Biotechnology innovation, new hope for Vietnamese agriculture

At a time when Vietnam’s agriculture is facing dual pressures: climate change, land degradation and increasing demands for product quality, biotechnology is gradually becoming the “golden key”. If invested in the right direction and coordinated between the state, scientists and businesses, biotechnology will not only improve agricultural products but also open up opportunities for Vietnamese agriculture to enter a new phase: modern – green – sustainable.

In recent years, agricultural biology has been placed in a strategic position. Research on drought- and salt-resistant crop varieties, livestock adapted to climate change, or biological products to replace chemical fertilizers and traditional pesticides are gradually being applied in practice.

Biotechnology helps farmers reduce risks, increase productivity, improve product quality and protect the environment. New plant varieties not only grow well in harsh conditions but also retain nutritional quality and distinctive flavor, contributing to increasing the added value of Vietnamese agricultural products.

One of the most obvious changes is the emergence of biological products and organic fertilizers that help reduce dependence on chemicals. Thanks to that, land is protected, the rural environment is less polluted, and agricultural products are safer. Many farming households in the Mekong Delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces have recorded a 15-30% increase in productivity after using biological products, while reducing input costs thanks to the reduction of chemical fertilizers.

However, for biotechnology to be most effective, there needs to be close coordination between the parties: the State, research institutes, businesses and farmers. Research on plant varieties, animal vaccines or biological products, if done alone, is difficult to be widely applied. Only when combined with businesses capable of commercialization, with policy support and training, can biotechnology "go to the fields" and create real economic value.

Not only does it improve productivity and quality, biotechnology also helps farmers and businesses forecast trends, manage risks and optimize production processes. Thanks to digital biological data solutions, information on varieties, pests or soil conditions is constantly updated, thereby adjusting fertilizers, irrigation, and crop care intelligently, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

Biotechnology also creates opportunities for farmers in remote areas, which have difficulty accessing large markets. With just technical guidance and connections with businesses, farmers can apply biological solutions to improve productivity and product quality, thereby participating in the modern agricultural value chain. Thanks to that, products are not only limited to domestic consumption but also meet export standards, raising the brand of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Businesses have also recognized the benefits of applying biotechnology. Many units have applied microbial products, organic fertilizers, and biological vaccines in production, creating clean, high-quality products that meet international standards. Not only does biotechnology improve production efficiency, it also helps reduce long-term costs, protect the environment, and increase reputation and brand value in the market.

Application of biotechnology for sustainable agricultural development.

However, challenges still exist. Vietnam still lacks investment resources for applied research, infrastructure is limited, and high-quality human resources are not enough to meet the requirements of technology transfer. The legal framework on agricultural biology and biosafety is still in the process of completion, so large-scale application still faces many risks. Without training support mechanisms and incentive policies for businesses and farmers, biotechnology will hardly achieve the expected results.

Biotechnology, when developed synchronously and applied properly, will help Vietnamese agriculture move from dependence on chemicals and nature to green, sustainable, smart and adaptive agriculture. It brings opportunities to create safe, high-quality agricultural products, contributing to increasing export value and developing the rural economy.

Biotechnology innovation is a long journey, requiring consensus, coordination and investment in the right direction. But once successful, each seed, each field, each household can become a "smart production unit", contributing to the building of a modern, sustainable and proactive agriculture.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/doi-moi-cong-nghe-bi-hoc-hy-vong-moi-cho-nong-nghiep-viet-nam-197251130153156641.htm