Drone technology enhancing rice farming in Viet Nam

Agriculture remains a vital pillar of Viet Nam’s economy, contributing to approximately 14 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and employing nearly 40 percent of the workforce. To drive sustainability and efficiency in rice production, the Government of Viet Nam, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is promoting digitalization and precision farming solutions.

One key initiative, financed by FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) under the special allocation on mechanization and agricultural equipment (in the context of high-quality seeds) and jointly supported by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (RAP), focuses on drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) applications in rice farming. This activity aims to optimize production through advanced technology, particularly in rice direct seeding and fertilizer application.

Gia Phong commune in Ninh Binh province has been selected as a demonstration site to address challenges such as high water levels and outdated farming practices. Farmers here traditionally practice ratoon rice cultivation but often face inefficiencies. The project is carrying out the following activities in collaboration with Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) to improve yields and quality:

• Drone application in direct seeding:

  
  

• Assessing current drone use for direct seeding of rice.

• Identifying challenges limiting the adoption of this technology.

• Conducting field trials on two hectares of demonstration plots to showcase drone effectiveness.

  
  

• Capacity building of stakeholders in rice production:

  
  

• Training cooperatives members (smallholder farmers), service providers, government bodies, and researchers on drone technology in rice farming.

The significance of this initiative was underscored by the recent visit of FAO Director-General QU Dongyu on     

7 February 2025. His visit highlighted FAO’s commitment to supporting technological advancements in Vietnamese agriculture.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu met local peoples in Gia Phong commune on 7 February 2025. Photo: FAOVN

By integrating mechanized solutions like drones as part of sustainable agricultural mechanization, this initiative aims to boost rice yields, improve farmer incomes, and foster sustainable farming practices. Viet Nam is taking a significant step toward a more efficient, resilient, and technology-driven agricultural future.