High-tech agriculture is effective in drought-prone areas

Regulating water and nutrition sources... for plants using technology

In early July, amidst the dry wind and sun in the southern part of Khanh Hoa, we were present at the grape growing area of Thai An Agricultural Service Cooperative (Thai An village, Vinh Hai commune). Leading us to visit the lush green vineyard of over ^5,000m2 , Mr. Nguyen Khac Phong - Chairman of the Board and Director of Thai An Agricultural Service Cooperative shared: To achieve today's results, it is a long-term, persistent effort, pioneering in applying technical advances, bringing high technology into production of the members. Like other arid areas in the south of Khanh Hoa , each year, Thai An grape growing area has up to 6 dry months (from March to September), lacking water, so developing agricultural production is always a "difficult problem".

Grape growing area of Thai An Agricultural General Service Cooperative (Thai An village, Vinh Hai commune).

Grape growing area of Thai An Agricultural Service Cooperative (Thai An village, Vinh Hai commune).

Through many researches and experiments, Mr. Phong and the members of the cooperative have boldly invested in a greenhouse with a roof and applied a water-saving irrigation system. Irrigation water and nutrition for grapevines are adjusted via smartphone to regulate the appropriate amount of water, especially during the dry months. At the same time, the cooperative members have boldly planted new grape varieties that are suitable for the dry climate and require less water, such as black summer grapes (NH0126), black finger grapes (NH04102)... "Currently, more than 85% of the households in Thai An village are engaged in grape growing, and the cooperative alone has more than 20 hectares of grape growing. Thanks to the regulation of water resources and a reasonable nutritional regime, grapes grown in covered greenhouses have grown well, with a current yield of over 250 tons/ha. The current price of grapes ranges from 150,000 - 250,000 VND/kg depending on the type, bringing in high income; many products of the cooperative are made from grapes and grape varieties that have achieved 3-star and 4-star OCOP certification and are sold in large supermarkets in and outside the province " - Mr. Phong shared. Along with Thai An grape village, the grape villages: Van Hai (Phan Rang ward), Nho Lam (Thuan Nam commune) have now applied high technology on 85 hectares and also attract many tourists to visit and experience.

Not only grapes, many new crops are applied by farmers with technical advances and high technology in production, bringing high economic efficiency. Mr. Nguyen Binh Minh - Director of Song Dinh Farm Company Limited (My Son commune) shared: On the land that always faces drought and water shortage, the company has invested in 20 greenhouses to grow melon varieties transferred by the Nha Ho Cotton Research and Agricultural Development Institute ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ). Holding the golden, heavy melons, Mr. Minh happily said: "The melons are now nearly 50 "days old", about 15 more "days old" to harvest, the weight of the melons when harvested is about 1.8 - 2kg. With a greenhouse area of ^2,000m2 , the harvest yield is about 8 tons of melons. With the current garden price of 45,000 VND/kg, the income will be about 350 million VND.

Continued research on drought-tolerant crop varieties

In recent years, climate change, especially in the southern part of the province, has had a clear impact on agricultural production; many areas cannot be cultivated or have low productivity. Therefore, high-tech agriculture will be the optimal solution in farming to adapt to climate change.

Growing melon varieties in the greenhouse of Song Dinh Farm Company Limited (My Son commune).

Speaking to reporters, Dr. Mai Van Hao - Director of Nha Ho Cotton Research and Agricultural Development Institute (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said: Over the past 5 years, the institute has conducted research and applied science and technology to agricultural production, including high technology applications suitable for the local dry climate conditions. Typically, the design of greenhouses, net houses and control systems for water and nutrition suitable for crops at low cost. At the same time, the institute also researches new crop varieties such as: grapes, apples, mangoes, jackfruit, green asparagus, onions, garlic... to increase value per unit area, save costs and labor for farmers. Up to now, many farmers in the south of Khanh Hoa province have applied this model with an income of over 1 billion VND/ha/year. Although the initial investment cost is quite high compared to traditional agricultural production, the application of new technology in the long term will save costs, increase productivity and product quality due to the strictly controlled production process. At the same time, with the trend of developing high-tech agriculture in agriculture, using organic fertilizers, biological pesticides, safe to use... also improves soil nutrition, minimizes environmental pollution, and protects human health. Not only that, advanced agricultural models applying science and technology such as ecological agriculture and organic agriculture also serve the development of agriculture combined with tourism, contributing to diversifying local tourism products. "In the coming time, the institute will continue to research mechanization and automation in production stages, applying new techniques to minimize costs. At the same time, research on drought-resistant, heat-resistant, and salt-resistant crop varieties with outstanding economic value to help farmers achieve higher economic efficiency" - Dr. Mai Van Hao shared.

MA PHUONG - THAI THINH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/kinh-te/202507/nong-nghiep-cong-nghe-cao-phat-huy-hieu-qua-tren-vung-nang-han-40b5007/