Livestock and veterinary sector shifts to market-driven success

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien emphasized that the livestock and veterinary sector must undergo a decisive shift from pure research to practical application, creating tangible products that meet market demands.

In his closing remarks at the first National Conference on Livestock and Veterinary Science and Technology, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated that after a period of focused, serious, and responsible work, the conference had successfully completed all agenda items and achieved many important outcomes.

On behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, he acknowledged and expressed deep appreciation for the active and dedicated participation of delegates, scientists, enterprises, and organizations, which contributed to the overall success of the event.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highly appreciated the organization of the conference. Photo: Tung Dinh.

In assessing the organization of the conference, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien noted that it had been prepared in a systematic, coordinated, and professional manner. From documentation and logistics to the science and technology exhibition featuring 22 booths, as well as the plenary and specialized sessions, everything was conducted in a well-structured and effective manner. The actual number of participants exceeded 700, demonstrating the event's broad reach and strong interest across the entire sector. The composition of attendees was diverse, encompassing the full ecosystem, from government agencies, research institutes, and universities to enterprises and industry associations.

Regarding the technical content, the Deputy Minister highly appreciated the quality of the presentations. The morning session alone, with 12 reports, created a broad academic space, comprehensively covering fields from livestock production and veterinary science to processing technology and value chain development. The expert panels worked actively and openly, reflecting a high sense of responsibility among scientists and specialists.

Many participants pointed out that although the sector has made progress in technology and production organization, the scale, level of modernization, and degree of integration across value chains remain uneven. Developing complete product chains, from breeding, feed, and farming to slaughtering, processing, and market access, remains an urgent requirement.

Notably, the conference also candidly addressed systemic challenges. Among the most prominent are antimicrobial resistance, public awareness and production practices, as well as the need to ensure biosecurity in the context of deepening integration and trade. Issues related to disease control, vaccine development, epidemiological surveillance, and food safety remain priority areas for investment.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized that, beyond technical factors, it is essential to fully consider cultural aspects, consumer habits, and regional characteristics in organizing production and managing the sector. These are not easily changed but require appropriate solutions and gradual adjustments toward more modern, safer, and more integrated practices.

From a science and technology perspective, the conference acknowledged significant progress in breeding research and biotechnology, particularly in the utilization and development of indigenous genetic resources. Several studies on breeding, productivity improvement, and the application of biotechnology in livestock production have yielded positive results. However, mastery of core technologies, especially in vaccine production and veterinary biologicals, remains limited and requires systematic, long-term investment.

At the same time, areas such as animal feed, nutrition, environmental management, and deep processing technologies have yet to see major breakthroughs. Most efforts remain at the level of individual technical solutions, without forming integrated technological packages with strong commercialization potential.

An important highlight, as noted by the Deputy Minister, is the positive shift in education and human resource development. The training system, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, has gradually improved in quality, providing a more skilled workforce for the sector. However, stronger linkages between education, research, and industry are still needed to enhance practical relevance.

In concluding the conference, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated that the presentations had painted a comprehensive picture of the current situation, achievements, and development trends in science, technology, and innovation within the livestock and veterinary sectors. The conference also clearly identified key “bottlenecks” that need to be addressed in the coming period.

Building on these outcomes, he emphasized that the sector must undergo a strong shift in its approach to science and technology development, using practical application efficiency and market demand as key benchmarks, and moving from merely “producing research results” to “delivering products with market value.”

Accordingly, priority should be given to developing key science and technology programs that focus on critical areas such as vaccines, animal breeding, food safety, large-livestock production, and processing technologies. Implementation should be targeted and focused, avoiding fragmentation, with clearly defined responsibilities for each lead institution.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the central role of enterprises within the innovation ecosystem. Businesses should not only be end-users but also actively participate in research and technology investment to product commercialization. Research institutes and universities are expected to provide knowledge and human resources, while the State plays a facilitating role by improving mechanisms, policies, and the overall enabling environment.

In addition, stronger linkages across value chain actors, from production and processing to consumption, are essential. As the sector develops, supporting industries such as feed, veterinary pharmaceuticals, processing, and logistics must also evolve in a synchronized manner to create overall strength.

“Resources for science and technology investment are not lacking; the key is to use them effectively by selecting the right priorities. Research projects must avoid duplication and formality, and instead be driven by real-world needs with strong applicability,” he stressed.

Both the plenary and technical sessions were conducted with precision and efficiency. Photo: Tung Dinh.

Affirming that this was the first nationwide scientific conference of the sector to be held on such a large scale with comprehensive content, serving as an important foundation for building confidence and shaping future development directions, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien called on relevant agencies to promptly finalize the conference conclusions as a basis for proposing science and technology priorities for the next phase.

He also expressed confidence that, with the active engagement of scientists, enterprises, and relevant stakeholders, the livestock and veterinary sector will achieve a strong transformation, advancing toward modern, sustainable, and well-integrated development in the years ahead.