Science and technology drives circular agriculture forward

ĐBP - Circular economy in agriculture is a closed-loop production model where waste is not discarded but reused as input material, helping reduce pollution, protect the environment, and improve public health. Điện Biên province has identified the development of a circular agricultural economy as a core pillar in its sustainable farming strategy, closely tied to science, technology, and innovation.

To realize this goal, the provincial Department of Science and Technology has launched a series of research projects and transferred technological advancements into practice.

One standout initiative is the project “Sustainable safe vegetable production” implemented in Điện Biên district. After initial success, the model has been expanded to Thanh Xương and Pa Thơm communes, boosting cabbage yields to 3 tons per 1,000m2, an increase of 500kg compared to traditional methods. Profits rose by 15-20%, prompting a shift in local farmers’ mindset toward bio-safe production practices, minimizing pesticide use, and building a value chain for distribution. Participants have also learned to recycle agricultural by-products into fertilizers, reducing production costs and environmental impact.

Another success story is the application of scientific techniques in cultivating yellow pears in Háng Lìa commune (Điện Biên Đông district). Initially piloted on a 1-hectare plot involving five households, the project provided seedlings, materials, and technical support. After four years, the trees have yielded stable harvests, producing 10-15 kilograms of fruit per tree,  two to three times more than traditional methods. The model has since been scaled up across Háng Lìa and other communes, including Xa Dung, Tìa Dình, Pu Nhi, and Noong U, covering over 10 hectares and paving the way for a concentrated pear-growing region.

An employees at the Center for Information and Application of Scientific and Technological Advances takes care of cantaloupes.

Between 2020 and 2025, the province has rolled out 65 science and technology initiatives, the majority aimed at supporting agriculture and rural development. These research projects have been evaluated and transferred to relevant units and localities, yielding positive results. Notably, in agriculture, these efforts have helped provide scientific bases for strategic planning of key crops and livestock, and for building and scaling up technology-driven models to improve productivity, quality, and product value. This approach fosters sustainable agriculture, strengthens value chains, and boosts farmers’ incomes. Transferred technologies have consistently delivered 15-20% higher economic efficiency than traditional farming methods.

In recent years, various localities in the province have developed effective circular agriculture models, aiming for green growth. Agricultural waste such as livestock manure, straw, and crop residues is being recycled into fertilizers, animal feed, and raw materials for clean farming. The development of a circular agricultural economy is rooted in enhancing scientific research, applying and transferring advanced technologies, and improving the efficient use of resources. This not only adds value to agricultural products and increases the reuse rate of by-products but also helps protect the environment, generate jobs, and promote the transition to a green, low-emission farming system.

Under the province’s plan for “Developing science and technology applications to promote circular agriculture by 2030,” several key targets have been set. By 2030, at least 20% of agricultural science and technology projects will serve the circular economy. Post-harvest losses in major agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products are to be reduced by at least 0.5% annually. Half of all crop by-products will be collected, treated, and reused. In livestock farming, 40% of households and 70% of farms will adopt waste treatment and reuse technologies. Additionally, 50% of wood processing by-products will be recovered and reused. The plan also aims for 80% of farms and 50% of cooperatives to have access to circular technologies, with circular models delivering at least 20% higher value-added across agricultural value chains.

To achieve these goals, the province is implementing a comprehensive set of solutions: enhancing scientific research and adopting advanced technologies and closed-loop processes that conserve inputs, cut emissions, and promote the reuse of waste and by-products. It is also accelerating technology transfers in crop cultivation, livestock, aquaculture, forestry, and food processing; developing markets for circular agricultural products; strengthening commercial linkages; and supporting product branding and protection.

At the same time, efforts are being made to improve the legal and policy framework to attract investment in this field. The province is also stepping up international cooperation to acquire technology, capital, and expertise. Public awareness campaigns, training programs, and capacity-building workshops are being expanded to educate officials, farmers, and businesses on the principles and benefits of circular agriculture,  supporting the shift from a linear to a circular, green, and sustainable production model.

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