Revolutionising agriculture and rural economy through digital transformation: Bridging theory with practice

Abstract

Digital transformation presents an avenue for fostering the sustainable growth of agriculture, rural economies, and the farming community. Findings from comprehensive desk research and field surveys conducted across three provinces - Son La, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Thuan in 2023 - indicate that the agricultural sector has initiated its journey towards digital transformation. The strategy for digital transformation prioritises the establishment of big data systems, digital infrastructure, and digital platforms, alongside initiatives aimed at modernising state governance and fostering e-commerce. The rural economy benefits from rapidly developing digital infrastructure, easy Internet access for people, digital technology platforms in business management, and expanding consumer markets through e-commerce. Nonetheless, digital transformation also presents numerous challenges. Drawing from theoretical frameworks and practical evaluations, proposed solutions entail the development of a comprehensive architecture for digital transformation within the agricultural sector. This includes the establishment of a national digital database for agriculture and rural economies, incentivising investments, deploying digital technologies, and enhancing the digital literacy of farmers through capacity-building initiatives.