Radical innovation for agricultural scientific organization system

Studies for the establishment of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences

There are many institutes and research centers under the MARD at the moment. The Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) alone has already had 19 affiliated institutes and centers. A lot of these units have overlapping missions but dispersed forces.

Therefore, it is necessary to study and develop a scheme to establish an Academy of Agricultural Sciences (including agriculture, forestry, water resources, fisheries, agricultural economy, marine economy, etc.) on the basis of existing institute; clearly define basic, fundamental, and application research.

Regarding the operating mechanism, it is essential to stop the mechanism of “asking for” state and ministerial level projects. The State, the MARD, enterprises and agricultural production establishments actively place orders, stating the main products required to be achieved according to the mechanism of pre-payment until the final product.

Basic research such as construction of national gene bank, research on genetics, physiology, biochemistry of plants and animals,… will mainly be funded by the State. Application research in each field will follow a comprehensive autonomy mechanism (autonomy in terms of staffing, research content, facilities, and the use of public land to capitalize for research).

Currently, there are a series of institutes and centers managing from 100 to 300 hectares of land, facilities, laboratories, and equipment, but the utilization of these advantages is still very limited, lacking efficiency in joint ventures with agricultural enterprises. Application research institutes may pilot operations under the scientific and technological enterprise mechanism.

In terms of research orientation, it is required to develop an agricultural science and technology strategy towards 2030, with a vision to 2045 in line with world trends and ecological conditions in Vietnam, including: Signature tropical agriculture (from Hai Van Pass back to the southern provinces); subtropical agriculture (from Hai Van Pass to the northern provinces). It is necessary to determine the goals for each major in cultivation, animal husbandry, fisheries, water resources, forestry, agricultural economics, etc.

Utilize and coordinate with the research force of enterprises and associations

Particularly for research on plant varieties, it is necessary to have a breakthrough in mindset in all three contents: Variety selection and creation, seed production and seed quality management.

Research on variety selection and creation: It is necessary to maximize the exploitation of indigenous genetic resources in combination with superior imported genetic resources in the world, using the most modern methods such as cell technology, recombinant DNA, and RNA interference (RNAi), pyramiding, and gene technology. The latest technologies today are epigenetics and gene editing technology (CRISPR). The procedures for variety recognition and the registration for new variety protection can be simplified.

Research on propagation (production of seeds and seedlings): It is necessary to focus on seed technology and seed industry research. This field should be assigned to seed enterprises and corporations, promoting potentials and facilities to build modern, industrial-scale seed and seedling factories, piloting to create conditions for committees and seed associations to train and issue practice certificates in seed technology, seedling and seed industry.

Researching techniques to monitor and inspect seed and seedling quality, the correctness, uniformity and stability of varieties, especially disease-free seeds and seedlings. At present, the field of propagation and quality control of seeds and seedlings has hardly been paid attention to.

In terms of resources, apart from the scientific staff currently working at state research institutes and centers, it is necessary to utilize resources from agricultural science and technology enterprises.

Especially coordinate with human resources from committees and associations such as Vietnam Livestock Association; Vietnam National Committee of Large Dams and Water Resources Development; Vietnam Seed Association; Vietnam Soil Science Association; Science and Technology Association of Plant Protection; Science and Technology Association of Vietnam Marine; Science and Technology Association of Vietnam Forest; Science and Technology Association of Vietnam Veterinary; Vietnam Gardening Association; Vietnam Fisheries Society...

In order for science and technology to become a direct driving force for agricultural economic development, utilizing existing achievements, and solving bottlenecks, every year, the MARD should organize a meeting (forum) of agricultural scientists nationwide including "barefoot" scientists, scientists of associations, committees, agricultural enterprises and scientists working at institutes, centers, universities... so that they can have the opportunity to share, propose and contribute ideas to make Vietnam into an agricultural powerhouse in the near future.