Attending the dialogue were leaders from units under the Directorate of Fisheries, some international organizations, such as German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Trade Sustainability Initiative (IDH) and the International Organization for the Conservation of Nature in Vietnam (WWF Vietnam), the Institute of Fisheries Economics and Planning (VIFEP), representatives of the Fisheries Sub-Departments of the Mekong Delta provinces, Research experts, scientists, seafood production and export enterprises, technology enterprises, and reporters.
The Aquaculture Roundtable Dialogue (ARD) is an initiative of the Directorate of Fisheries and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) within the framework of the Public Private Partnership of the Fisheries Sector (PPP Fisheries) group since 2014, under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Partnership in Vietnam (PSAV). This is an event to realize the Prime Minister's Decision No.749/QD-TTg dated on June 3rd, 2020 on National Digital Transformation Program to 2025, with a vision to 2030 for the agricultural sector in general and the fishery sector in particular. ARD will become an annual event for all parties to exchange and share sustainable development initiatives for Vietnam's fisheries sector.
ARD 2020 with the theme on digital transformation to improve sustainable aquaculture production and management in Vietnam is a forum for regulators, international organizations, experts and leading enterprises in the field of digital discussion aims to find digital initiatives and solutions for the industry. ARD 2020 will be attended by more than 100 delegates from the producers, breeders, feeders, processors & exporters, associations, central and local regulatory agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, professional social organizations and media agencies.
The seafood industry in Vietnam is gradually playing an important role in the national economy and has plenty of space to expand. In particular, aquaculture contributes significantly to the overall development of the industry. However, besides the opportunities the fisheries sector, Vietnam is facing many difficulties and challenges. Especially challenges are managing each factor in the value chain, managing the top factors, environmental management, disease management, production process management. One of the aims of the Strategy for the Vietnam Fisheries Sector is to improve supply management productivity by driving digital transformation. Digital transition with the use of modern facilities, information technology will help to systematize the data of the farming area, facilitate traceability, control of the climate and diseases, lead to the reduction of work load, improve the accuracy of management and tracking verification.
Speaking at the dialogue, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung said that the 2020 roundtable dialogue is an opportunity for all parties to share their experiences and learn about digitization, digital transformation and management technologies based on the internet of things (IoT), assessing the situation on the application of digital technologies in fisheries management and production. Digital transformation is a process that requires the participation and coordination of many stakeholders to develop a specific plan, including policy changes and support, management capacity building, using digital technology.
In the context of globalization, in order to increase the value of Vietnam's seafood products, we need a set of policies, institutions and capacities. When Vietnam joins Free Trade Agreements, Vietnam's aquaculture industry is facing the challenge such as the strong competition from other markets, technical barriers, product quality standards and traceability criteria. That is why producers, processors and exporters, especially input suppliers, are actively engaged in the process of innovation. Within the supply chain, innovation still plays a deciding role. Moreover, digital transformation also provides the basis for the creation and growth of e-commerce for the fisheries market leading to strengthening the connections among the value chain players: producers, dealers, distributors, management and consumption. The participation of all parties in the digital transformation process will help maximize the transparency of production input information, strengthen cooperation in the supply chain, and demonstrate the foundation for the cooperation between the two groups of state sector and private sector. It contributes to the implementation of the Prime Minister's Decision 749/QD-TTg dated on June 3rd, 2020 on National digital transformation program to 2025, with a vision to 2030. The program sets a digital economic target of 20% of GDP by 2025, 30% by 2030, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung emphasized.
At the dialogue, technology companies have introduced digital technology applications in the production and management of their farming areas; Digital solutions for environmental management of shrimp ponds. They also introduce solutions of applying information technology to the traceability of aquatic products and how to apply 4.0 technology from pond to dining table.
Speaking at the dialogue, Dr. Nguyen Anh Duong - Head of General Research Department, Central Institute for Economic Management, said that digital transformation in the agricultural sector in general, especially in farming management is an inevitable trend. This is also an opportunity to make the most of the potentials and advantages of Vietnam's seafood industry and take advantage of the opportunities gained from new generation Free Trade Agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA. Participating in new free trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, Vietnam needs to be transparent in production information, improve product quality, reorganize production chain, and improve competitiveness. market competition. The application of science and technology and digital solutions is indispensable and will help Vietnam seafood accelerate and affirm its position in the world market.
Mr. Tran Cong Khoi, Deputy Director of the Department of Aquaculture, reported that one of the most urgent tasks currently facing the aquaculture industry is the issue of fishing traceability. Traceability is one of the most challenging standards of existing consumer markets. Fisheries Law 2017 has a decree regulating sanctions to handle violations related to traceability. In addition, currently the Directorate of Fisheries has accelerated the application of information technology in fisheries traceability management. The Directorate of Fisheries has developed software related to breed and feed management and environmental monitoring. The Directorate of Fisheries is also implementing to issue farming area codes for shrimp farming households, shrimp farming businesses. Moreover, in order to contribute to the advancement of environmental principles in aquaculture, several companies have often used technology to digitize supply management.
Le Mai (theo tongcucthuysan.gov.vn)