In the 2024-2025 winter-spring rice crop, Điện Biên province launched for the first time a smart rice cultivation model designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This was considered an important step forward, simultaneously increasing the value of agricultural products while adapting to climate change and protecting the environment. The model was implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Environment in collaboration with NetZero Carbon, BSB Nanotech, and Spiro Carbon (together referred to as BNS) in the districts of Điện Biên, Mường Ảng, and Tuần Giáo (former). Nearly 86 hectares were cultivated with Đài Thơm, Séng Cù, and J02 rice varieties.

After just one season, thanks to the active support of agricultural officers and the efforts of farmers, the smart rice cultivation model delivered positive results. The yield of Đài Thơm rice reached about 74.56 quintals per hectare, 3 quintals higher than traditional planting, while Séng Cù reached over 51 quintals per hectare, 5 quintals higher than before. The model helped reduce 172 carbon credits, contributing to environmental protection in the fields. At the same time, farmers earned an additional income from carbon credit rewards of about VND 880,000 per hectare, raising their total additional income by VND 4.8-9.3 million per hectare of rice.

Trần Thị Lợi, a farmer from Livestock Team 2 in Mường Thanh ward, shared: “Previously, my family farmed according to old practices, mainly relying on experience. By joining the smart rice model, we were guided step by step by technical staff, from land preparation, seed selection, and sowing to fertilizing and crop care. As a result, the rice grew well, suffered less pest damage, and achieved higher yields while input costs decreased. In particular, the extra income from carbon credits is something completely new, giving us more motivation to continue with the model.”

The summary of the 2024-2025 winter-spring crop showed that the smart rice cultivation model had brought clear improvements in productivity, quality, and environmental benefits. With the close collaboration of the “four houses”, the State, scientists, businesses, and farmers, the agriculture sector expects the model will be expanded in the near future, contributing to the development of high-quality rice-growing areas along green and sustainable lines.

In Na Sang commune, in recent years, the Nam Dương Cooperative has surveyed and worked with households to convert low-yield farmland into wax gourd cultivation. To enhance value and apply modern production technologies, the cooperative has partnered with the Phú Mỹ Xanh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative to grow and care for gourds using clean, safe, and high-quality practices. The gourd beds are carefully tended, weeds and pests minimized; bamboo and wooden trellises replaced with mesh structures; and Israeli drip irrigation technology applied to maintain soil moisture, ensure fruit nutrition, and save labor costs.

According to Trần Hồng Quân, Chairman of the Na Sang commune People’s Committee: “When residents work with cooperatives and enterprises to apply technology in production, the results are clear. Production costs fall, yields increase, and products meet safety and quality standards. The wax gourd model aligns with the policy of crop restructuring, moving toward sustainable commercial agriculture. In the coming time, the commune will continue encouraging households and cooperatives to expand the model, while strengthening links with enterprises to ensure stable market outlets.”

Alongside smart rice and clean wax gourd cultivation, many high-tech agricultural models across the province are proving effective and are becoming the inevitable trend. These models not only increase yields and product quality while reducing costs, but also transform production thinking, shifting agriculture from small-scale to market-oriented production tied to value chains. In particular, the application of new techniques and technologies ensures agricultural products meet safety and environmental standards, opening opportunities to join larger supply chains.

A key factor in transforming production models is promoting digital transformation in agriculture. Recently, multiple programs and solutions have been introduced to integrate digital technology into production and product distribution.

According to Lê Xuân Cảnh, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the sector has been focusing on priority tasks, particularly the application of digital technology for environmental management, production modernization, and support for new rural development. Digital tools not only improve productivity and reduce costs but also change production mindsets, expand marketing channels, and help farmers access modern business methods.

Raising awareness and equipping officials and civil servants with digital skills has been considered a vital foundation. Since 2024, hundreds of participants have attended training courses on IT, data security, and software management. This has helped form a workforce capable of meeting the demands of digital transformation in agriculture and rural development.

Currently, the agriculture sector is strengthening cooperation with technology enterprises and telecom providers to develop digital infrastructure and expand applications such as crop area management, product traceability, and pest and disease forecasting for crops and livestock. These solutions help minimize risks, improve product quality, and create favorable conditions for the growth of e-commerce.

“Promoting agricultural sales through e-commerce platforms not only opens up broader and more transparent markets but also marks a new step for local agriculture in digital integration. With determination from the government and consensus from the people, agriculture is gradually becoming a driving force for rural economic development in a modern, sustainable direction,” Cảnh emphasized.