Dong Thap: Taking economic efficiency and market "positioning" to restructure agriculture

With the focus on promoting restructuring, agricultural production activities in the province have had positive changes, initially bringing many results. However, looking at the whole picture, the agricultural sector still has "old" difficulties, and solutions are needed for more sustainable development. POSITIVE STEPS

For a long time, many farmers have been caught up in the cycle of “good harvest, low price, good price, bad harvest”, sometimes even having to be “rescued”. The reason is fragmented production, lack of connection, following trends…

Farmers in Tan Phuoc 2 commune promote the application of mechanization and science and technology in rice production.

Not to mention, the quality of agricultural products is also a "barrier" that makes it difficult for farmers to expand their markets, especially to access demanding markets. Therefore, to gradually overcome this difficulty, the first factor is to change the mindset.

Farmers must change their thinking, for long-term benefits, to catch up with the trend and increase the value of agricultural products. In fact, many farmers in the province have shifted from traditional production to the association model.

In early August 2025, we were present in the vegetable growing area in the eastern part of the province. Although vegetable prices have dropped sharply, Mr. Ngo Duc Tuan and his wife (Hoa Thanh hamlet, Long Binh commune) are still working enthusiastically under the scorching sun.

Because when joining the cooperative, Mr. Tuan and his wife no longer have to worry about output or prices. Mr. Tuan said that the family's 3 hectares of mound land used to grow vegetables, the prices were unstable, and at times they had to be uprooted because the prices were too low and no one would buy.

According to the Provincial People's Committee, in the 2020-2025 period, the restructuring of the agricultural sector has brought about comprehensive and positive results, clearly demonstrated through strong and effective transformation in key areas. The added value of the agricultural - forestry - fishery sector grew by an average of 3.34%/year.

Specifically, in the field of cultivation, there is a structural shift towards increasing quality and meeting export market demand, focusing on developing key industries such as rice, crops, ornamental flowers and fruit trees in a specialized and sustainable direction.

An important achievement is the promotion of concentrated production organization, expansion of the area granted with growing area codes and traceability, creating a clear competitive advantage for the province's agricultural products.

In livestock farming, the industry structure has clearly shifted towards reducing the scale of small households and developing concentrated livestock farming according to the farm model. The whole province currently has 2,646 farms, of which 5 large-scale farms have been granted certificates of eligibility for livestock farming, contributing to stabilizing the total herd and improving economic efficiency.

The aquaculture sector alone continues to grow strongly in depth, with total aquaculture output estimated at 930,000 tons (an increase of 223,000 tons compared to 2020).

The accumulated farming area reached 22,756 hectares (an increase of 2,212 hectares compared to 2020), of which 617 hectares were certified according to advanced standards, ensuring quality for export.

One of the highlights is that digital transformation in agriculture is considered a core driving force, widely applied in many fields with models such as: agricultural digital data platform; smart irrigation system; drone application in sowing and spraying; synchronized mechanization and automation of barns have been widely replicated.

These applications not only help reduce costs and increase productivity, but also make information transparent and enhance value for the entire agricultural product chain.

Since 2017, he has joined the Hoa Thanh General Agricultural Cooperative to grow vegetables such as water spinach, Malabar spinach, and amaranth according to VietGAP standards; the products are purchased by the cooperative at 4,500 VND/kg. Mr. Tuan said: “The cooperative purchases at a fixed price, ensuring that farmers have a good profit. Now, we only focus on production according to the process, ensuring quality products, beautiful designs and high productivity, without having to worry about prices and output.”

In the digital age, diligence and hard work are not enough, farmers need to grasp the trend, boldly apply science and technology to production to improve productivity and product value. Mr. Nguyen Van Hai (Tan Hung Dong hamlet, Tan Phuoc 2 commune, Dong Thap province) is a veteran farmer in Dong Thap Muoi region, currently cultivating 5.5 hectares of rice.

“The days of “muddy feet and hands” are over, farmers here have now changed. All stages from plowing, harvesting, spreading fertilizer, spraying pesticides are done by machines. In recent years, science and technology have developed more and more, so I have hired drones to do all the sowing, spraying, and spreading fertilizer. Farming is now very easy, now if you want to spray pesticides or spread fertilizer, you just need to call and someone will bring the machine to do it for you, the rental price is also reasonable.”

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

In addition to positive results, agricultural production in the province is also facing many difficulties and challenges. Accordingly, agricultural development is not really sustainable. Production scale is mostly small, the application of high technology in farming is limited due to high investment costs and lack of strong enough support policies. The capacity of cooperatives is still weak, slow to innovate, and has not really become a solid support for farmers.

Mr. Ngo Duc Tuan (left cover) in Hoa Thanh hamlet, Long Binh commune is not worried about output thanks to producing vegetables according to VietGAP standards and having output purchased by the cooperative.

According to Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Thap province Le Ha Luan, in the coming time, the province's agricultural sector aims to develop sustainably, harmonizing both socio-economic and environmental aspects. One of the main orientations and solutions is to transform from agricultural production to agricultural economy.

The provincial agricultural sector will continue to restructure in the direction of taking economic efficiency and the market as the orientation; focusing on developing closed value chains closely linking farmers - cooperatives - enterprises, so that all stages from production to processing and consumption are smooth.

Developing green, organic, and circular agriculture is the direction that the province is focusing on implementing. Accordingly, the province will encourage the expansion of organic and ecological agricultural models that are friendly to the environment; gradually reduce the abuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, instead, utilize agricultural by-products (straw, rice husks, waste) to make organic fertilizers and animal feed, creating a cycle of resource reuse, helping to reduce costs and emissions for the industry.

One of the important orientations is the application of high technology and digital transformation. Accordingly, the province will promote mechanization, automation and application of IoT and AI technologies in farm management and production to improve productivity and quality of agricultural products; promote digital transformation in agriculture such as: Deploying electronic traceability systems, e-commerce platforms for agricultural products; making market information transparent and supporting farmers to connect directly with consumers.

The province will proactively implement solutions to prevent and combat natural disasters and adapt to climate change in agriculture, as well as continue to invest in irrigation works, dykes, flood control sluices and saltwater intrusion prevention projects along the Tien River and Dong Thap Muoi region to protect production areas from floods, droughts and saltwater intrusion. At the same time, it will replicate smart, low-emission farming models to minimize negative impacts on the environment.

In addition, to move towards sustainable agriculture, the province will enhance the role of agricultural cooperatives, considering them the core in linking production and consumption; focus on supporting capacity building for cooperatives, cooperative groups and encouraging cooperative economic models in all industries. At the same time, continue to promote the new rural development program, linking rural infrastructure development with production development and improving the material and spiritual life of people in rural areas.

“The above solutions aim to build a modern, green, efficient and sustainable agriculture; maintain the leading role of high-tech agriculture in the region. Dong Thap strives to become a center for processing, logistics and sustainable agricultural production in the Mekong Delta, harmonizing economic value and responsibility to the environment and society,” said Mr. Le Ha Luan.

MINH THANH

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/kinh-te/202508/dong-thap-lay-hieu-qua-kinh-te-va-thi-truong-dinh-vi-tai-co-cau-nong-nghiep-1047849/