Agricultural products grown in mountainous regions gain value through technology

The effective use of science and technology in agriculture is increasing the value of local products from ethnic minority and mountainous regions, allowing them to expand into new markets.

Transition from Fresh Fruit to Processed Products

The Loc Thuy Quynh Agricultural Cooperative in Phu Tho province has achieved a significant transformation in its red-fleshed dragon fruit cultivation spanning thirty hectares.

Moving beyond fresh fruit sales, the cooperative successfully extended the shelf life of its products thanks to the dragon fruit rice noodles it developed.

Goal of Opening Up to International Markets

Thanks to innovative products with extended shelf life, the cooperative has signed an official contract with a Chinese partner while also targeting supermarket chains in the Netherlands.

Cooperative manager Tran Thi Thuy stated that they faced various challenges during this process, such as capital, expert personnel, and technology application skills.

The Right Approach in Technology Transfer

Pham Quyet Tien, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Technology Support Research Institute, stated that the main problem is not merely a lack of modern machinery.

Tien emphasized that the solution is not chasing expensive technologies, but rather a transfer tailored to real needs, involving design and technical personnel training.

Digital Transformation and Skill Gaps

Bui Quang Cuong, Head of Human Resources Development at the Vietnam E-commerce Association, stated that digital technology narrows geographical distances.

However, it was noted that there are still prominent skill gaps in areas such as packaging, labeling, and creating an effective brand story during this process.