Nghe An: Lack of resources for science and technology development

Provincial leaders visited the medicinal plant development project in the mountainous district of Ky Son, consisting of two components supported by the provincial Department of Science and Technology for investment. Photo: Archive

OVERCOMING THE SPREADING PROBLEM

PV:Can you share the developments after more than 2 years of implementing Resolution No. 06 of the Provincial Party Executive Committee?

Comrade Tran Quoc Thanh:After 2 years of implementing Resolution No. 06, the important change is that awareness of science and technology at all levels, sectors and enterprises has been raised. Science and technology research activities associated with application have been promoted, while at the same time, the direction has been gradually changed to overcome the dispersion through identifying 6 priority areas for science and technology investment, including: high-tech agriculture; medicine and pharmacy; science, society and humanities; science and technology serving socio-economic development of districts, towns and cities; information technology; environment.

Spirulina production using Japanese technology in Nghe An. Photo courtesy

The impact of science and technology is also implemented along the product value chain, from the stages of seeds, fertilizers, cultivation techniques, pest control, drip irrigation, geographical indication development, post-harvest preservation, and brand building. The most obvious products are oranges, passion fruit, Quy Chau incense, yellow flower tea, Japonica rice, Nghe An tea, black plum, etc.

The province also directed the effective implementation of the 100 products program, based on the selection of special and typical plants and animals of the province to have scientific and technological impacts to create competitive products in the market.

Up to now, out of 100 selected products, 46 products have been impacted by multi-dimensional science and technology, and more than 70 products have been impacted at some "links" in the value chain.

Comrade Tran Quoc Thanh - Director of Department of Science and Technology

Handing over scientific and technological research topics to departments, branches and localities. Photo: Document

Science and technology activities are also focused on the conservation, exploitation and development of rare and valuable genetic resources of economic value in the Western Nghe An region, such as Puxailaileng ginseng, mu tun tree, yellow flower tea, codonopsis, golden orchid, seven-leaf one-flower tree, red polygonum multiflorum, etc. This is the foundation for implementing the program of developing medicinal materials and pharmaceutical industry on the basis of attracting businesses to invest. The province also promotes the intellectual property program, including intellectual property on inventions and useful solutions and intellectual property on brands.

To date, the province has 181 enterprises registered for industrial property; 939 objects are protected for trademarks, designs, utility solutions and inventions. Nghe An has formed an innovative startup ecosystem, motivating many organizations and individuals to boldly start businesses, while attracting investment resources from enterprises to "support" the development of science and technology startup projects...

"The results of science and technology activities have contributed to economic growth measured by the Total Factor Productivity Index (TFP) reaching 30%; The value of high-tech products and high-tech applications reaching 20%..."

Comrade Tran Quoc Thanh - Director of Department of Science and Technology

High-tech agricultural chain in Nghia Dan. Photo: Archive

NOT PROPORTIONAL TO INVESTMENT RESOURCES

PV:What are the remaining shortcomings and limitations in the implementation of Resolution 06 compared to the requirements of production and life, comrade?

Comrade Tran Quoc Thanh:First of all, investment resources for science and technology development have not met the requirements of society, only reaching about 0.54% of the regulation of 2% of budget expenditure. On the other hand, although the socialized mobilization resources for research and application of science and technology from units, enterprises and farmers have increased to 60% and the State has decreased to 40% (higher than the national average, socialized resources are 52% and the State is 48%); however, the total investment resources have only met a very small number. Mobilizing resources to implement the project of Nghe An becoming a science and technology center in the North Central region is facing difficulties.

Traditional fish sauce production. Photo: Archive

In particular, there are not many products that form a value chain to create real goods on a large scale. The program of 100 products with scientific and technological impact has only achieved initial results, and has not yet created products that can spread and "pop" out of the district or province; including medicinal products such as Solanum procumbens tea, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Gymnema sylvestre, Golden flower tea, Nghe An tea, Cua Hoi fish sauce, Japonica rice, Ky Son ginger, Puxailaileng ginseng, etc.

Another weakness is that the force of the science and technology team implementing the application is not strong enough to work with businesses and farmers; especially at the district and commune levels, it is even weaker, including the forces at the centers with the function of transferring and applying science and technology, and businesses. The speed of technological innovation in businesses is still slow.

"The technology level of enterprises is mainly medium and low, leading to low quality and competitiveness of products in domestic and foreign markets."

Comrade Tran Quoc Thanh - Director of Department of Science and Technology

Applying scientific and technological advances in sugarcane cultivation in Giai Xuan commune, Tan Ky district. Photo: Mai Hoa

PV:DTo continue accelerating the development of science and technology, what factors need to be resolved and what solutions need to be focused on in the coming time, comrade?

Comrade Tran Quoc Thanh:The key task and solution of the province in the coming time is to continue to direct the promotion of research associated with the application of science and technology by "pulling" scientists and businesses closer together, scientists research issues that society and businesses need, so that the supply and demand of science and technology meet.

Innovation is required, including product innovation, technological innovation and business thinking, chain economic models based on the 4.0 platform and possible local application conditions. Innovation is also related to startups based on enterprises formed from technology platforms or based on new economic model platforms. Regarding State policies, changes are also needed to meet the requirements of science and technology development and innovation domestically, in the province and in accordance with international regulations.

On the other hand, the province will also shift its direction to integrate programs based on the province’s key product programs to focus on the impact of science and technology, especially high-tech agriculture and medicinal herbs. Along with that, it will allocate resources from science and technology programs to “activate” start-ups, innovation and support start-ups and innovation; thereby increasing socialized resources for investment in this field.

We also need to continue to improve the capacity of science and technology communication to introduce effective scientific research models for application and replication in production and life; focus on developing science and technology potential to have enough capacity to absorb and master advanced technology and equipment, as well as research; attract investment, promote potential, and socialize investment in science and technology...

PV:Thank you for this exchange!

High-tech clean vegetable production in Quynh Lien - Hoang Mai town. Photo: Archive