Biotechnology - tool for sustainable agriculture

To ensure sustainable agricultural development, biotechnology is one of the four science-technology fields prioritised by Son La province, aiming to create varieties of plants, animals, microbial strains, and products with high productivity, quality, competitiveness and economic efficiency.

 

Cordyceps products of Tay Bac Product Research and Development Company in Son La city.

Biotechnology is a high-tech field, based on the science of life, combined with processes and technical equipment, to create technologies that use the activities of microorganisms, and plant and animal cells to produce high quality products on an industrial scale, serving socio-economic development and environmental protection.

Currently, the province's agricultural production has achieved high and stable productivity, forming linkage chains, yet product quality still remains limited. The abuse of chemical pesticides, antibiotics, and growth stimulants in crop cultivation and livestock breeding leads to large chemical residues in agricultural products. Rudimentary processing technology also leads to low product quality and great losses, significantly affecting the competitiveness of products in both domestic and foreign markets. Biotechnology application is considered an important and key tool to promote safe agricultural development. Through science and technology projects, the province is focusing on a number of biotechnology research tasks, contributing to the development of safe and effective agricultural production, as well as the conservation and development of precious and rare genetic resources.

The Moc Chau area for the research, application and transfer of scientific and technological advances in agriculture and forestry under the Department of Science and Technology is a typical unit engaging in scientific research and bio-technology application in production. To date, it has planted many new varieties with high productivity and quality on a trial basis, such as Phalaenopsis orchids, seedless grapes, hybrid yellow melons, bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms, and lisianthus flowers; and researched biological products in pest control for plants, providing safe products for the market; and cooperated in propagating “Lan kim tuyen” (scientifically known as Anoectochilus setaceus Blume) by the tissue culture method.

In addition to introducing new varieties and increasing productivity in cultivation, biotechnology is widely applied in grafting techniques and off-season production. The province has put into production a set of varieties with different growing times, extended harvest time, and improved productivity and quality, including four sugarcane varieties, 19 corn varieties, five rice varieties, two tea varieties, one coffee variety, and 20 fruit tree varieties. It has grafted and improved over 13,000 hectares of fruit trees, mainly late ripening and regional longans; GL4, GL6 and Thai mangoes; Booth 7 avocado; Cao Phong and Vinh oranges; MC1 and Thai persimmons; and French and American peaches.

In aquaculture, the application of biotechnology in cage fish farming on hydroelectric reservoirs is widely carried out. Some units and businesses in the province have successfully produced fish larvae by the hand-stripping method, egg incubation using a jar system, the outcrossing method, and using chemicals to create high-quality, single-sex breeds. In the livestock sector, biotechnology is applied in embryo transfer for purebred dairy cows in Moc Chau, and artificial insemination of cows using high-quality Brahman cattle semen. Biogas technology or biological products are used to treat livestock waste to minimise environmental pollution. Additionally, active probiotics are used in household-scale feed fermenting and processing.

With its many benefits, biotechnology is increasingly being applied in agricultural production, regarded as a breakthrough solution for the comprehensive, green, and sustainable development of agriculture.

Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Son La diversifies night tourism experiences

    Son La diversifies night tourism experiences

    TOURISM -
    If Son La captivates visitors during the day with its lush tea hills, vibrant flower seasons, and majestic natural landscapes, then at night, travellers are immersed in the unique cultural activities of the province's ethnic communities. Under sparkling lights, graceful xoe dances, the resonant sounds of khen (panpipe), and community cultural exchange activities create a colourful nighttime atmosphere. Each experience offers a journey into local life, customs, and traditional cultural values that have been preserved through generations, contributing to Son La's distinctive appeal.
  • 'Lessons learned before province-wide collection and handover of martyrs’ remains samples

    Lessons learned before province-wide collection and handover of martyrs’ remains samples

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    The provincial Steering Committee for the search for, recovery and identification of martyrs’ remains held a meeting on June 15 to review lessons learned ahead of the province-wide collection and handover of samples of fallen soldiers' remains. Colonel Sa Minh Nghĩa, Political Commissar of the provincial Military Command and standing deputy head of the steering committee, chaired the event.
  • 'Son La brings agricultural products into digital space

    Son La brings agricultural products into digital space

    BUSINESS -
    Son La province currently has more than 85,000 hectares of fruit trees, with an annual output of over 500,000 tonnes. Alongside the expansion of production scale, increasing attention is being paid to finding stable markets and improving product value. The application of technology and e-commerce to bring agricultural products into the digital space, from livestreaming to introduce products to developing online stores and sales channels on social media, is becoming a new direction for local agricultural sale.
  • ' Volunteers in blue power exam season

    Volunteers in blue power exam season

    SOCIETY -
    As each exam season arrives, the blue shirts of youth and student volunteers once again become a familiar sight at test venues across the country, standing alongside candidates and their parents to provide support. During this year’s national high school graduation exam, the image of energetic and dedicated volunteers has continued to resonate, underscoring the pioneering and volunteering spirit of Vietnam’s younger generation in serving the community.
  • 'Son La speeds up disbursement of public investment for 2026

    Son La speeds up disbursement of public investment for 2026

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Minh Tien chaired a hybrid meeting on June 11 on the disbursement of public investment capital for 2026. The event saw the presence of leaders of provincial departments, agencies and sectors, and was connected online to communes and wards with assigned public investment plans for this year.
  • 'Gia Phu preserves colours of traditional brocade

    Gia Phu preserves colours of traditional brocade

    SOCIETY -
    For generations, the traditional brocade weaving craft has been closely tied to the daily life of the Thai and Muong ethnic communities in Gia Phu commune. Beyond preserving the distinctive cultural values of these ethnic groups, brocade products have now been diversified in design to meet market demand, helping to create jobs and improve incomes for local residents.
  • 'DNA samples taken to identify fallen soldiers' remains at To Hieu Martyrs' Cemetery

    DNA samples taken to identify fallen soldiers' remains at To Hieu Martyrs' Cemetery

    SOCIETY -
    The steering committees for the search for, recovery and identification of martyrs’ remains of Military Region 2 and Son La province, and To Hieu ward on June 11 jointly organised DNA sample collection for the identification of fallen soldiers’ remains at the ward Martyrs’ Cemetery. This move forms part of the nationwide 500-day campaign to accelerate the effort.
  • 'Son La Defensive Zone Exercise 2026 concludes successfully

    Son La Defensive Zone Exercise 2026 concludes successfully

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    After nearly two days of conducting the Son La provincial Defensive Zone Exercise 2026 with urgency, seriousness, and high responsibility, the Military Region 2 Exercise Steering Committee, in coordination with local authorities, held the closing ceremony of the exercise on June 10.