Background report for Asian development bank Strategy and road map for agricultural science and technology in Viet Nam

Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and
Technology in Viet Nam
ADB RSC C31072 - VIE

Background Report for
Asian Development Bank

March 2003

AGRIFOOD CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL


ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

Preface
This project report1 is an analysis of the current situation, needs, and potential mediumand long-term strategies to develop agricultural research and extension in Viet Nam. The
report provides a long-term road map for agriculture research and extension assistance
and it will be used as a basis for the development of a forthcoming ADB technical
assistance, which will in turn be used as a basis for a proposed investment loan in
Agricultural Science and Technology.
Specifically, the study collected relevant secondary information and data on the current
organization and medium- and long-term plans for agricultural research and extension.
The study undertook a consultative process with stakeholders to outline a vision for the
future direction of agricultural research and extension, identify constraints to future
development of agricultural research and extension and develop a preliminary set of
strategies and roadmap for development of the research and extension system.
The fieldwork for the study was carried out over four weeks in January and February 2003.
The study involved the analysis of background data, key informant interviews, and focus
group meetings with international NGOs, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies,
government officials, and research institutes involved in agricultural research and
technology in Viet Nam.

The report is the result of a joint effort by the Study Team of Francesco Goletti, Dominic
Smith and Tim Purcell from Agrifood Consulting International. The Study Team would like
to thank all those people who assisted in providing information and help in completing the
report. In particular, the team would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Nguyen Van
Bo, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Product Quality (DSTPQMARD) for his availability and encouragement and Mr. Nguyen Viet Hai from DSTPQ for
his excellent support and sharing of information. Translation and interpretation services
were provided by Mrs. Doan Bich Thuan, Mrs. Duong Thi Kim Lien and Mr. Nguyen Van
Bang.
The views expressed in this report are those of the consultants and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Asian Development Bank or the Government of Viet Nam.
Francesco Goletti
President, Agrifood Consulting International
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
17 March 2003

Agrifood Consulting International
1

To be cited as: Agrifood Consulting International (2003) Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science
and Technology in Viet Nam. ADB RSC C31072-VIE. Background Report for Asian Development Bank.
Agrifood Consulting International, Ha Noi, Viet Nam (March 2003).
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

Table of Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................2

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................3
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................6
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................8
List of Boxes ........................................................................................................................9
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations...................................................................................10
Executive Summary...........................................................................................................12
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................19
2 Background and Methodology ....................................................................................22
3 A Long Term Vision for Agricultural Research and Extension ....................................24
3.1
Long Term Prospects for the Agricultural Sector in Viet Nam and the Implications
for Agricultural Research and Extension ........................................................................25
3.2
A Vision for Agricultural Research and Extension ...............................................28
3.2.1
Elements of Vision for Agricultural Research ...................................................28
3.2.2
Elements of Vision for Agricultural Extension...................................................30
4 The Current Situation with Agricultural Research in Viet Nam....................................32
4.1
The Structure of Agricultural Research in Viet Nam ............................................32
4.1.1
Coordination and Management........................................................................34
4.2
Programs and Projects in Agricultural Research .................................................37
4.2.1
MOST Programs in Agricultural Research .......................................................37
4.2.2
MARD Programs in Agricultural Research .......................................................37
4.3

Funding and Financing for Agricultural Research................................................38
4.4
Plans, Policies and Legislation in Agricultural Research and Extension..............41
4.4.1
Planning and Program Documents ..................................................................41
4.4.2
Restructuring Documents ................................................................................41
4.4.3
Other Relevant Legislation...............................................................................42
4.5
Capacity in Agricultural Research........................................................................44
4.6
Recent Developments in Agricultural Research and Extension...........................45
4.6.1
ADB Policy Loan for Agricultural Sector Development.....................................45
4.6.2
Competitive Grant System in MARD................................................................47
4.6.3
Block Funding for Institutes under MARD ........................................................47
4.6.4
Restructuring Plans for Research Institutes under MARD ...............................48
4.7
Issues in the Agricultural Research and Extension System.................................49
4.7.1
Capacity ...........................................................................................................49
4.7.2
Equipment and Facilities..................................................................................50
4.7.3
Institutional Mechanisms..................................................................................51
5 Constraints in the Agricultural Research and Extension System ................................53

5.1
Monitoring and Evaluation ...................................................................................53
5.2
Equipment ...........................................................................................................54
5.3
Organization ........................................................................................................54
5.4
Methodology ........................................................................................................55
5.5
Incentives ............................................................................................................55
5.6
Capacity ..............................................................................................................55
5.7
Private Sector Involvement..................................................................................56
6 Strategies for Agricultural Science and Technology ...................................................57
6.1
Incentives, Monitoring and Evaluation .................................................................57
6.2
Equipment and Facilities .....................................................................................58
6.3
Capacity ..............................................................................................................58
6.4
Organization of Research Activities.....................................................................59
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

