Every agricultural scientist is also “a farmer”

How to bring scientific products closer to production practice, so that “science must reach the fields”. Our mission is not only to research to create knowledge, but more importantly, to turn that knowledge into products, into practical solutions, helping farmers get rich right on their homeland.

Nurturing the aspiration to innovate the country's agriculture

The fourth time I returned to the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, I still kept the same feelings as the first time: I was able to contemplate the achievements of the predecessors who had received the Ho Chi Minh Prize: Luong Dinh Cua, Bui Huy Dap, Dao The Tuan, Vu Tuyen Hoang and the next generations; I felt that this was not only a place for agricultural science research, but also a place to nurture the aspiration to innovate the country's agriculture.

Not an agricultural scientist but I still feel very proud.

Over the past four years, as Minister, I have had the opportunity to work closely with research institutes. I have met with scientists in public forums, as well as talked privately with individual institutes, members, and groups of scientists.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan speaks at the seminar "Improving the quality of research and the effectiveness of transferring technical advances in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW" organized by the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, March 20, 2025. Photo: Quang Khanh

Currently, the Politburo has issued Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. General Secretary To Lam emphasized that this is a " Resolution of resolutions ", " Resolution of action ".

The National Assembly also passed Resolution 193/2025/QH15 on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. These two special resolutions are expected to create breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

Thus, even though there may still be many difficulties, we must act together in the era of national growth, each of us must also grow ourselves.

❝ No matter how many difficulties there may still be, we must act together in the era of national growth, each of us must also grow ourselves. ❞

Scene of the Seminar "Improving the quality of research and the effectiveness of transferring technical advances in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW" organized by the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, March 20, 2025. Photo: Quang Khanh

Science and technology - the beacon illuminating the future of agriculture

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo affirmed: “ Developing science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation is a top important breakthrough, the main driving force to rapidly develop modern productive forces, perfect production relations, innovate national governance methods, develop the socio-economy, prevent the risk of falling behind, and bring the country to breakthrough development and prosperity in the new era ”.

So, if we do not harness the power of science and technology in an age where artificial intelligence “can” do “things that seem impossible”, we will fall behind.

General Secretary To Lam also emphasized at the National Conference on Science and Technology Development: " Science must enter life, must serve the people, and must become the driving force for national development ."

The world is entering a new era where science and technology are not only a part of life but also a decisive factor in the future of each country.

Scientist Albert Einstein once said: “ We cannot solve a problem with the same thinking that created it .”

Or in other words, “ if you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done .”

If we only rely on traditional experience, using only our hands and old farming habits, Vietnamese agriculture will hardly be able to compete and develop sustainably in the context of globalization and climate change.

Likewise, if we still think about scientific research in the old way, will it be difficult or slow to create outstanding scientific products?

❝ If we only rely on traditional experience, using only our hands and old farming habits, Vietnamese agriculture will hardly be able to compete and develop sustainably in the context of globalization and climate change. ❞

Artificial Intelligence - a turning point in agriculture and agricultural science research

In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution, artificial intelligence (AI) is opening up unprecedented opportunities for agriculture and agricultural scientific research.

From Big Data analytics, accurate weather forecasting, production process optimization, to crop disease monitoring - all are being effectively supported by AI.

A few days ago, the National Assembly held a conference on digital transformation and artificial intelligence. I also asked AI to answer what could be done to promote scientific research and received the following 6 useful answers.

1

AI helps speed up research.
AI can read millions of scientific papers in just a few hours, medical and biological research can be shortened from several years to a few months.

2

AI helps detect and predict scientific trends.
AI can analyze millions of scientific papers, patents, and technology reports to find hidden connections, thereby predicting which fields will explode in the future. Researchers do not need to read thousands of documents, but only focus on the most potential ideas, saving research effort and costs.

3

AI helps simulate and test theories faster.
Scientific research is shortened from years to months, accelerating technological innovation.

4

AI helps optimize the research process.
AI can automatically collect and analyze data in scientific experiments, can suggest process improvements, optimize experiments to achieve faster results.

5

AI helps create new inventions that humans have not thought of yet.
AI not only supports research, but also creates entirely new knowledge.

6

AI helps people collaborate on research more effectively.
AI platforms help connect scientists globally, share data quickly, and can translate scientific language to help scientific collaboration overcome geographical barriers. AI turns scientific research from an individual effort into an ecosystem.
global

In the words of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking: “ Artificial intelligence could be either the best or the worst thing that ever happened to humanity. We have to make sure it is used properly .” Just imagine:

• A farmer can use an app on his phone to scan an image of a plant's leaves and instantly know if the plant is infested with pests or diseases.

• A shrimp farm can automatically adjust feed quantity and water temperature thanks to a smart AI system.

• A scientist can analyze millions of soil samples in just a few minutes, finding the variety that is best suited to the natural conditions of each region.

That means, AI does not replace humans but is a tool to support humans, helping them make better, faster, and more accurate decisions. Faster thinking is the thinking of the winner in a world that changes so quickly that the new thing has not yet taken shape before a newer one appears.

