For Huỳnh Tấn Việt in Đồng Nai City, growing mushrooms no longer depends mainly on experience and manual labour.
At his black ant mushroom farm in Lộc Ninh Ward, he monitors and adjusts temperature and humidity through a smartphone-controlled system. Previously, even a sudden temperature change could affect mushroom quality, while tending the crop took considerable time and effort.
Việt invested in an enclosed, temperature-controlled growing facility. Now, even when away from the farm, he can check conditions and adjust them promptly using his phone. “I have been using this model for more than a year and have seen quite clear results,” he says.
Better control has helped the mushrooms grow more evenly, improve quality consistency and reduce losses. Việt Farm Co-operative has three mushroom houses and produces nearly 7.5 tonnes per crop.
Farmers and co-operatives also need customers and regular sales. At Thái Hòa Phát Co-operative, digital tools help potential partners learn about its produce and supply capacity.
Bình Phước Ward launched the “Bình Phước Digital Co-operative” website to promote products and services, describe successful businesses and provide government information. It should also show production volumes, food safety certificates, sources and partnership needs.
The Hàng Gòn Beekeeping, Trading and Services Agricultural Co-operative has increased sales through e-commerce and social media, helping it sell 20 tonnes of honey a year and about 20 processed products.
The city’s co-operative alliance has supported farmers through trade programmes, fairs, exhibitions, introductions to business partners, product marketing and training in technology, management and online sales. The work has helped co-operatives reach buyers seeking products under the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme.
Larger distribution networks require more than putting products online. Co-operatives must meet requirements for quality, price, packaging, traceability and supply quantities.
Building stronger links
Technology can improve production and open new sales channels, but lasting growth depends on stronger links between farmers, co-operatives, businesses and consumers. Dong Nai aims to sell more than 70 per cent of its main agricultural products through linked producer, processor and distributor networks.
Digital platforms make production information easier to access and help farms and co-operatives promote products beyond local markets. The work supports Politburo Resolution No. 57, issued in December 2024, on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.
Việt is taking part in the 2026 “Digital-era Đồng Nai Farmers” competition, which has entries from 95 communes and wards. His mushroom business has raised his family’s income, created jobs and helped local farmers, especially older people, use smartphones to manage production.
Phạm Văn Minh, deputy chairman of the Lộc Ninh Ward Farmers Association, says digital tools are changing local farmers’ work. “Việt’s use of technology to operate the co-operative demonstrates farmers’ capacity for innovation in the digital age and contributes to the development of greener and more sustainable agriculture in the city,” he said.
Sources: Viet Nam News
