The Department of Science and Technology visited the Phalaenopsis orchid cultivation model at the Research and Application Center for the Transfer of Scientific and Technological Advancements in Agriculture and Forestry in Moc Chau district.

Policy concretization

In implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated January 30, 2023, of the Politburo on the development and application of biotechnology to serve the sustainable development of the country in the new situation, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee issued Action Program No. 21-CTr/TU dated March 21, 2023, on the development and application of biotechnology in Son La province with specific goals, tasks, and solutions.

This includes focusing on promoting information dissemination and introduction of biotechnology achievements, enhancing knowledge of biotechnology and biodiversity conservation; investing in infrastructure to meet the requirements of biotechnology research, development, and application; conserving genetic resources and applying biotechnology; widely and effectively applying biotechnology in socio-economic fields; and proactively training high-quality biotechnology human resources…

The Provincial People's Committee directs the Department of Science and Technology to take the lead and coordinate with other departments, agencies, and the People's Committees of districts and cities to develop a specific plan and organize the implementation of tasks related to the development and application of biotechnology; promptly update and replicate achievements in applied biotechnology.

Mr. Luu Binh Khiem, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, stated: Biotechnology is one of the four science and technology fields prioritized for investment and development by the province. In recent times, implementing Action Program No. 21-CTr/TU, the Department has collaborated with universities, research institutes, and businesses to carry out research tasks on biotechnology in various fields; effectively applying new generation biotechnology to practical production, improving the output and quality of economically valuable goods.

Putting biotechnology into practice.

Biotechnology is a high-tech field based on the science of life, combined with technical processes and equipment, aiming to create technologies that exploit the living activities of microorganisms, plant and animal cells to produce high-quality products on an industrial scale, serving socio-economic development and environmental protection.

The development of biotechnology has been practically applied by businesses, cooperatives, and farmers in production across many sectors. Notably, in agriculture, biotechnology plays a crucial role, creating new crops, livestock, microbial strains, and processed agricultural products with high productivity and quality. Through genetic engineering, in vitro technology, and microbial technology, biotechnology is used in breeding and propagation, effectively serving the needs of restructuring crop and livestock production in the province.

Cordyceps products from Son La utilize biotechnology.

The research and application center for the transfer of scientific and technological advancements in agriculture and forestry in Moc Chau district, under the Center for Supporting Startup Innovation (Department of Science and Technology), is a prime example of a unit actively engaged in scientific research, development, and application of biotechnology advancements to serve production, such as: Phalaenopsis orchids, seedless grapes, hybrid yellow melons, bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms, and Lisianthus flowers. In addition, the unit also researches various biological preparations for pest and disease control in crops, providing safe products to the market. The research center has also implemented and completed the project "Improving the process of propagating Dendrobium orchids using tissue culture methods".

Ms. Tran Thi Van Anh, Director of the Center for Supporting Innovative Startups, shared: "Golden Orchid is a medicinal plant with high economic value, effective in treating cancer, antibacterial properties, etc. Due to its small quantity and over-exploitation, it is becoming increasingly scarce. In carrying out this project, the research team experimented with growing it on a substrate. To date, they have perfected the propagation process using tissue culture methods, successfully propagating over 10,000 Golden Orchid plants, which have been transferred to nurseries and are growing well. The Center is transferring this technology to the people and businesses to develop commercial Golden Orchid cultivation, contributing to the conservation of the species and increasing income from this plant."

In aquaculture, the application of biotechnology in developing cage fish farming on hydroelectric reservoirs has been widely implemented. Several units and enterprises in the province have successfully produced fish fry using methods such as claw spawning, incubating eggs in finned tanks, applying crossbreeding methods, or using chemicals to create high-quality, single-sex breeds. In the livestock sector, applications include embryo transfer technology for purebred dairy cows in Moc Chau, artificial insemination of cows using semen from high-quality breeds (Brahman), and the use of active probiotics in the fermentation and processing of animal feed on a household scale.

In the field of medicine, several new products based on biotechnology applications, such as the production of nutritional products from brewer's yeast biomass and research into the production of traditional herbal medicines, have been implemented by many units. The research results contribute to improving the capacity for community health care and protection.

Farmers in Mai Son district use biological products in animal feed.

In the environmental field, biotechnology is widely applied in the treatment of livestock waste through biogas technology, bedding, and biological preparations, aiming to minimize the risk of environmental pollution.

The Phuong Nam Cooperative, located in Long Phieng commune, Yen Chau district, was established in 2016. Its main activity is livestock farming, regularly raising nearly 200 sows and approximately 1,500 fattening pigs. Due to the large scale of livestock farming, a significant amount of waste is generated. Although a biogas digester has been built to treat the waste, wastewater still overflows into the environment. In 2018, the cooperative was selected by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to pilot a wastewater treatment system that separates solid waste from livestock farming.

Mr. Tran Nhu Kien, Director of the Cooperative, said: "All livestock waste is fed into a processing machine, which can press about 70 tons of dry manure per year on average. This manure is then processed by the Cooperative, composted with coffee grounds and cassava peels, mixed with probiotics, and used as organic fertilizer for fruit trees. The wastewater is sent to a settling tank for treatment, and then used to irrigate the fruit trees. By utilizing the treated livestock waste and wastewater, we have saved 40% on fertilizer costs, improved soil fertility, increased productivity of the Cooperative's fruit trees, and solved the problem of environmental pollution in livestock farming."

The goal is to become a center for processing agricultural products.

Despite the achievements, the development and application of biotechnology in the province still face limitations: Investment in research and development of biotechnology is low and not commensurate with the province's potential and advantages. The main source of funding for biotechnology research and development comes from the state budget; the mobilization of social resources for biotechnology research, application, and development has not met the requirements. Some application models are slow to be widely adopted in production; and there is a shortage of biotechnology specialists…

The laboratories at Northwest University are equipped with modern facilities.

The goal is for Son La to become one of the relatively developed provinces in the Northwest region by 2030, a center for processing agricultural products in the Northern Midlands and mountainous region, and to develop the application of high technology, biotechnology, organic farming, and circular production.

To achieve this goal and truly develop biotechnology, making it play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development, requires coordination among all levels, sectors, and businesses in implementing programs and models, while expanding production scale in some advantageous fields such as agriculture and processing industries; and investing in upgrading and strengthening the capacity of the Innovation and Startup Support Center.

In addition, focus on training high-quality human resources; establish and support 2-3 enterprises operating in modern biotechnology production, business, and services; attract investment to develop 2-3 centers, organizations, and enterprises, both public and private, with biotechnology potential to meet the requirements for research, acquisition, and mastery of technology to organize the transfer and production of biotechnology products for application in various fields.

Focus on investing in the construction and effective operation of biotechnology laboratories equipped with modern and synchronized machinery and equipment... creating a new breakthrough in the application of biotechnology to serve the cause of industrialization and modernization.

Thanh Huyen