A more open 'policy ecosystem' needed for science

Looking back on the 80-year journey of the agriculture sector, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, former Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), emphasized that science and technology have always accompanied farmers and aligned with production practices.

"In the past, doing research was extremely hard work. From leaders to staff, everyone had to wade into the fields to select each rice and maize plant. However, that process made studies highly practical. Even during the country's difficult period, many scientists chose to remain in the sector and with the farmers, conducting diligent research.

Science and technology represent a long journey built on the legacy of many generations. In the days before standardized laboratories and modern equipment, scientists remained deeply passionate about breeding and selection, developing crop and livestock varieties that are suited to ecological conditions, ensuring productivity, quality, and disease resistance, and creating greater value and income for farmers. It is thanks to those persistent contributions that Viet Nam’s agriculture has achieved its current position, exporting agricultural products to hundreds of countries, with many commodities on the world’s top," Dr. Thuy shared.

The agricultural sector is shifting from "agricultural production" to an "agricultural economy." What requirements does this shift pose for science and technology, madam?

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy: Previously, we focused on breeding high-yield varieties that required substantial resources, following a production-driven approach. Today, the focus must shift toward enhancing value and income, which means optimizing the entire chain from seeds, cultivation processes, harvesting, preservation, and processing to traceability and trade. In the context of international integration, agricultural products must not only achieve high yields but also meet quality, safety, and environmental standards. Therefore, research orientation must also change. For example, in breeding, it is no longer focused on a single trait such as high yield; the varieties must also generate value across the entire production chain.

In 2013, when MARD launched the Agricultural Restructuring Scheme aimed at increasing added value and achieving sustainable development, Minister Cao Duc Phat directed that Vietnamese rice must be sold at higher prices (at the time, the export price of 5% broken rice was around USD 395/ton). The Ministry adjusted its science and technology program, commissioning research to develop high-yield rice varieties that meet export-quality standards for sale at USD 600–800/ton. This was both a political determination and a task from the Minister to scientists. That problem compelled scientists to change their mindset. And within just 5-7 years, the landscape had transformed. High-quality varieties with remarkable added value dominated Viet Nam's rice exports.

In addition, cultivation processes have also advanced significantly, shifting from single-factor to multi-factor research, reducing input materials and emissions, and improving the environment. However, post-harvest preservation and deep-processing technologies remain weaknesses that require stronger investment.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges currently facing agricultural science and technology, madam?

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy: Alongside achievements, the agricultural sector still faces numerous challenges. The science and technology system remains fragmented and small-scale; operational and investment mechanisms do not truly encourage innovation; and attracting and retaining talented personnel remains difficult.

It is time to evaluate and reorganize the science and technology system in a methodical, streamlined, yet high-quality way, linking research to market demand, businesses, and farmers. At the same time, institutional reforms, financial mechanisms, and human resource policies must be innovated so that scientists can devote themselves fully to research while receiving recognition and worthy compensation. Only when scientists can make a living from their work will the sector retain its intellectual capital.

During the early phase of Viet Nam's industrialization, when the foundations of agricultural science and technology were still limited, international cooperation served as a strategic lever, helping the country access advanced knowledge and train a highly qualified scientific workforce. Through bilateral and multilateral cooperation programs, many Vietnamese scientists had opportunities to study abroad and access modern technologies such as molecular biology, genetic engineering, and cell technology, laying the groundwork for the subsequent modernization of agricultural research.

However, in recent years, international cooperation has shown signs of contraction and stagnation, failing to keep pace with the pace of global scientific development. The number of Viet Nam’s agricultural research publications in international forums and journals remains modest, and many young scientists who study abroad lack the environment and opportunities to return and contribute.

It is time to reconsider international cooperation not merely as a means of learning or technology transfer, but as a stage for joint research, innovation, and commercialization. Viet Nam needs to take a more proactive role in connecting institutes, universities, businesses, and international networks, participating in regional and global research programs to both strengthen internal capacity and affirm the position of Vietnamese agricultural science in the global knowledge value chain.

How can scientists avoid struggling to make a living, sometimes with their "outside work" outweighing their core research?

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy: In reality, budgets for research institutes in recent years have remained almost stable, while costs and salary-related expenses have continuously increased. In many places, the allocated funds only cover part of the needs, forcing researchers to incorporate the shortfall into projects and topics to make up the difference.

To address this situation, it is necessary to develop a more open policy ecosystem that allows science and technology organizations to have autonomy in finance, organization, and personnel while ensuring worthy compensation for researchers capable of leading teams. Only when scientists can make a living from science can they devote themselves entirely to research, retain intellectual capital, and contribute in the long term to the agricultural sector. Resolution 57 and its implementing documents are expected to create favorable mechanisms that encourage innovation and increase the practical application of research outcomes.

Scientists always wish to accompany farmers. However, for research results to be truly applied in practice, favorable mechanisms, policies, and legal frameworks are needed to support long-term research programs.

Thank you, madam!