MECHANIZATION AND RESTRUCTURING OF VIETNAM'S AGRICULTURE TOWARDS SMART AGRICULTURE

Agricultural mechanization plays an important role in solving the problem of labor shortage in agriculture, improving productivity, and increasing the quality of crop and livestock products. In recent years, mechanization has contributed significantly to the development of Vietnam's agricultural production. However, the level of power equiped per hectare only reaches 2.87 horsepower; the rate of labor in agriculture is still quite high, accounting for 57.6% of the total labor force; the agricultural land is fragmented; the agricultural machinery manufacturing industry has not developed sustainably and synchronously; the scientific and technological human resources for agricultural machinery are still lacking and have not received attention for training; and farmers' income is still low, so they cannot invest in developing agricultural machinery that are challenges for agricultural mechanization in Vietnam. Therefore, it is necessary to implement restructuring the Vietnam agricultural production in which the orientation towards smart agricultural production is appropriate and effective. A brief overview of the current status of agricultural mechanization in Vietnam and the proposed solutions to develop agricultural mechanization towards the smart agriculture have been mentioned and discussed. Vietnam's agriculture will not be able to integrate and have high added value if it does not promote agricultural mechanization in the direction of smart agricultural production.