Science, technology development key to sustainable agriculture
The development of science, technology and innovation is key to laying the foundation for sustainable agriculture and adapting to climate change, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said on November 28.
Hanoi (VNA) – The development of science, technology and innovation is key to laying the foundation for sustainable agriculture and adapting to climate change, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said on November 28.
Tien made the statement at a forum on enhancing the application of science, technology and innovation to promote sustainable agricultural development, reducing emissions, and responding to climate change.
The event, which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR), aimed to provide an opportunity for partners to exchange information and promote environmental sustainability and a low-emission agriculture sector, as well as how to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
Vietnam's agriculture sector is still facing many challenges from unpredictable global fluctuations due to epidemics, conflicts and natural disasters, he noted.
To be able to turn challenges into opportunities, the agriculture sector has set out solutions for the field to remain the backbone of the economy, with scientific and technological development at the forefront, Tien said.
Science and technology do not only contribute to increasing productivity, quality and value of agricultural products, but also improve the lives of farmers and significantly change the face of Vietnam's rural areas.
﷽ Science and technology contribute over 30% of the added value of the sector and 38% to the production of plant varieties and livestock. They help improve the competitiveness of agricultural products in both domestic and international markets, contributing to making Vietnam one of the world’s leading exporters of rice, coffee, pepper and cashew nuts, Tien said.
Stephan Weise, Asia Managing Director at the Alliance of Biodiversity International and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, said that scientific and technological applications and innovation programmes that the research team coordinated with partners in Vietnam will make an important contribution to transforming the agricultural system in the country towards a greener and more sustainable direction.
Participants at the forum were briefed on CGIAR's innovative research in the fields of rice and vegetable cultivation and aquaculture in order to develop sustainable agriculture, reduce greenhouse emissions and adapt to climate change.
🍃 CGIAR leaders showed their commitment to supporting the Southeast Asian country in addressing strategic challenges in the agriculture sector to achieve sustainable development goals in the context of climate change. They pledged to work together to multiply research and innovation results to promote agriculture and reduce emissions and adapt to climate change./.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in collaboration with the World Wide Fund For Nature in Vietnam (WWF-Vietnam) held a high-level forum on new management approach in sustainable agriculture landscape management in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap on February 18.
The Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project (VnSAT) has become a success model in the agricultural sector after nearly seven years of implementation, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam held a webinar on sustainable agriculture transformation in the Mekong Delta on September 6.
Cargill and CARE International signed a Memorandum of Understanding for ‘She Thrives’, a programme to improve sustainable agriculture for rural communities in the central highland province of Dak Lak, in Hanoi on November 8.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
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A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
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The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
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Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
