High-tech agriculture is one of five key sectors being developed in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province. VNS Photo Văn Châu

Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu –  As many as 61 companies have registered to invest in high-tech agriculture projects on an area of nearly 3,200ha in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

The number of such companies has increased by 21 compared with the same period last year.

The southern province is making efforts to develop high-tech agriculture so that it can grow high-quality products with high yields.

The typical technologies used in high-tech agriculture in the province are membrane houses, net houses, and economical irrigation systems using fertilizer, hydroponic technology, and monitoring technology that help adjusts the temperature and humidity remotely.

Some 131 farms equipped with modern technology raise pigs and poultry, accounting for 27.5 per cent of poultry and over 60 per cent of pigs raised in the province.

Digitisation in farming has brought the agricultural sector in the southern province to a new stage of development by helping farmers improve cultivation methods and optimising the use of soil, seeds, and weather and market information.

Provincial authorities said the use of digital farming has enabled farmers to improve quality and their incomes.

The Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu People’s Committee's plan to develop high-tech agriculture by 2020 towards 2025 involves setting up seven areas to develop digital farming.

The seven areas are located in Đất Đỏ, Xuyên Mộc and Châu Đức districts and Phú Mỹ Town, with a combined area of 5,000ha. 

Under the plan, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu has set a goal of modernising agriculture by 2020 and improving yield, quality and competitiveness.

It has set an annual growth target of 4.5 per cent for the sector. High-tech agriculture products will account for 30 per cent of total agricultural value by 2020, and rise to 40 per cent in 2025.

To achieve targets, the province has invested a lot of money in infrastructure, and in upgrading electricity, irrigation and road systems.

Đất Đỏ District is submitting plans to develop a high-tech agriculture centre spreading over 253ha in Phước Hội Commune.

Bà Rịa City is also planning to develop a digital farming centre on an area of 300ha to grow vegetables, fruits and flowers.

High-tech agricultural development has changed local farmers’ mindsets, causing them to become more active in improving quality, seeking markets, and harvesting. – VNS