Tây Ninh: Promoting cooperation in the development of medicinal herbs through the application of high technology

On the morning of April 24, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of Tây Ninh Province held a working session with a delegation of domestic businesses and several companies from Singapore to discuss directions for cooperation in the development of medicinal herbs, high-tech agriculture, and the application of technology in production and management.

A panoramic view of the working session between the Tây Ninh Provincial Department of Science and Technology and a delegation of businesses on the morning of April 24.

Currently, the government is guiding the development of the medicinal herb industry along a value chain approach, with cultivation areas as the foundation, processing as the driving force, and the market as the focal point; gradually shifting from natural harvesting to large-scale, sustainable commercial production, thereby enhancing the value added and competitiveness of Vietnamese medicinal herbs. Based on this direction, many localities, including Tay Ninh, are proactively engaging with businesses to identify suitable cooperation models.

According to the agenda, the meeting focused on exchanging views on the current state of medicinal plant development in the locality, while also discussing solutions to attract high-tech investment, develop raw material production areas, and build a sustainable value chain.

Mr. Tran Viet Thanh—Director of Life Gift Vietnam Pharmaceutical Company and representative of the business delegation—presented key topics during a meeting and working session with leaders of the Tay Ninh Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

At the meeting, the companies presented several specific proposals for cooperation. Mr. Tran Viet Thanh, a representative of Life Gift Vietnam Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., proposed a development strategy for medicinal herb cultivation areas linked to a raw material processing center to support the production of medicines and dietary supplements. This model aims to establish an integrated supply chain spanning cultivation, procurement, and preliminary processing, thereby enhancing the value of raw materials and ensuring a stable market for the products.
According to the discussions, the development of medicinal herbs in Tây Ninh has many advantages in terms of natural conditions, but there are still some limitations, such as fragmented production, inadequate processing infrastructure, and a lack of supply chain integration. Therefore, attracting businesses to invest—particularly in the preliminary processing and manufacturing stages—is considered a key solution to enhance the sector’s development effectiveness.

Dr. Phan Thien Vy, Ph.D. – Associate Chair of the Department of Pharmacy at Nguyen Tat Thanh University – joined the delegation on the field survey (wearing a black blazer).

During the program, Dr. Phan Thien Vy also provided further details on Life Gift Vietnam’s production capacity and development strategy, emphasizing the need to establish a stable raw material supply chain to ensure product quality and traceability.

In addition to the field of medicinal herbs, a representative from TRUONG SMILE PTE LTD, (Singapore) presented on topics related to a technology-driven rice farming project, a waste treatment system based on Japanese technology, and solutions for applying artificial intelligence (AI) in business management.

According to Mr. Patrick Shenk, a company representative, the company is interested in investment opportunities in Tây Ninh and hopes to collaborate on implementing suitable projects. In the agricultural sector, the company has invited Japanese experts to Vietnam to conduct research and test farming models; it can also assist in connecting producers with markets in the U.S., Singapore, and the region once the necessary standards are met.

A notable topic discussed at the meeting was the proposal to apply artificial intelligence in business management and operations. According to the discussions, this technology can support data analysis, market forecasting, production optimization, crop area management, and improved operational efficiency. In the agriculture and medicinal herbs sectors, AI can be applied to weather forecasting, selecting suitable plant varieties, monitoring cultivation processes, and ensuring product traceability.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Tay Ninh Province (far right)

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai, Deputy Director of the Tay Ninh Provincial Department of Science and Technology, acknowledged the proposals from the businesses and stated that the Department supports initiatives aligned with the region’s potential, particularly in the field of medicinal herbs. Regarding specific details, the Department’s leadership suggested continuing discussions to further clarify the technology, processes, and feasibility before implementation.

Speaking about collaborative resources, Mr. Nguyen Ho Hanh, Deputy Director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation, noted that the center currently manages approximately 83 hectares of land for science and technology applications, of which 20 hectares are designated for applied research. Additionally, in the Chau Thanh area, the Center has approximately 4 hectares equipped with greenhouse systems, tissue culture rooms, and specialized equipment, enabling it to collaborate with businesses to conduct research, carry out medicinal plant trials, and perform initial processing.

Research and production infrastructure supporting the development of medicinal plants and high-tech agriculture.

The Department of Science and Technology of Tây Ninh Province has also requested that businesses and relevant organizations collaborate to organize seminars and share experiences in order to help the local business community gain access to new technological solutions, including artificial intelligence.

At the conclusion of the meeting, representatives of the business delegation expressed their gratitude to the Tây Ninh Provincial Department of Science and Technology for its hospitality, and stated that they would take the feedback into consideration and continue to coordinate with relevant agencies to finalize the details of the cooperation in the coming period.

Following the morning program, the business delegation continued to tour the product exhibition center of local businesses; conducted on-site visits and held meetings with several relevant organizations to flesh out the details of the discussions that had taken place.

Kien Van

Photos of the business delegation touring the exhibition booths and conducting on-site inspections at the Science and Technology Experimental Station.

Source: Vanhienplus