Professor and Academician Tran Dinh Long, Chairman of the Vietnam Plant Breeding Association, is a prime example of the patriotic emulation movement in agricultural science. He has always quietly, persistently, and devotedly contributed to the farmers and the sustainable development of the country.
For over half a century dedicated to plant breeding research, he not only left behind valuable scientific works and commercially viable plant varieties but also sowed lasting "seeds of knowledge" for Vietnam's agricultural sector. Wherever he went, farmers affectionately called him "the Academician of the Farmers." This simple yet deeply respectful title reflects the profound appreciation for a scientist who always prioritized serving the people above all else.
Using the rice fields as a foundation
Born and raised in the rural area of Phu Tho province, deeply connected to agricultural production, Professor and Academician Tran Dinh Long understood the hardships of farmers and the value of seeds to their lives from an early age. Based on this practical experience, he chose the path of agricultural science with a consistent belief: Science is only truly meaningful when it directly serves production and improves the lives of the people.
During his studies and research abroad, Professor Tran Dinh Long persistently pursued crops adapted to Vietnam's farming conditions; especially food crops, legumes, and food crops capable of improving soil quality and increasing production efficiency. Upon returning to Vietnam and directly participating in research, he always considered the fields as the "largest laboratory," the most honest testing ground for the value of each scientific work.
From state-level research projects to production models, Professor Tran Dinh Long always dedicates significant time to visiting the grassroots level, directly interacting with farmers, and monitoring the effectiveness of new crop varieties under real-world conditions. For him, scientific results cannot stop at reports or conferences; they must be present in every field, contributing to the income and livelihoods of the people.
Throughout the various stages of Vietnam's agricultural development, he consistently adjusted his research direction to suit practical needs. When the country faced food shortages, he focused on high-yield varieties. As production stabilized, he shifted to improving the quality of agricultural products. When the market demanded high standards of safety and value, he continued to pursue crop varieties that were both high-yielding and high-quality, environmentally friendly, and adaptable to climate change.
Throughout his career, Professor Tran Dinh Long has been the author and co-author of dozens of newly recognized plant varieties. Many of these varieties have been widely applied in production, helping farmers increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve income. From the research lab to the fields, his scientific imprint is present in many seasons across agricultural production regions of the country.
A significant milestone in his scientific career was his research, selection, and development of stevia in Vietnam. In 1988, General Vo Nguyen Giap brought stevia seeds from Cuba to Vietnam and entrusted them to the scientific community for research, hoping to open up a new direction for cultivating plants to serve public health. From this initial seed source, Professor Tran Dinh Long and his colleagues persevered in their research, and in 1995, they developed the ST88 stevia variety – the first to be produced domestically. Based on this, he continued to select and develop subsequent generations of varieties with higher quality and yield.
The stevia he researched has a high sweetness level but contains no calories, making it suitable for people with diabetes, and it also opens up new livelihoods for many localities. Because of this practical effectiveness, farmers affectionately call him "Mr. Stevia" - a simple nickname for a scientist who dedicated his life to farming.
Evaluating his contributions, Professor, Doctor of Science Dang Vu Minh, former President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, said that Professor, Academician Tran Dinh Long was the author of many prestigious scientific works both domestically and internationally. More importantly, the research topics he led were closely linked to plant varieties and agricultural practices in Vietnam . Not only a scientist, he was also a kind and dedicated person, devoted to his colleagues and students, and respected and loved by generations of scientists.
Spreading the spirit of patriotic emulation
Professor and Academician Tran Dinh Long not only left his mark in research, but also had a profound influence in training, scientific organization, and social activities. He was a mentor to many generations of agricultural scientists, directly guiding dozens of doctoral students and training many master's and engineering graduates in the field of plant breeding. Many of his students now hold important positions in research institutes, management agencies, and agricultural enterprises both domestically and internationally.
Alongside his teaching career, he authored numerous valuable scientific books, some of which are used as official teaching materials at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. For him, each page of a book is not only a source of knowledge but also a responsibility of a pioneer in nurturing the next generation and building a lasting foundation for the agricultural sector.
In the field of scientific organization, Professor Tran Dinh Long held many important responsibilities, especially as Chairman of the Vietnam Plant Breeding Association for many years. Under his leadership, the Association became a gathering place for leading experts and an effective bridge between scientists, businesses, and farmers, contributing to the rapid application of technological advancements in production.
Assessing his role in the field of gene conservation, Professor, Doctor La Tuan Nghia, former Director of the Center for Plant Resources, stated that Professor, Academician Tran Dinh Long was one of the key scientists who contributed to the founding and laying the foundation for the National Plant Gene Bank more than half a century ago. This is a strategically significant scientific work, creating a basis for the conservation, exploitation, and promotion of plant genetic resources for long-term use in breeding and national food security.
According to Professor La Tuan Nghia, in the field of genetics and plant breeding, Professor Tran Dinh Long has always been considered a role model to learn from and strive for, not only because of his professional competence but also because of his sense of responsibility, dedication to colleagues and succeeding generations.
Besides research and training, he actively participated in social activities; for many years he was a member of advisory organizations on science and development, contributing opinions to policies related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. In every role, he maintained a simple, responsible work style, prioritizing the common good over personal gain.
In 2025, the enduring contributions of Professor and Academician Tran Dinh Long continued to be recognized. He was honored as an outstanding citizen of Hanoi and was one of six exemplary Vietnamese scientists recognized by the Russian Academy of Sciences. Also in that year, he was honored as a national exemplary figure in studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh, affirming the value of a lifelong dedicated scientist who used the effectiveness of serving the people as the highest measure of his contributions.
For Professor and Academician Tran Dinh Long, the greatest impact is that the knowledge he sowed has taken root in the fields, thrived in the livelihoods of farmers, and spread to subsequent generations. The image of "Academician of the Farmers" is therefore not just a title, but also a vivid symbol of the patriotic spirit of emulation: working diligently, innovating relentlessly, and dedicating one's entire life to science, to the people, and to the future of the country.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/vien-si-cua-nha-nong-20251227112712990.htm
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