Unitel, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry extend cooperation in study on digitalisation of irrigation systems

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Star Telecom Company Limited (Unitel) have extended cooperation in a feasibility study on the digital transformation of irrigation management, in accordance with Industry 4.0.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to extend the time was signed on Friday in Vientiane between the Deputy Director General of the Irrigation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Khamphachanh Vongsana, and Deputy Managing Director Mr Bounmy Malavong.
The signing was witnessed by Deputy Minister of National Defence, Major General Dr Vongkham Phommakon, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Phet Phomphiphak, and General-Director of Unitel, Mr Luu Manh Ha, along with officials from both parties.  
The MOU is a reference for the cooperation of both parties in a study on the development of water supply services using digital systems and to study and develop technical services in relation to irrigation, agriculture and fishery.
These activities will improve water management and services around irrigation for the government and the general public in accordance with “digital transformation” through the use of advanced technology, in line with the government’s policy and plans for national development.      
Cooperation involves joint research to develop solution products and digital technology for platform system development for irrigation, agriculture, livestock breeding, fisheries and human resource development, for the benefit of both sides.
Areas of cooperation include the study and development of a water resource management project platform in basin areas to support production through increased productivity and reduced risk of flooding and drought. 
The study will also consider the development of farm water operations and a management project platform in rice cultivation, aimed at saving water so that crops are cultivated efficiently while reducing production costs.
The study will assess ways to develop the agriculture plantation water management project to provide modern water supplies for crop cultivation in a shaded system, for farmland, fruit trees, industrial tree plantations, and pasture for the grazing of animals.
The study will also look at ways to develop the livestock and fisheries management project to supply a modern system for the provision of irrigated water for livestock and fishery, with the aim of reducing labour and production costs.
The first study was located in three areas of Vientiane, namely the Xanghuabo irrigation project in Pakngum district, a multi-agriculture garden in Oudomphon village, Xaythany district, and the Houayxon-Houayxua Agricultural Technical Development Centre in Naxaithong district.
Under the extended cooperation, the two sides agreed to carry out more studies in Xanghuabo in Pakngum district and a multi-agriculture garden in Oudomphon village, Xaythany district.
The Houayxon-Houayxua Agricultural Technical Development Centre will be implemented after these two areas have been assessed.
The Irrigation Department and Unitel signed a Memorandum of Understanding on digital transformation in the irrigation sector 4.0 industrial era in Laos on October 20, 2020.

Mr Bounmy Malavong (left) and Dr Khamphachanh Vongsana sign a  Memorandum of Understanding.	Officials pose for a group photo at the MOU signing ceremony in Vientiane.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update March 7, 2021)