Open regulatory framework for plant protection, coupled with stronger post-inspection

The Government has proposed amendments to 10 laws in the agriculture and environment sectors, including the removal of 40 administrative procedures, simplification of 12 others, and reduction of 40 business conditions.

Against the backdrop of these sweeping changes, VAN News spoke with Prof. Nguyen Van Tuat, Chairman of the Viet Nam Plant Protection Association (VNPPA), about issues surrounding research into and the application of technologies, particularly biological plant protection products, in the years ahead.

Responding swiftly to emerging pest threats

According to Prof. Nguyen Van Tuat, the registration of biological plant protection products has accelerated significantly over the past three years. Businesses are also proactively shifting in this direction, from technology development and imports to establishing field demonstration models to guide farmers.

Simplified procedures will enable the deployment of plant protection products more quickly when new or invasive pests suddenly emerge in the field, without waiting for lengthy reviews by specialized councils that could delay the response. However, clear delegation of authority at each management level is needed to enable timely decisions on the immediate use of these products.

Streamlined procedures could also bring many previously unused research findings into practical application, while encouraging the rapid commercialization of products derived from indigenous medicinal plants and other Vietnamese plants with biological activity.

For plant protection products developed and manufactured using indigenous microorganisms in Viet Nam, regulatory authorities should focus on assessing whether their biosafety meets the required standards and on shortening the registration process so the products can be deployed promptly.

Advancing technology can also reduce both the amount of plant protection products used and production costs. New technologies can reduce application rates from 3–5 kg to 1 kg or less per hectare for products containing live organisms, which have a high proportion of active biological ingredients. This directly addresses one of the biggest concerns for businesses trading in biological plant protection products: high storage costs due to their relatively short shelf life of just one to two years.

The role of post-inspection

As business conditions are streamlined to create a more open regulatory environment, quality control in the market should increasingly shift toward a robust post-inspection mechanism.

For example, real-time electronic record-keeping should be encouraged among farming households and traders. Operators of wholesale markets should strictly monitor contracts and the traceability of agricultural products, while refusing to accept shipments of unclear origin. When every link in the supply chain is held legally and reputationally accountable, producers will be less likely to cut corners or misuse plant protection products.

According to Nguyen Van Tuat, it is necessary to develop safe, green, and responsible agricultural value chains. The Association will actively participate in assessing these linkages, verifying compliance with technical protocols, and monitoring measures to mitigate risks associated with pests and pathogens.

VNPPA will bring together leading experts to help develop standardized training materials on integrated plant health management (IPHM), green agriculture, and digital transformation. The materials will incorporate new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing for early detection of pests and diseases, and methods for the safe and effective use of plant protection products.

If unfamiliar pests or diseases emerge or cases exceed the diagnostic capabilities of available software, farmers and local technical officers will be able to contact the Association's experts directly for timely advice and support.

Promoting collaboration and technology transfer between scientists and businesses

To adapt to the changing business environment and growing demand for sustainable consumption, businesses must innovate technologically to avoid falling behind, according to Prof. Nguyen Van Tuat.

Currently, 85 of the country's 99 plant protection product manufacturing facilities can produce biological plant protection products. As a bridge between stakeholders, the Association will promote initiatives to further increase by 15% the number of businesses that adopt new technologies for manufacturing biological plant protection products.

Going forward, businesses and scientists will collaborate to transfer integrated plant health management (IPHM) solutions that address crop health from the ground up. Key priorities will include disease-resistant varieties, technologies that stimulate plants' natural defense mechanisms, nutritional measures to strengthen crop health, and next-generation gene-editing technologies to manage the entire crop development cycle rather than relying primarily on pesticide applications to control outbreaks.

Understanding the streamlining of administrative procedures

Prof. Nguyen Van Tuat said that communication efforts in the coming period should help members and businesses understand that the simplification of administrative procedures is intended to promote green production and digital transformation. It also requires businesses to assume greater responsibility, rather than representing a reduction in oversight by specialized regulatory authorities.

Tuat said the Association will communicate with plant protection product retailers and propose that they publicly display clear lists of the products they sell, divided into two categories.

The green category would include plant protection products of safe biological origin, while the yellow category would include chemical-based plant protection products.

This transparent labeling would make it easier for farmers to identify products, compare prices and effectiveness, and prioritize safer biological solutions.