The PAN Group and the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) have taken a significant step forward in their collaborative journey, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 9 to extend their partnership. This agreement encompasses a broad spectrum of initiatives, including human resource development, research and technology transfer, fostering international relations, and providing scholarships for students. The move underscores a growing trend of increased investment in research, which is yielding enhanced outcomes for the agricultural industry.
In a parallel development, Vinaseed Group, a member of The PAN Group, also signed an MoU with the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute. This collaboration focuses on research, development, demonstration, and testing of crop varieties, as well as product development and technical advancement transfer. These agreements were inked during an international scientific conference on crop breeding technologies in Hanoi, aimed at leveraging collective efforts to study and develop new breeding methods that produce high-quality, climate-resilient crop varieties.
Nguyen Thi Tra My, CEO of The PAN Group, emphasized the pivotal role of crop breeding in agriculture. “Breeding crop varieties is the foundation of agriculture. Pioneering crop breeding is not only the responsibility of the industry but also a national mission related to seeds and food security,” she stated. My highlighted the strategic focus on this area, stressing the need for close collaboration between businesses and scientists. “Without technological innovation, genetic resources, and strong research-application linkages, progress remains limited,” she added. “That’s why we are actively investing in cutting-edge solutions like rapid breeding, gene editing, AI, and biotechnology, translating strategy into concrete action to secure long-term competitiveness.”
The Vietnam Seed Association (VSA) reports that the country’s crop production sector has achieved remarkable results, with agricultural export turnover reaching $62.5 billion in 2024, including a record nine million tonnes of rice. Over 1,000 crop varieties were recognized as being cultivated in Vietnam last year, including 455 rice varieties, over 200 corn varieties, and numerous varieties of fruit, industrial crops, and vegetables. However, to meet the goals of sustainable agricultural development, climate change adaptation, and international competitiveness, innovation in breeding technology remains critical.
The VSA notes that gene transfer technology has been applied to various crops, incorporating genes for resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, as well as for enhanced nutritional value. Leveraging AI, gene convergence, and gene editing in seed selection can drive innovation in Vietnam’s agricultural sector. By fostering collaboration between research facilities and corporations, these technologies can optimize breeding, production, and processing, enabling high-value, sustainable products and strengthening Vietnam’s domestic and global agricultural brands.
Businesses involved in research and development have significantly contributed to increasing the pool of new varieties for production, enhancing the productivity and output of crop seeds nationwide. Data from the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment last year noted that 60 per cent of certified seed varieties in circulation come from businesses and individuals, 31.7 per cent from institutes, centres, and departments, and the rest from foreign-invested enterprises.
According to the development strategy for Vietnam’s crop seed industry from now to 2035, efforts will focus on enhancing scientific and technological capacity in seeds, including gene conservation and utilisation, breeding research, and seed industry technology. By 2035, Vietnam’s agriculture will establish key seed production regions while creating good conditions for large enterprises like Vinaseed, Thai Binh Seed, and Nafood to research and produce crop seeds.
Nguyen Dinh Trung, deputy general director of Vinaseed, highlighted the advantages and challenges faced by businesses in this field. “Some enterprises with substantial financial resources invest in infrastructure and equipment for research. They are fully independent in research, and proactively connect with markets and consumers,” Trung said. “However, they also face challenges such as inconsistent policies, a lack of valuable gene sources, risks from market and weather fluctuations, competition, inadequate infrastructure, and, in particular, a shortage of high-quality human resources for researching and developing high-quality crop varieties. Thus, collaboration between businesses and institutes and universities is a solution to take advantage of the parties.”
The application of digital technology is seen as the key to developing sustainable agriculture, promoting efficient resource use, and enhancing productivity and quality. The agriculture sector has shown robust growth in the first quarter of the year, with businesses emerging as a bright spot despite market challenges. Initiatives like the Smart Agriculture Focus Group, driven by organizations such as the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), are further propelling the transformation of Vietnam’s agricultural sector towards modernization.