6.5
Private Sector Involvement..................................................................................59
7 A Roadmap for Agricultural Science and Technology Investment ..............................61
8 Conclusions ................................................................................................................66
9 Tables.........................................................................................................................69
10
Figures ....................................................................................................................90
11
Boxes ......................................................................................................................95
Terms of Reference ...........................................................................................................97
References and Bibliography.............................................................................................99
Appendix A
Background Document for Focus Groups...............................................105
Appendix A.1 Research Focus Group...........................................................................105
Appendix A.2 Extension Focus Group ..........................................................................109
Appendix B
Tranche Conditions for ADB Science and Technology Policy Loan........113
Appendix C
Selected Legislation................................................................................118
Appendix C.1
Decree 73/CP (1 November 1995) On the Establishment of MARD ...118
Appendix C.2
Decision No. 782-TTg (24 October 1996) On the Organization of
Research & Development Agencies in Science and Technology ....................................121
Appendix C.3
Resolution 120-NQ-BCS (30 November 2001) On Restructuring the
Research System 125
Appendix C.4
Resolution No. 16/2000/NQ-CP (18 October 2000) On Reduction of
Payroll in Administrative Agencies and Public-Service Units ...........................................130

Appendix C.5
Decision 132/1999/QD-BNN-HTQT (22 September 1999) On the
Management of External Fund Sources ..........................................................................135
Appendix C.6
Decision 40/1998/QD-BNN/VP (2 March 1998) Working Regulations of
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development..........................................................142
Appendix C.7
Circular 19/1999/TT-TCCP (June 30, 1999) International Cooperation
and Administrative Reform...............................................................................................150
Appendix C.8
Decree 17/2001/ND-CP (4 May 2001) Regulation on the Management
and Use of Official Development Assistance ...................................................................153
Appendix C.9
Law No 21/2000/QH10 (June 9, 2000) on Science and Technology...168
Appendix C.10 Regulation N2464 QĐ/BNN-KNCN (28 June 2002) On the Selection of
Research Units for 2002-2005 Research Programs ........................................................185
Appendix C.11 List of National Research Programs in 2003 .......................................194
Appendix D
Details of Selected Research Organizations...........................................195
Appendix D.1
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) .....195
Appendix D.2
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) ................206
Appendix D.3
Agricultural Genetics Institute..............................................................208
Appendix D.4
Can Tho University, Can Tho ..............................................................210
Appendix D.5
Forest Science Institute of Viet Nam ...................................................213
Appendix D.6

Ha Noi Agricultural University..............................................................220
Appendix D.7
Hue Agricultural University ..................................................................221
Appendix D.8
Institute of Agricultural Economics ......................................................222
Appendix D.9
Institute of Agricultural Science of Southern Viet Nam ........................223
Appendix D.10 National Institute of Agricultural Planning and Projection ....................225
Appendix D.11 National Institute of Animal Husbandry ...............................................229
Appendix D.12 National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategic
Studies
242
Appendix D.13 National Institute of Veterinary Research ............................................245
Appendix D.14 Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry ............................247
Appendix D.15 University of Agriculture and Forestry, Ho Chi Minh City.....................248
Appendix D.16 Viet Nam Agricultural Science Institute ...............................................249
Appendix D.17 Viet Nam Institute of Agricultural Engineering .....................................253
Appendix D.18 Viet Nam Institute for Water Resources Research..............................255
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

Appendix E
Appendix E.1
Appendix E.2
Appendix F

Organizational Charts .............................................................................266
Organization Charts of MARD ................................................................266
Organization Charts of DARD.................................................................273
Interview Minutes and Transcripts Annex ...............................................277

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

List of Tables
Table 1 Global Public Agricultural Research Expenditures, 1976-95.................................69
Table 2 Estimated Global Public and Private Agricultural R&D Investments, circa 1995...69
Table 3 MARD Research Institutes in Viet Nam ................................................................70
Table 4 MARD Research Institutes in Viet Nam (Cont.) ....................................................71
Table 5 MARD Research Institutes in Viet Nam (Cont.) ....................................................72
Table 6 Other Agricultural Research Institutes in Viet Nam ...............................................72
Table 7 MARD Research Institutes by Sub-Sector ............................................................73
Table 8 MARD Research Organizations ............................................................................74
Table 9 Public Spending on Agricultural Research in Selected SE Asian Countries, 199974
Table 10 Sources of Research Funding for Selected Institutes, 1996-1998 ......................74
Table 11 MARD Expenditure on Agricultural Extension.....................................................74
Table 12 Research Funding in Viet Nam by Sub-Sector....................................................75
Table 13 Research Funding in Viet Nam by Selected Agricultural Indices ........................76
Table 14 Government Budget for Agricultural Science and Technology - MARD Institutes
...................................................................................................................................76
Table 15 Personnel and Budget Data for MARD Agricultural Research System, December
2000............................................................................................................................77

