Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan stressed the need to promote scientific research in a bid to ensure sustainable development for the agricultural sector.

The Deputy PM was speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on June 17, during which he described agriculture as one of Vietnam ’s strengths and a sector greatly contributing to the country’s exports.

Apart from such factors as soil and human resources, new varieties and advanced technologies were of significance to the development of agriculture, he said.

With its own inherent advantages, Vietnam needed to become a power in agriculture while ensuring the sector’s sustainable development in the next ten years, he said.

The leading government official said the Party and State attached much importance to agricultural and rural development, especially investment in agriculture. He added that the State was ready to pour money into scientific agricultural research to help raise productivity and quality.

He urged relevant ministries, agencies and localities to give priority to scientific research and apply their outcomes in agricultural production.

In reply, MARD Minister Cao Duc Phat said that the research, application and transfer of science and technology were urgently required to ensure the sector’s effective and sustainable development.

Past achievements have proved that science and technology helped to increase productivity, quality and competitiveness for the sector, he said.

The industry, therefore, has continuously revamped its mechanisms and policies to encourage the involvement of individuals and economic sectors, the minister said.

At the meeting, MARD Deputy Minister Bui Ba Bong made a report on results of technological research and transfer during the 2006-2010 period, which, he said actively contributed to agricultural production and rural development.

Most worthy of note was the improvement in quality of agricultural materials and products, helping to promote made-in-Vietnam product prestige in both local and foreign markets, he said./.