The Australian Trade and Investment Commission recently hosted a pivotal workshop in Ho Chi Minh City focused on transforming Vietnam’s agricultural sector through modernisation and smart technologies. This event brought together policymakers, industry experts, business leaders, and agricultural technology innovators to explore solutions for driving productivity, sustainability, and value addition within Vietnam’s agriculture.
The workshop was part of a broader initiative to promote smart agriculture across the country, addressing key barriers, identifying opportunities, and tackling emerging challenges in the sector. Participants included representatives from diverse AgriTech companies and organizations involved in various facets of agriculture from raw material management and climate adaptation to digital transformation and supply chain optimisation.
One of the central themes was the need to improve labour productivity in Vietnam’s agriculture compared to other regional countries. Discussions highlighted how AgriTech could play a transformative role in bridging this gap by enhancing operational efficiency and introducing innovative farming practices. Experts emphasised the importance of clearly defining roles and responsibilities among stakeholders to build a cohesive innovation ecosystem that drives sustainable growth in the sector.
Private enterprises and startups were spotlighted as critical drivers of change. Several business leaders shared their experiences in overcoming common challenges such as fragmented small-scale production, inconsistent policies, limited capabilities of farmers, and the high upfront costs of adopting new technologies. Digital transformation initiatives, investments in resilient crop varieties, stronger value chain linkages, and comprehensive training programs were noted as effective strategies to boost productivity and climate resilience.
The discussion also touched on the vital role of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which constitute the majority of Vietnam’s business landscape and employ a large portion of the rural population. These SMEs face hurdles including limited access to financing, restricted export opportunities, technological barriers, and labour shortages. Addressing these challenges is essential for inclusive agricultural development and for ensuring that technological advancements reach all layers of the sector.
Vietnam’s AgriTech landscape is rapidly evolving, with over 300 companies working in critical areas like climate adaptation, environmental monitoring, automation, and product traceability. This growing ecosystem is attracting increasing investment, including significant funding rounds for promising startups, signaling strong confidence in the future of smart agriculture in the country.
Looking ahead, Vietnam aims to become a global leader in modern and sustainable agriculture by 2050. It plans to leverage its abundant fertile land, rising domestic demand for premium agricultural products, export potential, and opportunities to pioneer eco-friendly farming practices. By embracing digital innovation and advanced technologies, the country seeks to enhance the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of its agricultural output.
Industry leaders underscored the challenges faced in adopting technologies such as the Internet of Things and drone-based solutions, citing the high costs and need for infrastructure development. Nonetheless, the concept of smart agriculture hubs emerged as a promising model for streamlining value chains and maximising resource use. These hubs could serve as focal points for innovation, training, and technology dissemination, helping farmers and businesses unlock new productivity gains.
The aquaculture sector, an important part of Vietnam’s agriculture, also featured prominently. Stakeholders noted constraints including limited access to capital and slow technology uptake. Innovative approaches like saltwater-tolerant intercropping were proposed to boost productivity and enhance resilience to environmental changes.
Another area of focus was improving connectivity with developed countries through better infrastructure, quality raw material sourcing, and advanced weather and pest monitoring systems. These improvements are critical to fostering sustainable growth and delivering measurable benefits to farmers and agribusinesses.
The workshop concluded with strong commitments from business leaders and participants to deepen collaboration and accelerate the adoption of smart agricultural technologies. These efforts are geared toward creating a more digital, efficient, and sustainable agricultural sector that strengthens the global competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Ultimately, the outcomes of this workshop are expected to serve as a catalyst for Vietnam’s smart agriculture journey, positioning the country as a regional leader in agricultural innovation and setting the stage for sustainable, technology-driven growth in the decades ahead.
