Israeli agricultural know-how takes root in Việt Nam

From water-saving irrigation and controlled-environment farming to biological crop protection and precision agriculture, Israeli technologies are increasingly being applied in Việt Nam.

But their long-term success may depend on how well they are adapted to the country’s diverse farming conditions.

From Israel to Hà Nội

Inside a 2,000 sq.m greenhouse on the outskirts of Hà Nội, rows of cucumber plants are growing under carefully controlled conditions.

The pilot greenhouse, part of the 12ha Terrasol Organic Farm, was developed with support from the Israel Trade Mission in Việt Nam. Israeli seeds, irrigation systems, biological products and greenhouse technologies are being tested under actual Vietnamese farming conditions.

For Nguyễn Quang Hùng of Terrasol Farm, the technology starts with the greenhouse itself.

“The greenhouse is designed and built according to Israeli standards, from the structure, including a greenhouse with an open side roof, to imported roofing materials,” he told Việt Nam News.

Israeli mesh, circulation fans and shading nets help regulate the microclimate, while automated drip fertigation delivers water and nutrients directly to the plants.

“The irrigation system can be controlled through software as well as through a controller installed in the greenhouse, with both manual and computer-controlled modes,” Hùng said.

Such precision lies at the heart of Israeli agricultural technology, developed in a country where water has long been scarce. According to Hùng, the approach can cut water and fertiliser use while increasing productivity by 20 to 35 per cent. 

“With greenhouse production, we can control pests and diseases better than in open fields,” he said.

“Our water-saving irrigation system helps reduce fertiliser and water consumption, while also providing greater environmental protection.”

Having lived and worked in Israel, Hùng believes its greenhouse solutions are particularly relevant to Việt Nam’s hot climate. But he stresses that technology cannot simply be transferred unchanged.

“I brought it back and adapted it to suit Việt Nam’s climate and market,” he said.

Changing the way farmers work

That adaptation is also reflected in workers' daily experience. 

Trịnh Thị Luyện, a farmer at Terrasol, said the automated systems have reduced the physical burden of farming.

“Working here is much easier than working at home because we have a complete system in place,” she said.

“There are machines and equipment, as well as a reliable water supply, and most of the work is mechanical. We don't have to do as much heavy physical work.”

Her colleague Đỗ Thị Hương highlighted another benefit of controlled production.

“Here, the plants are nurtured and treated from A to Z, using fertilisers and biological products without harmful chemicals, so the production environment is clean and safe,” she said.

For Hương, the controlled environment also means greater attention to hygiene, with workers required to take measures to prevent contamination before entering the greenhouse.

The technology is not simply about equipment. It changes how crops are grown and how people work. 

Technology for demanding markets

For Bùi Hải Yến of Agrilink, technology is also closely connected with another challenge: meeting demanding export standards.

Her company began exporting Vietnamese agricultural products to Israel in 2020 after years of applying Israeli technologies to production. Yến chose the Kosher market as a strategic entry point, but meeting its strict microbiological and food-safety requirements was initially difficult.

At the same time, she sees Việt Nam's abundant raw materials and indigenous plant varieties as a major advantage.

“Applying science and technology to improve the quality and productivity of these crops is not particularly difficult,” she said.

“With time spent learning and researching, we can fully meet the requirements. Vietnamese agricultural products are now able to meet Kosher standards.”

But, like Hùng, she believes adaptation requires understanding rather than simple technology transfer.

“Farmers and engineers also need to gain a stronger grounding in science and technology, as well as agricultural techniques, rather than simply applying Israeli technologies without fully understanding the underlying technological and technical principles,” Yến said.