Do hi-tech farming, farmers collect 9 billion VND/ha
Bringing technology to the field
The image of "buffalo goes first" is gradually fading away, the plow follows” with tens of millions of small fields, Lately year, In the countryside of our country, more "high-tech fields" have appeared..
Over there, farmers apply technological achievements, change the method of production, working in the fields by remote control… to optimize the production process, improve the quality of agricultural products, environmental Protection, improve the lives and enrich the farmers.
At a conference on high-tech agriculture (Agriculture 4.0) was just held in Lam Dong, Mr. Da Cat Vinh – Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial Farmers' Association – comment, the application of information technology, Automation in the agricultural sector has contributed to improving production efficiency, increase product value and increase labor productivity…
Currently, there are many high-investment agricultural models applying information technology, Farmers boldly invest in production such as a greenhouse system with an automatic adjustment system, sensor device, camera to monitor plant growth, IoT technology… bringing the area of high-tech application of Lam Dong to increase rapidly, not only concentrated in the districts, become the focal point where many types of technology have been widely applied to create the brand name of the province's agricultural products. Information technology combined with electronics, telecommunication, Automation has solved many weather forecasting problems; Forecast of plant diseases, pet; forecast market consumption of agricultural products… Lately year, Lam Dong farmers have been able to access and apply information technology to agricultural production.
Mr. Vinh said, Lam Dong has over 56.000 ha area of high-tech agricultural production, average production value is about 400 million / ha; more advanced vegetable production model 500 million dong / ha / year, Especially hydroponic vegetables reach from 8 come 9 billions dong; flower 1,2 billions dong, High quality tea 250 million dong and coffee reached 240 million dong / ha / year…
Share success stories from hi-tech agriculture, Mr. Nguyen Cong Thua – Chairman of Anh Dao Cooperative (TP. Da Lat, Lam Dong) once said, The cooperative is applying greenhouse technology, greenhouses and applying automation equipment to irrigation.
Currently, the cooperative is growing VietGAP vegetables and fruits to supply to supermarket systems across the country and export, average consumption 50.000 domestic tons and 4.000 export tons. More revenue 10 million USD / year, Mr. Thua revealed.
Although bringing high economic efficiency, song, Mr. Vinh also admitted, area of land for high-tech application production, Information technology is still limited when it only accounts for about 20% arable land area, not commensurate with the potential and strengths of the province's agriculture.
The percentage of farmers applying information technology in production is still too small compared to the number of agricultural production households; models, Farms are successful in production thanks to the application of scientific and technological achievements, most of them are still quite young, most have received certain specialized training, sensitive and easy access to the achievements of information technology to apply in agricultural production.
The majority of farmers in Lam Dong still produce by traditional methods, fragmented land area, is still passive and has not mastered technology and is not confident yet, boldly apply achievements, efficiency of technology in production, breed.
To solve the problem for farmers who are willing to work in agriculture 4.0, According to Mr. Vinh, It is necessary to have sufficient capital and specific mechanisms and policies, More incentives to invest, encourage farmers to develop high-tech agriculture, This is the key step.
Mr. Chu Phu My – Director of Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, recently thought that, Although the cost is higher than that of mass-produced agricultural products, about 20-30%, but high-tech agricultural products are favored by the market, do as much as you can and consume it all.
Hanoi is available 133 high-tech agricultural model. Remarkable, 100% this model in farming, livestock production is up to export standards. But the quantity is still small, has not yet met the demand for local consumption, Mr. America admitted.
Next time, The city's agricultural industry will focus on building a brand, promotion, promote the development of more agricultural models 4.0, at the same time promoting towards export of these products. Inside, will focus on livestock and fruit trees.
Firstly, with the motto "many small areas add up to a large area", The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will mobilize people in a cooperative to jointly produce strong products with application of science and technology.. At the same time, encourage businesses to associate with farmers to advise on the process, techniques to create high value product chains, Mr. My shared.
Source: Vietnamnet Newspaper
AGRICULTURE IN THE FUTURE: NO NEED TO LAND AND SUN
AeroFarms, startup based in New Jersey, has found a more sustainable and radical solution to produce food for the world in the future. This technology is possible saving 95% country, 40% fertilizer and no use of pesticides.
According to the US Geological Survey, cultivated to use 70% The amount of fresh water is used for agriculture and only about a quarter of it can be recycled after use. Cultivation also requires large amounts of land and adequate amount of sunlight.
AeroFarms thinks they have a better solution. The company's farming method uses very little water and requires no soil or sunlight. The whole process takes place indoors, usually in an old warehouse, means that in theory, Any place can become a place of cultivation.
The New Jersey-based startup is the brainchild of Ed Harwood, Professor at Cornell College of Agriculture. Year 2003, Harwood invented a system to grow plants on cloth material he created.
Under the cloth was not soil, instead, The roots are misted with rich nutrients. Harwood patented his invention and founded Aero Farm Systems. The reason the company got its name because "aeroponics" is a method of growing trees that does not use soil or water. Aero Farm Systems sells this specialty growing system, but it was just a side project of Harwood and did not generate much revenue.
The turning point came in the year 2011, when David Rosenberg, founder of Hycittle waterproof concrete company, and Marc Oshima, a veteran marketer in the food and restaurant industries, noted the inefficiency of traditional farming and viewed this as an investment opportunity.
The duo began to explore potential farming methods and in the process turned their attention to Aero Farm Systems. They liked Harwood's brainchild so much that they offered to pump money into the project. Exchange, they want to be co-founders. At the same time, They also suggest some changes in the business model: Rosenberg and Oshima see a greater opportunity to optimize farming and sell the crops themselves.
