Conservation, sustainable exploitation and development of genetic resources.

(Baonghean.vn) - As part of the activities commemorating Vietnam Science and Technology Day, on the afternoon of May 16th, the Department of Science and Technology organized a workshop on the conservation, exploitation, and development of genetic resources in Nghe An province.

The workshop was attended by many scientists from research institutes and branches of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vinh University, and scientific research centers in the province. Mr. Ho Ngoc Luat – Director of the Department of Local Science and Technology Development (Ministry of Science and Technology); and Mr. Tran Quoc Thanh, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, chaired the workshop.

Overview of the conference

Nghe An province is considered to have high biodiversity with many rare and valuable plant and animal species such as: the Quy duck, Tuong Duong mango, oil palm, seven-leaf one-flower, golden orchid, H'Mong chicken, H'Mong buffalo, purple sticky rice, catfish, golden snapper... However, due to various reasons, biodiversity resources have been severely depleted. Many species are facing the risk of extinction in the near future. Given this situation, the restoration and protection of ecosystems, species diversity, and genetic diversity to conserve biodiversity is extremely necessary and urgent.

Mr. Tran Quoc Thanh, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, presented the potential and work of preserving and exploiting genetic resources.

Over the years, Nghe An province has collaborated with institutes, sub-institutes, centers, and universities to conduct surveys and conserve rare and endangered plant and animal species. On November 22, 2013, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 5529/QD-UBND approving the framework plan for the conservation, preservation, and sustainable exploitation of genetic resources. From now until 2020, five major tasks for genetic resource conservation at the provincial level have been identified, with a projected total budget of 12.5 billion VND. Simultaneously, eight national-level genetic resource conservation tasks for the period from now until 2020 have been proposed.

At the workshop, delegates presented research and assessments on rare genetic resources in the province and activities related to their conservation and development. However, due to limited funding, scientific staff capacity, facilities, and equipment, this work still faces many difficulties. Delegates discussed and proposed solutions to improve the effectiveness of genetic resource conservation and exploitation in the province, including technical solutions, raising public awareness about the role of these resources in socio-economic development, and policy mechanisms to encourage cooperation and prioritize the development of certain products that can become strong provincial brands, thereby improving people's livelihoods.

Pham Bang