Conserving genetic resources with a vision toward 2030

On October 23, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held a workshop on “Assessment and Conservation of Genetic Resources for 2016-2025 and Orientation for 2026-2030” in the forestry and agricultural sectors.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri emphasized that, in recent years, the agriculture and forestry sectors have effectively utilized local genetic resources and native breeds in production, helping many agricultural and forestry products reach international markets. However, with the increasingly evident impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, many species face the risk of extinction, requiring a comprehensive, unified, and long-term conservation strategy.

To implement a long-term genetic resource conservation strategy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will task the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment with coordinating the development of a comprehensive conservation project for genetic resources in agriculture and the environment. This will provide a unified framework and guidance, avoiding a “go-it-alone” approach.

The Deputy Minister requested that, in the coming period, all scientific topics and projects on genetic resource conservation should strongly apply biotechnology, digital technology, AI, and big data, considering these as breakthrough approaches to shorten timelines and improve the quality and efficiency of research.

Regarding the legal framework, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposed adding provisions on access to and sharing of genetic resources to the Biodiversity Law, as part of a program to amend 15 laws in the agriculture and environment sectors currently being implemented by the Ministry. This provision will clarify the management mechanisms, scope, and entities permitted to share genetic resources domestically and internationally, while providing a transparent legal framework for research and international cooperation.

Ms. Nguyen Giang Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), noted that the conservation program for 2016-2025 has achieved substantial results, with approximately 30,000 agricultural plant genetic resources, nearly 4,000 forest plant genetic resources, and hundreds of microbial strains preserved, assessed, and made available for production.

Mr. Nguyen Van Long, Director of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), emphasized that the protection and safe management of genetic resources require greater attention. Without proper preservation, digitization, and systematic management, valuable genetic resources could be lost.

In the coming period, the Ministry will accelerate digital transformation in genetic resource management, applying artificial intelligence and big data to build a national database, strengthen conservation network connections, and link research institutes, universities, localities, and enterprises. The goal is to utilize genetic resources efficiently and develop them sustainably, aligned with the objectives of green, modern, and high-value-added agricultural development.

Linh Linh