Data – The Key to Green Transformation in Agriculture
In the green transition of agriculture, data is no longer just a collection of stored numbers - it has become the operating foundation that helps businesses enhance production efficiency, reduce emissions, ensure supply chain transparency, and attract green investment. Recent statistics and studies confirm that systematic data management and utilization are key to sustainable agricultural development - especially in the coffee sector - enabling compliance with increasingly stringent international standards.
A study conducted in China using data from 31 provinces between 2013 and 2020 showed that digital transformation in agriculture, driven by 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), has significantly contributed to carbon emission reduction. Notably, the application of data not only has a direct impact but also generates a ripple effect - spreading green technologies and accelerating large-scale greenhouse gas reductions. Similarly, reports by the OECD and World Bank highlight that digital data infrastructure in agriculture has helped countries save resources and reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides through improved weather forecasting and stricter traceability management.
In Europe, a report from Denmark affirmed that building large agricultural databases not only serves production but also supports enterprises in planning green transition policies, conducting environmental audits, and implementing CO₂ reduction procedures. These data systems are further utilized to develop circular production models, thereby strengthening sustainable competitive advantages.
In Vietnam, the architecture for digital agricultural data infrastructure is gradually taking shape, linking nearly nine million farming households with enterprises. This connection helps overcome the challenges of small-scale production and establishes the foundation for green value chains, where data is considered a “raw material” for all stages - from cultivation and processing to distribution. The UNDP’s Green Agriculture Center is also working to integrate and harmonize data sources, serving both digital and green transformation goals simultaneously.
A crucial highlight is the “four-party data linkage model” - involving government, research institutes, enterprises, and farmers - which is considered a core solution. When data among stakeholders is synchronized and transparent, businesses can more easily access green finance, implement energy-saving projects, and develop environmentally friendly production. In other words, data not only enables smart farming management but also becomes a “passport” to green investment and international markets.
For the coffee industry, data plays an especially vital role as the EU’s deforestation-free regulation (EUDR) is set to take effect soon. By utilizing cadastral maps, traceable cultivation area data, and production information, businesses can prove that their coffee is not grown on deforested land and can better control emissions across the entire value chain. Furthermore, the application of sensors, remote sensing, and big data analytics helps forecast pest outbreaks, optimize irrigation, mitigate disaster risks, and improve coffee bean quality.
Beyond environmental aspects, data also directly impacts economic and social dimensions. Accurate recording of productivity, market prices, household income, and participation in digital training enables enterprises and cooperatives to design long-term strategies while improving community welfare. Transparent data also strengthens corporate social responsibility and builds trust among global consumers.
Example: Green Transformation in the Coffee Sector
| Content | Type of Data to Be Collected | Benefits |
| Monitoring cultivation areas & traceability | Mapping of cultivation zones, farm boundaries, farmer information | Demonstrates coffee is not grown on deforested land, complies with “deforestation-free” regulations, and ensures full traceability to each household |
| Environmental impact assessment | Data on fertilizer, pesticide, irrigation water, emissions from processing | Identifies high-emission stages to adjust practices: reduce chemical fertilizer use, save water, and cut emissions |
| Digitalization & smart farming | Data from sensors,satellites, and automation tools | Predicts droughts and pest outbreaks; enables precise irrigation management; reduces costs, protects the environment, and improves bean quality |
| Income & livelihood improvement | Data on yield, quality, and market prices | Helps farmers select effective crop varieties and techniques; supports enterprises in stable export planning |
| Compliance & market access | Transparent production and supply chain data | Meets green trade barriers in the EU and U.S.; transparent, certified coffee earns higher market value |
How Can Enterprises and Farmers Collect Data?
- Surveys combined with digital technology
Use smartphones to capture GPS coordinates of farms, IoT sensors to measure soil moisture, and satellite or GIS maps to define growing areas. - Public–private data-sharing systems
Connect databases among government, cooperatives, and enterprises to avoid duplication, ensure transparency, and simplify verification processes. - Farmer training
Guide farmers in basic record-keeping: fertilizer application dates, irrigation volumes, harvest yields, etc. These records can be entered into simple mobile apps. - International research collaboration
Businesses can join international projects applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or big data analytics to develop in-depth carbon reports for clients.
Key Data to Collect
To measure the effectiveness of green transformation, businesses should focus on three main groups of indicators:
1. Environmental
- Area of cultivation meeting green standards (Organic, VietGAP, 4C, RA…).
- Amount of fertilizer, pesticide, and irrigation water used.
- Greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂eq per kg of coffee).
- Waste, wastewater, and biodiversity management (shade trees, forest cover).
2. Economic – Product Quality
- Yield per hectare.
- Value of certified coffee (organic, specialty).
- Percentage of certified and exported coffee.
- Input costs and profit per hectare.
- Bean quality indicators: moisture, density, defect rate.
3. Social – Traceability
- Farmer income and welfare.
- Percentage of farmers trained in digital and green practices.
- Transparent traceability: household, plot, and process level.
- Percentage of reinvestment in environment and community.
For coffee enterprises, data is not a distant concept - it is the key to unlocking international markets. Collecting data today enables:
- Farmers to increase productivity and profitability.
- Businesses to ensure transparent processes and easier compliance with global standards.
- Vietnam’s coffee industry to enhance competitiveness and sustainable value.
Agricultural enterprises should regard data as a pillar of their green growth strategy. When data is properly collected, analyzed, and utilized, businesses not only achieve emission reduction goals but also gain access to demanding markets, attract green credit, and elevate the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products on the global stage.
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