Sci-tech in agriculture and environment sector must have outcomes

On July 7, Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep chaired a meeting to hear a report from the Department of Science and Technology on the management of science, technology, and innovation, as well as its key priorities for the second half of 2026.

Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep emphasized that in the coming period, the Ministry’s management of science, technology, and innovation must shift more strongly from progress-based management to outcome-based management, with effectiveness, tangible products, and practical applicability serving as key measures of success.

The Deputy Minister requested that the Department of Science and Technology focus intensively on institutional development, particularly on completing legal documents related to the controlled testing mechanism (Sandbox), traceability systems, Circular No. 04, and other regulations supporting the management of science and technology in the agriculture and environment sectors. Assigned tasks must have clear timelines, with obstacles reported and addressed promptly at each stage; prolonged delays in the development of legal documents must be avoided.

Regarding major projects and programs, the Deputy Minister called for a thorough review of implementation progress, especially the Project on the Development of the Biotechnology Industry and the proposal to establish a Science and Technology Development Fund. These are important initiatives aimed at creating additional resources for research, commissioned projects, funding, and the development of science and technology products in the sector. Therefore, they must be implemented urgently, in accordance with regulations, and with specific implementation plans.

For science and technology tasks in 2027, the Deputy Minister requested the Department to urgently complete dossiers, evaluation and approval procedures, as well as related budget processes, to submit them to relevant agencies for appraisal in accordance with requirements. The review council process must be rigorous and objective, while avoiding formalities and unnecessary delays. The selection of tasks must ensure alignment with key priorities, prevent duplication and fragmentation, and avoid inefficient use of resources.

Research projects must be closely linked to practical production, management needs, and market demands, with priority given to tasks that can create technologies, processes, models, databases, specific products, or solutions that can be applied immediately.

Regarding the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep requested the Department to continue reviewing and verifying the actual outcomes of implementation rather than focusing solely on progress reports. The Department should coordinate with the Department of Digital Transformation to develop tools for monitoring and supervising tasks, and gradually establish a shared database to comprehensively manage each unit's progress, deliverables, and responsibilities, ensuring transparency, ease of inspection, and effective follow-up.

The Deputy Minister also called for the selection of several high-potential science and technology products, particularly in the fields of agriculture and environment, strategic technologies, traceability, plant varieties, vaccines, pollution treatment, and solutions supporting green growth, to prioritize investment and development into flagship products of the Ministry. Science and technology must directly contribute to increasing the value of agricultural products, addressing environmental challenges, and promoting sustainable development.

Regarding standards and technical regulations, the Deputy Minister requested a comprehensive review and resolution of outstanding delays, clear identification of responsibilities among relevant units, and stronger substantive inspection and supervision rather than merely compiling reports. Delegated tasks must be closely monitored to ensure both progress and quality.

The Deputy Minister also assigned the Department of Science and Technology to fully incorporate comments raised at the meeting and closely coordinate with relevant agencies to finalize the work plan for the last six months of the year. The overall approach is to ensure that every task has clear objectives, responsibilities, timelines, deliverables, and measurable outcomes. The management of science, technology, and innovation must be rigorous, efficient, practical, and oriented toward results that can be demonstrated in real-world applications.

Earlier at the meeting, Nguyen Van Long, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, reported that in the first six months of 2026, the Ministry’s management of science, technology, and innovation had recorded significant positive progress.

Institutional development remained a key priority, with proactive and flexible implementation closely aligned with tasks assigned by the Government. The Ministry focused on developing and submitting key documents on high-tech agricultural zones and on implementing the High Technology Law. At the same time, it reviewed and amended existing regulations to streamline administrative procedures, remove barriers, and create a more favorable environment for the development of science and technology.

New areas such as traceability systems, controlled testing mechanisms (Sandbox), regulations on the operation of scientific councils, and the management of science and technology tasks are gradually being completed. These efforts provide a foundation for science and technology activities to operate more flexibly, better align with digital transformation requirements, enhance data transparency, and improve the effectiveness of sectoral management.