronous digital ecosystem in the chain, effectively serving the requirements of traceability and deforestation-free standards (EUDR) of the international market.

"Breakthroughs in science and technology and digital transformation will be the key driving force to help Dak Lak agriculture make a breakthrough. Agricultural extension must be a bridge to bring technical advances and innovations from institutes, schools, and businesses to the people" - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee .

Not only large enterprises, new-style cooperatives are also doing a very good job of agricultural extension in supporting farmers in digital transformation. For example, Thanh Binh Ea Sar Agricultural Service Cooperative (Ea Knop commune) has proactively organized training for members and associated households to aim at bringing lychee products to e-commerce platforms, promoting widely in the domestic and export markets.

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Director of Thanh Binh Ea Sar Agricultural Service Cooperative, shared: “Our goal is to deeply connect with people to produce according to the value chain, improve the quality and appearance of lychee to serve mainly for export. The support of the agricultural extension sector in technical training, guidance on cultivation and harvesting processes, and digital transformation has contributed significantly to helping the cooperative and farmers create consistent products, meeting the requirements of partners.”

Or the An Cu Sedge Mat Production and Tourism Cooperative (O Loan Commune) also closely cooperates with agricultural extension to support sedge growing techniques, train members in handicraft making skills and community tourism services. In particular, the Cooperative has actively applied social networking platforms to promote trade, advertise products and connect with travel agencies, bringing tourists to the craft village.

These practical examples show that digital agricultural extension is not a distant concept but an effective tool, helping to solve problems of geographical distance, time and human resources, bringing knowledge and market information closer to producers.

Tourists experience at An Cu sedge mat production, service and tourism cooperative (O Loan commune). Photo: Ngoc Han

Besides the encouraging initial results, the digital transformation process in agricultural extension work in the province still faces many difficulties and challenges.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, many agricultural extension officers are not yet fully equipped with knowledge about digital technology and new market requirements. On the farmers’ side, the difficulty in accessing and using smart applications is also a major barrier, requiring specific training programs on digital transformation skills.

Meanwhile, the technology infrastructure and database are still lacking and weak. Currently, the province does not have a shared agricultural database system, leading to a situation where information is scattered and lacks connectivity. The lack of a common platform makes it difficult to deploy tools such as electronic farming diaries or traceability monitoring software on a large scale...

According to the Department of Fisheries and Seas, in recent years, the Department has coordinated with the local agricultural extension system and related units to organize many agricultural extension activities and models, including the establishment of 16 cooperatives on aquaculture and aquatic services. This has contributed to promoting linkages and developing value chains in the aquaculture sector.

However, in order for the agricultural extension network to become an "extended arm" of the agricultural sector, it is necessary to promote the application of digital technology in online agricultural extension. At the same time, encourage businesses to participate in the aquatic agricultural extension ecosystem, provide seeds, feed, aquatic veterinary medicine and consume products; promote the transfer of science and technology through cooperation with research institutes, aquatic universities... For digital agricultural extension to truly become a solid bridge, it is necessary to have an overall strategy with thorough investment in technology infrastructure, training programs to improve digital capacity for both officials and farmers. Along with that is a strong change in thinking and management methods to catch up with the trends of the new era.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202509/chuyen-doi-so-don-bay-cho-khuyen-nong-hien-dai-db716d7/