Bac Giang strengthens sci-tech application

Priority investment

A preliminary summing-up of a three-year project was held May 12 on the implementation of a coordination program for scientific and technological activities between the Bac Giang People’s Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the Vietnam National University of Agriculture.

Speaking at the event, Bac Giang People’s Committee Chairman Duong Van Thai said recognizing the role and importance of science and technology, Bac Giang Province has adopted many resolutions and issued action plans to strengthen the application of scientific and technological achievements.

Through the coordination program, the province has received priority in investment from the agencies. Many key products of the province are protected in some countries, thus enhancing the value and quality of their export. For example, Luc Ngan lychees are protected in seven countries (Laos, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Australia, Singapore).

These key products have contributed to promoting local economic development. The province’s gross regional domestic product reached a record high growth of 10.4 percent in 2016. In addition, the province attracted 112 domestic investment projects with a total registered capital of more than VND12 trillion.

Disease-free potato

Nguyen Duc Kien, director of the Bac Giang Department of Science and Technology, said that the Ministry of Science and Technology provided support for Bac Giang Province in 14 scientific and technological tasks at a national level with a total funding of VND53 billion during the 2014-2017 period.

A number of other projects have also helped increase productivity, quality and competitiveness of key products and raised local incomes. These include a project to build a turmeric farming model to provide materials for health food production, a project to apply technology in producing a disease-free orange variety, and another to build a model for producing and preserving disease-free potato.

In their speeches, some participants pointed out that despite the positive outcomes, shortcomings remain. Some delegates suggested the Ministry of Science and Technology give priority to Bac Giang in projects under the national science-technology program, help the province build a research and application center at the regional level, and support the province in post-harvest preservation technology, treatment of environmental pollution and science-technology human resources.