Science and Technology Bring Highland Products to Distant Markets
Local delicacies of mountainous regions are gaining value through science, technology, and e-commerce, while standardization and a lack of digital skills remain key obstacles to be overcome.
Science, technology, innovation, and e-commerce tools play a critical role in increasing the value of unique local products in mountainous and ethnic minority regions and delivering them to distant markets. However, experts point out that significant challenges still exist in the areas of production, quality control, preservation, and digital skills.
The Potential of Highland Products
Mountainous regions and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities are home to high-quality and unique products thanks to their natural conditions, raw materials, and traditional production knowledge.
Current Obstacles in the Value Chain
The development of these products still faces various limitations in terms of productivity, scale, quality control, processing and preservation technology, and market access.
The fragmented nature of production and non-standardized processes lead to inconsistencies in raw material quality.
The Solution Role of Science and Technology
Science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation contribute to eliminating bottlenecks across the entire value chain, from the seed and raw material stage to production, processing, and distribution.
The primary goal of technology should be to solve local problems by establishing synchronized systems suited to the unique conditions of each region.
Four Key Areas of Transformation
It is stated that science and technology can drive the most significant changes in four main areas: standardization of seed and cultivation processes, mechanization and quality control, investments in pre-processing and deep processing, and digitalization of raw material areas.
It is important that good technology does not need to be expensive; instead, it must solve the right local problems, be usable, and provide measurable economic benefits.
Practical Challenges in Production
Tran Thi Thuy, Director of the Loc Thuy Quynh Agricultural Cooperative, stated that despite transitioning to industrial production, they face difficulties in manpower and record-keeping processes because cooperative members are elderly and their ability to use smartphones is limited.
E-Commerce and the Need for Digital Skills
Bui Quang Cuong, Head of the Human Resources Development Board of the Vietnam E-Commerce Association, emphasized that new demands regarding digital skills must be met for people in remote areas to sell goods in national and international markets.