In recent years, Cao Bang’s economy has been stable and has consistently developed with an annual growth rate of over 5%. The average growth rate of local budget revenue has reached over 10% per year, while the average growth rate in the border economy has been 19.45% per year. Industrial production growth averaged 12.6% per year, and the poverty rate decreased by an average of 4.11% annually.
In 2023 and the first nine months of 2024, Cao Bang’s socio-economic conditions continued to recover and develop positively. By the end of 2023, compared to 2020, the province’s per capita GRDP increased by 16%, and the value of crop and aquaculture products per unit area rose by 15%.
These achievements have benefited significantly from science and technology. Implementing policies to support businesses and innovative startups has helped the province improve workforce quality, technical processes, and labour productivity. Numerous science and technology projects, particularly in intellectual property, have been implemented effectively, addressing real-world needs and aligning with the unique conditions of each locality, according to Trinh Truong Huy, Vice Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee.
Additionally, the province has focused on restoring and developing local specialty crops, introducing new, high-yield crop varieties suited to various regions. The project “Research on conservation and restoration of Bao Lac fragrant sticky rice and Pi Pat rice varieties in Cao Bang” restored the two rice varieties in compliance with the seed production processes mandated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This produced original seed varieties with an average yield of 4.6 tonnes per ha, 20% higher than older varieties, and an established protocol for primary seed production and intensive rice cultivation, which was transferred to local communities, significantly improving rice yield and quality.
Several of Cao Bang’s specialty fruit varieties have been prioritised in collaborative research with central research institutes to develop technical solutions. Research topics, including “Application of micro-grafting technology to restore and develop orange and tangerine varieties in Hoa An, Cao Bang”, “Expanding micro-grafting technology for the restoration and development of the specialty Tra Linh tangerine variety”, “Application of technology to restore and develop the production of oranges and tangerines as commercial crops,” and “Application of saponin combined with chitosan and acetic acid to create a biofilm to extend the storage time and retain the distinctive characteristics of Cao Bang tangerines,” have all increased productivity. Orange yields rose from 12.5 tonnes per ha to 22 tonnes per ha, and tangerine yields increased from 10 tonnes per ha to 15 tonnes per ha, with incomes growing by 1.4 times.
However, Cao Bang still faces infrastructure challenges, lacks a high-quality workforce, and has limited scientific and technological tasks proposed by provincial departments and agencies. Funding for science, technology, and innovation remains constrained, resulting in suboptimal outcomes.
Recently, science and technology briefings organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology have enabled Cao Bang to strengthen links with other provinces and exchange practical experiences in applying science, technology, and innovation. This collaboration has helped to tap into Cao Bang’s potential and strengths, gradually narrowing the development gap and improving residents’ living standards compared to other provinces in the region. These gatherings also offer the province a chance to promote its unique products and scientific-technological achievements nationwide, helping local businesses and young entrepreneurs find new opportunities for cooperation and investment.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has suggested solutions to help Cao Bang and other regional provinces achieve substantial accomplishments and contribute effectively to local and national socio-economic development. These solutions include enhancing management efficiency, promoting local science, technology, and innovation, advising higher authorities to prioritise funding, and increasing investment in local scientific and technological capacity. Additionally, they emphasise strengthening infrastructure and technical resources for science and technology, improving the quality of the local scientific workforce, and meeting the requirements necessary for socio-economic development.