❝ AI does not replace humans but is a tool to support humans, helping them make better, faster, and more accurate decisions. Faster thinking is the thinking of the winner in a world that changes so quickly that before a new thing can take shape, a newer one has already appeared. ❞

Science must reach the fields

On the way to visit VAAS today, on both sides are Vinh Quynh and Thanh Tri fields, farmers are bending over vegetable beds and rice fields. That is the image representing agriculture, farmers, and rural areas of Vietnam.

Scientists go to work every day passing green vegetable fields, banana groves, and flower beds.

Although they are close, the farmers, though separated by scientific documents and dirty hands, still share the same path, the same mission, the same aspiration for a prosperous agriculture, well-off farmers, and a vibrant countryside.

On the contrary, scientific and technological products ultimately share the same aspiration. Thus, no matter how excellent a research is, if it only exists on paper or in scientific journals, it cannot be called a success. Science is only truly meaningful when it helps life, when farmers can apply and benefit from it.

❝ No matter how excellent a research is, if it only exists on paper or only in scientific journals, it cannot be called a success. Science is only truly meaningful when it helps life, when farmers can apply and benefit from it. ❞

Scientist Louis Pasteur once said: " Science has no borders, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the light that illuminates the world ." So how can we keep science from being stuck in the laboratory? How can we keep farmers from seeing science as something far away? In my opinion:

• Scientists need to listen more – understand the real needs of farmers, and work closely with businesses to put research into production.

• Science policies need to be more practical – don't let administrative barriers slow down innovation.

• Research institutes need to train a more practical younger generation – not only good at theory but also knowing how to turn knowledge into economic value.

Marie Curie, who received the Nobel Prize in science twice, said: “ Nothing in life is to be feared, there are only things to be understood better .”

We are not afraid of new thinking, new technologies, or the challenges ahead – we just need to understand better, act faster, and be more determined!

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan and delegates witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation between the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the National Agricultural Extension Center, March 20, 2025. Photo: Quang Khanh

I share the concerns of many scientists for a long time.

That is , the old mechanism created scientists who spent more time on administrative procedures than on research, and some even said that the old mechanism forced scientists to lie.

That is , the old mechanism does not promote innovation because of fear of risk.

That is , many young scientists leave one after another, work as security guards, or sell products online.

That is , the old mechanism is still backward compared to the world in terms of financial mechanism and project bidding.

In my opinion, that is absolutely correct and that is why there is Resolution 57, Resolution 193 and is preparing to amend the Law on Science and Technology.

There are new points in the 2 Resolutions, which are: accepting the risks of science and technology, allowing the establishment of funds for scientific and technological research, reducing procedures, allowing contracting to intermediate and final products .

Let’s leave the old mechanisms behind, or put them in a museum displaying the history of agricultural science like a period before Contract 10 in agriculture. From today, we need to think according to Resolution 57 and act according to Resolution 193. There is still much to do to continue perfecting the scientific and technological institutions, but from now on, we can still think new and do things differently.

❝ Let's leave the old mechanisms behind, or put them in a museum displaying the history of agricultural science like a period before Contract 10 in agriculture. From today we need to think according to Resolution 57 and act according to Resolution 193. There is still much to do to continue perfecting the scientific and technological institutions, but from now on we can still think new and do things differently. ❞

Recently, the policy of merging some ministries and merging provincial and communal administrative units is being implemented, considered a revolution to create a larger economic space as General Secretary To Lam said.

So do we need to make a new revolution: Merge some member units of VAAS Institute? We are encouraging farmers to break the " land consolidation " dike to produce larger quantities.

Can we courageously break down the “dykes” in scientific research organizations? Merging and merging member units will open up wider research space.

I imagine that doing so would cut down on indirect costs and free up more direct funding for research.

I also envision that when we merge and consolidate, we will have outstanding cross-industry, multi-field products in circular agriculture, smart agriculture, and multi-value agriculture.

I also envision that research products will be supported by AI, so that agricultural scientific research products will be developed based on artificial intelligence, thereby shaping smart agriculture through the integration of artificial intelligence.

Resolution 57-NQ/TW has set out major directions, but what is more important is how to put this resolution into practice, creating a real turning point in scientific research and innovation in the agricultural sector.

Every great achievement starts with small actions today. If we lay a solid foundation today, tomorrow Vietnamese agriculture will stand firmly on its own two feet, reaching out to the world!

❝ Every great achievement starts with small actions today. If we lay a solid foundation today, then tomorrow Vietnamese agriculture will stand firmly on its own two feet, reaching out to the world! ❞

Together we agree that doing science is not for beautiful reports, but for sustainable agriculture, for prosperous farmers, for the future of our children, how to bring scientific products closer to practical production, so that " science must reach the fields ". Our mission is not only to research to create knowledge, but more importantly, to turn that knowledge into products, into practical solutions, to help farmers get rich right on their homeland.

Presented by: Duy Thong