In recent years, the application of scientific and technological advances in agricultural production in Kim Boi district of Hoa Binh province has brought about positive changes. People have shifted from traditional production methods to centralised and large-scale ones, bringing plant varieties and livestock with high economic value into production, helping to improve economic efficiency in the same cultivated area and increasing local people's income.

To create favourable conditions for people to access scientific and technological advances, every year, the district carries out many support activities such as organising seminars and training courses to share experience. The district’s Division of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to coordinate with specialised agencies and agricultural service cooperatives to provide training for local residents relating to agricultural production models that are suitable to the locality’s climate conditions, soil, and production practices. Therefore, the mechanisation ratio in land preparation and caring stages reached 99.5% and 92%, respectively, while that of the harvesting stage met 25%.

Bui Van Thien, head of Mo Khoac residential area in Bo town, said that in the past, farmers sprayed pesticides manually. Although they were equipped with protective equipment such as raincoats, gloves, and boots, they still exposed to the toxic chemicals, which might affect their health, he noted.

Upon hearing about the effectiveness of using drones to spray pesticides, he registered to use this service for the subzone’s rice cultivation area in this year's summer-autumn crop, Thien said.

He went on to say that agricultural production becomes easier with the support of machines.

According to Nguyen Thi Minh Anh, Deputy Head of Kim Boi district’s Division of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with using hybrid rice varieties and high-quality rice for cultivation, the district has synchronously applied techniques such as system of rice intensification (SRI) and integrated pest management (IPM), especially using drones to spray pesticides.

Regarding animal husbandry, thanks to the application of scientific and technological advances, many farms have reduced production costs, minimised disease infection and environmental pollution, and increased economic efficiency.

This move helps improve the competitiveness of products in the market and reduce labour and production costs. The deployment of scientific and technological advance transfer models has contributed to enhancing economic efficiency by 15 - 20% compared to traditional farming areas.

To promote the application of scientific and technological advances in agricultural production, Kim Boi district will continue to pilot new varieties in cultivation and animal husbandry in the coming time, Anh said.

Production models that apply scientific and technical advances to achieve high economic efficiency will be expanded along with models in line with Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) and organic standards to meet market requirements. The district will facilitate linkages between farmers and businesses, ensure the sale of products, generate jobs, and raise income for rural workers, she added.