A technical workflow for building a VRGIS-based system to promote rice products using drone imagery, 3D modeling, and immersive visualization

Abstract

Agriculture is an important sector of Vietnam’s economy, providing livelihoods for 60% of the rural population, accounting for 30% of the national workforce, and contributing nearly 12% to the GDP. In the context of rapid developments in science, technology, and digital transformation, the application of modern technologies, including Virtual Reality Geographic Information System (VRGIS), in agriculture has become an urgent issue in Vietnam. This paper presents a technical workflow for developing a VRGIS to support the promotion of agricultural products through immersive 3D environments. The research focuses on rice, a key agricultural product of Hung Yen Province (which has now been merged into Hung Yen Province), in northern Vietnam. The proposed method integrates multiple technologies into a systematic processing pipeline: (1) aerial image acquisition using drones, (2) 3D reconstruction using photogrammetry and Blender, (3) scene optimization for real-time rendering, and (4) immersive environment deployment using Unity. The system enables users to virtually explore the ThaiBinh Seed Crop Research Institute in a simulated environment. Experimental results demonstrate that the workflow can produce highly interactive and realistic 3D models, suitable for digital product promotion and agricultural education. This workflow proves effective in combining open-source solutions with commercial technologies to facilitate digital transformation in the agricultural sector.