Tangible results

Điện Biên is naturally endowed with climate and soil conditions favorable for agricultural and forestry development. Scientific research tasks in the province have mainly focused on these strengths, especially on specialty crops and valuable medicinal plants.

Typical examples include the project “Applying Scientific and Technological Advances to Build High-Tech Melon and Korean Melon Cultivation Models in Điện Biên province.” The model successfully established production of Kim Hoàng Hậu melons and netted melons in net houses meeting VietGAP standards, adapted to local ecological conditions, and developed safe intensive farming of Kim Hoàng Hậu melons in open fields following VietGAP standards. This created a pilot model for high-tech agriculture in the province.

Another project, “Applying Scientific and Technical Advances to Build Agricultural Production Models,” transferred and completed three technical processes: cultivation of VH6 pear trees, planting VA06 grass, and integrated farming of five fish species (tilapia, grass carp, carp, silver carp, and mrigal). These models helped restructure crops and livestock, raising incomes and improving economic conditions in remote areas.

In biotechnology, the provincial Center for Science and Innovation has preserved, conserved, and developed plant genetic resources while testing and finalizing production processes for new plant and animal varieties. Tissue culture propagation has been maintained for orchids (forest orchids, phalaenopsis, cymbidium), flowers (gerbera, chrysanthemum), strawberries, sugarcane, bananas, ornamental foliage plants, cordyceps, and biological products (Trichoderma, Metarhizium anisopliae). The Center has also conserved and developed rare, high-value local genetic resources at risk of decline, such as upland sticky rice, Tủa Chùa purple taro, Điện Biên black sesame, Mường Nhà oranges, Mường Pồn oranges, Tủa Chùa Shan tuyết tea, precious timber (Pơ mu, agarwood, camphor, red hopea, yellow hopea), rare medicinal plants (Codonopsis, Disporum, Gynostemma, Paris polyphylla, Polygonatum, Smilax), and endangered fish species (Hemibagrus, Spinibarbus, Bagarius, Acrossocheilus).

According to  Nguyễn Anh Dũng, Director of the provincial Center for Science and Innovation, tissue culture of specialty crops has produced disease-free, high-quality seedlings. In the near future, the Center will be able to supply farmers with high-quality, fast-growing seedlings to meet production demands.

Looking forward

So far, the provincial Center for Science and Innovation has implemented 13 provincial-level science and technology tasks. Most recently, it joined in piloting the project “Applying High-Tech Solutions in Tomato Production in Điện Biên province.” By 2026, the project will complete three processes: producing grafted tomato seedlings in net houses, cultivating high-tech commercial tomatoes in net houses, and cultivating high-tech commercial tomatoes in open fields suited to local conditions.

These projects have helped disseminate advanced agricultural techniques, animal husbandry methods, and IT applications to local farmers, contributing to crop and livestock restructuring aligned with the province’s development strategy.

With aspirations to become a strong unit with sufficient scientific and technological capacity to meet innovation demands, particularly in agriculture and forestry, the Center is pursuing comprehensive solutions. These include building high-tech and smart agriculture demonstration models, expanding tissue culture for citrus and specialty crops, applying biotechnology in agriculture and post-harvest processing, and developing local specialty seed sources.

The Center also collaborates with sectors and localities to guide the broad application of domestic and international scientific achievements in production, daily life, and environmental protection. It organizes training and technology transfer activities to support farmers in replicating local specialty products and building cooperation strategies with institutes, universities, and research centers in biotechnology, post-harvest technology, high-tech agriculture, and ecological environment.