Minister Do Duc Duy: Driving breakthroughs from science and technology

The provincial People's Committee of Bac Ninh and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) held a conference on May 10 to implement the "Plan for implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation" in the fields of agriculture and the environment.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy underscored in his opening remarks that the sector's strong interest and close cooperation in the process of shaping a new phase of development, which is driven by science, technology, and digital transformation, are evidenced by the presence of leaders from central and local ministries and agencies, experts and scientists, representatives of enterprises, cooperatives, international organizations, and the media.

A pivotal moment for a breakthrough strategy

According to the Minister, Resolution 57-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on December 22, 2024, establishes a strategic direction with a consistent vision. The resolution posits that science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are not only critical factors for sustainable development but also "the best opportunity" for Vietnam to become a developed, prosperous, and powerful nation in the new era.

Agriculture and the environment, under significant pressure from climate change, resource depletion, environmental pollution, and water security, have been designated as "strategic frontiers" for innovative implementation.

The conventional agricultural production model, which includes manual labor, high input costs, and minimal added value, is no longer suitable.

In the interim, the urgency of emerging trends, including circular agriculture, multi-value agriculture, green transition, and digital transformation, is rising.

"We must innovate our methods and our thinking to alter the landscape; development must be based on science, technology, and digital transformation," Minister Do Duc Duy stated.

Many efforts made, but much remains to be done

Assessments indicate that the agriculture and environment sectors have substantially progressed in applying science, technology, and digital transformation. This includes digitalizing land, forest, and meteorological data, as well as developing high-tech agricultural models and smart livestock farming. Nevertheless, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to achieve the objective of "breakthrough development" as outlined in the spirit of Resolution 57.

Minister Do Duc Duy states that this conference's primary focus is the MAE's Decision No. 503, dated March 27, 2025. The decision delineates seven critical groups of tasks and solutions.

In addition, the conference allows delegates to exchange ideas and suggest priority solutions, designed to create a turning point in the practical application of science, technology, and digital transformation to the sector's development.

Five foundational components for breakthroughs

The Minister introduced five fundamental topics for delegates to deliberate upon during his address:

First, improving institutions, policies, and administrative procedures to remove bottlenecks and unlock the flow of innovation in both the public and private sectors. The effective mobilization of domestic and international resources for science and technology will be paramount.

Secondly, identifying and concentrating on high-potential science and technology areas, such as biotechnology and gene technology, enhances product quality, conserves resources, and contributes value to the agriculture and environmental sectors.

Third, the network of public science and technology organizations will be reorganized to create more efficient and streamlined systems capable of knowledge transfer and market competitiveness. The assignment of scientific tasks will transition to a commissioning and tendering mechanism that is closely connected to production realities and designed to commercialize research outputs.

Fourth, the establishment of a highly skilled workforce in the fields of science, technology, and digital transformation, with a strong connection between research, training, and practical application. In particular, it is imperative to establish mechanisms that will attract experts and scientists from both within and outside the country, particularly from the private sector, to participate in significant national missions.

Fifth, foster a comprehensive digital transformation that encompasses policymaking, governance, production, and consumption to establish the digital economy, digital technologies, and digital data as genuine competitive advantages in the new development phase.

Minister Do Duc Duy expressed the expectation that the conference would serve as a constructive beginning for the practical implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW's primary concepts in the agriculture and environment sectors.

The sectors can genuinely break through and establish new growth drivers in the digital age with the collaboration of local governments, businesses, the scientific community, and the media, as well as determined and bold actions.