In 2021, the agricultural achieved many achievements such as total export turnover of US$ 48.6 billion, a growth of 2.8%, maintaining a stable forest cover level of 42%...However, according to the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment (MARD), assessment, research, application, and transfer of science and technology have not met the requirements. Many scientific and technological products have not been widely applied to production.

Scientists refuse to go to the field

In addition, the science and technology market develops slowly and has not closely linked research, application, and training results with production, business, and management needs. International cooperation still lacks strategic orientation, and efficiency is not high.

At the Conference to summarize agriculture scientific and technological work in 2021 and implement the plan in 2022, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh said that in the context of world economic integration, public science and technology needs to play a role and create resilience for the agricultural sector.

"The trend of autonomy and self-responsibility of research, science, and technology units helps us be more dynamic", said Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh.

According to Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh, science and technology have been one of the most creative fields over the years. However, it will take several years to thoroughly test the results and impact of this field.

Another challenge with scientific research, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh said that agencies and units have only a few scientific council staff. Still, every year hundreds of research topics must be approved.

"If the agricultural industry does not change its business method soon, it will be difficult to meet the market requirements. Besides, the management agency of the Ministry must also have policies and guidelines to support", Deputy Minister expressed.

Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh said that the Ministry's scientific and technological research units currently target revenue growth but have not actively sought outputs for research projects or technology transfer.

"Increasing revenue helps science and technology units to be economically self-sufficient. But we need to aim to increase income by selling research works. Doing so cannot increase added value, investment value from the state budget," continued the Deputy Minister.

Originally an agricultural scientist, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh inspired science and technology staff about labor heroes and generations of professors working in the fields all day. They take advantage of lunch breaks and even have lunch in the field to breed new effective varieties.

On the morning of January 7, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh visited a large seed production facility in Vietnam. He oriented, agricultural scientists must change their thinking. Specifically, the focus is on growing existing products, spearheading investment in laboratories, fields, inputs...

"Sometimes, I am sad because there are masters and doctors who refuse to go to the fields. Now, agricultural research must be linked with reality to achieve the agricultural export target of US$ 50 billion in 2022 set by the Prime Minister", emphasized Deputy Minister.

The management mechanism is still cumbersome

According to the 2021 budget estimate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the expenditure on science and technology is more than VND 700 billion. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Director of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment, said that the large part is for investment in the seed industry and biotechnology. Agriculture has made remarkable progress, which is highly appreciated and contributes to the industry's growth and improving people's living standards.

Mrs. Thuy said that Decree 60 on financial autonomy and self-responsibility of public scientific research units would pose new tasks and challenges.

Deputy Director-General Nguyen Huu Ninh acknowledged the existing problems in 2021. Specifically, the mechanisms and policies system still has many shortcomings; enterprises have not been encouraged to form venture capital funds for science and technology.

In addition, the awareness of scientific research and technology transfer is not complete, profound, and comprehensive; especially for the reception, application, and transfer of new technologies, access to modern technology based on technology 4.0, digital technology;

Investment funds for research and transfer science and technology in agriculture are still low compared to requirements; The socialization of funding sources for scientific research and technology transfer in agriculture is still limited.

Scientific and technological research still achieved some results despite subjective and objective difficulties due to epidemics and climate change. The Department of Science, Technology & Environment has developed and submitted to the Prime Minister for approval of the Project on developing the agricultural bio-industry up to 2030; develop many circulars guiding national standards and regulations; develop measures to treat livestock waste, agricultural by-products.

Also, the Department contributes to helping the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development complete 279 science and technology tasks, accelerate the recognition of regions and enterprises applying high technology, and safely store 26,000 seed samples at the seed gene bank.

On the basis of achieving the common goals of the entire agriculture, Director-General Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy called for the cooperation and initiative from research institutes and universities. In addition, leaders of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment commit to closely coordinate with related units to complete the task.

Translated by Ha Phuc