(VOVworld) – The application of advanced technologies in new rural development has boosted rural and mountain development and improved local living conditions. VOV’s Van Anh reports…

A program to boost oyster farming for food in Binh Dinh province has generated jobs and contributed to poverty reduction for local fishermen. In the past, oyster farming resulted in low productivity due to poor breeds. The local fishermen’s decision to apply advanced technologies to improve oyster breeds has increased productivity from 3.2 tons/ha to 25 tons/ha while oyster prices have risen 30%. Pham Thi Thanh Huong is head of Binh Dinh province’s program to boost oyster farming: "Thanks to this program, local people have boosted oyster productivity 8 fold. The market demand for high-quality oysters has increased significantly. Some local households have used their own money for an initial investment in this trade and they want more specific water surface planning to support their oyster farming activities."

In Bac Giang province, farmers have been taught to apply advanced technologies to growing mushrooms and fruit trees, and to aquatic farming. Application of the vast-field model together with mechanization of every step of the farming process has cut input costs while increasing productivity. Local farmers no longer have to worry about finding customers thanks to a closer cooperation with distributors. Nguyen Duc Kien is director of the Bac Giang provincial Department of Science and Technology: "More effective programs like this will lead to huge changes in poverty reduction and new rural development. We’re looking for ways to expand such programs and models in localities to promote the successful application of science and technology in agricultural and economic development."

The Ministry of Science and Technology has applied and transferred more than 4800 technologies and 2500 models of technology application in 62 cities and provinces. Minister Nguyen Quan said: "The application of science and technology to agricultural practices has proved to be effective and helped localities boost their new rural development. It has also improved ethnic people’s living conditions and contributed to national security and defense, and has improved the quality of several products approved by the Prime Minister, such as rice, catfish, and mushrooms." 

From 2016 to 2025 the Ministry aims to boost the application of science and technology in new rural development, especially in mountain and ethnic areas.