Get Harwood's consensus, Aero Farm Systems has become AeroFarms. Harwood, Rosenberg and Oshima act as co-founders. They buy old facilities in New Jersey - a steel mill, a club, a paintball gun center - and turn them into indoor farms.
Every farm of these AeroFarms grows carrots, cucumber, potatoes and main product – premium sprouts – on stacked trays. These products are then sold to East Coast grocery stores including Whole Foods, ShopRite and Fresh Direct as well as the dining rooms of businesses like Goldman Sachs and The New York Times.
When cultivation can take place locally all year round, AeroFarms hopes that they can offer newer fresh products at a lower price, Because shipping costs are kept to a minimum.
In addition, AeroFarms collects hundreds of thousands of data points at each of its facilities. This allows them to easily change the LED lighting system to control the taste, structure, plant color and nutrition. The data also allows the startup to adjust variables like temperature and humidity to optimize crop yields.
Theo AeroFarms, This process is very effective: This farming method has a fold yield 130 times per ft2 compared to traditional ranch, from a crop yield perspective. An Aero Farm is more economical 95% water and 40% fertilizer compared with traditional farming, at the same time do not use pesticides. Plants often lose words 30 come 45 days to grow. While, High quality leafy green vegetables that make up the bulk of the company's production need at least 12 day.
AeroFarms does 120 Staff, mobilize more 100 million dollars, from businesses including Goldman Sachs and GSR Ventures.
AeroFarms argues that their farming methods are especially useful in regions with a climate that is not farming friendly., or where water or soil is scarce. This startup is currently owned 9 farm, including locations in Saudi Arabia and China. AeroFarms has plans to expand up 25 farm within 5 next year.
Organic agriculture production in Hanoi: Clearly defined strategy, create the right direction
Hanoi city has been implementing many organic agricultural models, Initial steps bring remarkable effects. This is a suitable direction for the development trend of modern agriculture. However, to replicate this model, besides mechanisms and policies to attract producers, enterprise, There is a need for a market strategy for organic agricultural products to have a foothold.
Manufacturing, Consume evenly… entanglement
Hanoi city is one of the regions that are strongly developing organic agriculture, with a total area of about 80-100ha, mainly concentrated in districts: Soc Son, Long Bien, Thach That. However, to develop organic agriculture in the current context, Hanoi has to resolve a number of problems early, from production to product consumption.
Ms. Hoang Thi Hau, Chairman of Thanh Xuan Commune Farmers' Association (Soc Son district) said, Organic vegetable products of Thanh Xuan commune are highly appreciated by consumers for their quality. However, It is difficult to expand the cultivated area because of the strict production process, It takes time for soil reclamation, creating irrigation water to meet quality requirements. Not to mention the relatively large investment in production (well system, water pipe, power line, preliminary treatment house, compost house…), while the State has not had enough policies to attract businesses to invest in this area.
Production is like that, consumption is equally arduous. Ms. Trinh Thi Nguyet, Chairman of Dong Phu Organic Agriculture Cooperative (Chuong My district) information, current average per crop, Dong Phu commune farmers planted 25 ha of organic rice, but the cultivation is hard, Take the credit as profit because output is not stable. New only 60% The products of cooperatives are sold to enterprises and farmers still sell through traders, so the prices are low, even under price pressure.
The production, Organic product consumption is difficult due to many reasons. From a consumer perspective, Ms. Do Thi Thu Ha, in Xuan Dinh ward (Bac Tu Liem district) share: “Compared to conventional products, prices of organic crops are more expensive. My family has small children so they want to use safe products for health. However, do not know whether it is true quality and safety or not? So, I can't help but be concerned, consider when choosing organic agricultural products ".
According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture&Rural Development Center of Hanoi Ta Van Tuong, Organic agricultural production is facing many difficulties because the land fund for organic agriculture in Hanoi is not much and it takes time to improve.. Small scale, The investment cost is large, so the cost of organic produce is often higher 5-6 times compared with conventional production. Other way, Due to the lack of certification as well as a set of specific criteria for organic agricultural products, it is difficult for consumers to distinguish from other products., there is the mentality of spending large sums of money on foods that are uncertain about the quality.
Need a market strategy
To replicate organic agricultural models and bring products to penetrate deeply into the market, Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuoi – organic vegetable growers in Dan Phuong commune (Dan Phuong district) offer, Local authorities need a mechanism, Small business facilitation policies, Households rent land for organic agricultural production; at the same time investing in infrastructure, cost reduction for units in the production process. Along with that is possible a one-time support 100% expenses for product certification in accordance with Vietnamese standards on organic agriculture (first issue or reissue). According to Ms. Duong Thi Lanh, in Dong Phu commune (Chuong My district), Functional industries need to assist producers in branding, link with businesses in product consumption… At the same time, issue a complete organic agricultural production process for people to apply in practice.
In a different perspective, Chairman of the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association Ha Phuc Mich said, Hanoi needs to define a market strategy, create the right direction, development according to planning, based on the favorable geographical location of each locality to create a unique product. The city should plan a large enough land bank in places that can afford organic agriculture and attract businesses to invest.. Along with that is the tax reduction policy, tax exemption for businesses for a definite period, production cooperatives, processing and consuming organic agricultural products.
In this regard, Director of Department of Agriculture&Ha Noi Chu Phu My Rural Development said that, Expanding the area of organic agricultural production in Hanoi takes time, expense. Besides capital support mechanisms, training to transfer science and technology, Hanoi will build 5-10 organic agricultural production model with advanced technical process, have tight control, strict standards as prescribed, Manufactured products are certified according to national regulations, organic agriculture ... To support market development, The city will organize consumer awareness campaigns. Along with that is the construction of store incentive mechanisms, supermarket purchasing products to ensure stable output for organic agriculture ...