Table 16 MARD Agricultural Science and Technology Budget, by Program, 2000 - 2003 78
Table 17 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research Institutes, Year 2000 ......................79
Table 18 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research Institutes, Year 2001 ......................80
Table 19 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research Institutes, Year 2002 ......................81
Table 20 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research Institutes, Year 2003 ......................82
Table 21 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research Institutions, 2000-2003...................83
Table 22 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research, Top 15 Non-Institute Organizations,
2000-2003 ..................................................................................................................84
Table 23 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research, Top 15 Non-Institute Organizations,
2000-2003 (Cont.).......................................................................................................85
Table 24 Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research, Top 15 Non-Institute Organizations,
2000-2003 (Cont.).......................................................................................................86
Table 25 Staffing Levels for Selected MARD Research Organizations, 2003....................87
Table 26 Percentage of Degree Holders Engaged in Research by Sub-Sector, 1999.......88
Table 27 Age Distribution of MARD Agricultural Researchers, 2000 .................................88
Table 28 Types of Staff at NIAH, By Academic Level (1999).............................................88
Table 29 Age Distribution of Permanent Staff, NIAH (1999) ..............................................88
Table 30 Types of Staff at NIAH, 2002 ..............................................................................89
Table 31 MARD Ministerial Programs Research Program Areas, 2002-2005 ...................89
Table 32 CARD 2000 - Successful Proposals .................................................................206
Table 33 Card 2000/01 - Successful Proposals...............................................................207
Table 34 Sister Relationships between Can Tho University and Foreign Institutions ......211
Table 35 Can Tho University International Cooperation Projects ....................................212
Table 36 Details of Research Programs for FSIV, 2002 ..................................................215
Table 37 Details of Conferences and Workshops Organized by FSIV, 2002...................217
Table 38 FSIV Staff Training in 2002 ...............................................................................217
Table 39 International Cooperation Projects with FSIV, 2002..........................................218
Table 40 Training Courses for NIAH Staff, 2002..............................................................231
Table 41 Conferences and Workshops held by NIAH, 2002............................................231
Table 42 List of Articles Published by NIAH in 2002........................................................240

Table 43 List of Articles Published by NIAH in 2001........................................................241
Table 44 Number of Research Programs under VASI .....................................................250
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

Table 45 Conferences held by VASI, 2002 ......................................................................250
Table 46 International Cooperation by VASI, 2002..........................................................251
Table 47 Training of VASI Staff, 2002 .............................................................................252
Table 48 Publications of VASI, 2002 ...............................................................................252
Table 49 2002 National Level Research Programs for Viet Nam Institute for Water
Resources Research ................................................................................................259
Table 50 2002 National Level Research Programs for Viet Nam Institute for Water
Resources Research, Cont.......................................................................................260
Table 51 2002 Ministerial Level Research Programs for Viet Nam Institute for Water
Resources Research ................................................................................................261
Table 52 2002 Ministerial Level Research Programs for Viet Nam Institute for Water
Resources Research, Cont.......................................................................................262
Table 53 2002 International (Protocol) Research Programs for Viet Nam Institute for Water
Resources Research ................................................................................................263
Table 54 Conferences Organized by Viet Nam Institute of Water Resources Research in
2002..........................................................................................................................263
Table 55 International Cooperation Projects with Viet Nam Institute for Water Resouces
Research, 2002 ........................................................................................................264
Table 56 Viet Nam Institute of Water Resources Research Staff Training Courses in 2002
.................................................................................................................................265

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

List of Figures
Figure 1 Implementation Steps for a Roadmap for Agricultural Science and Technology .65
Figure 2 Process for the Development of the Agricultural Science and Technology Report
...................................................................................................................................90
Figure 3 Distribution of MARD Research Institutes (Headquarters) in Viet Nam ...............91
Figure 4 Distribution of MARD Research Institutions (Headquarters and Centers) in Viet
Nam ............................................................................................................................92
Figure 5 Flow of Funds to Research Institutes from Central Level ....................................93
Figure 6 Sources of Funding for Agricultural Research Institutes ......................................94
Figure 7 Organization of the Forest Science Institute of Viet Nam (FSIV) .......................219
Figure 8 Faculty and Staffing Structure for Hanoi Agricultural University ........................220
Figure 9 Organization Chart for National Institute of Agricultural Planning and Projection
.................................................................................................................................228
Figure 10 Organizational Structure of National Institute of Animal Husbandry ................229
Figure 11 Organizational Structure of Viet Nam Institute for Water Resources Research
.................................................................................................................................258
Figure 12 Organization Chart of MARD, Year 2000.........................................................266
Figure 13 Organization Chart of MARD, Year 2000, Cont. ..............................................267
Figure 14 Organization Chart of MARD, Year 2000, Cont. ..............................................268
Figure 15 Organization Chart of MARD, Year 2000, Cont. ..............................................269
Figure 16 Organization Chart of MARD, Year 2000, Cont. ..............................................270
Figure 17 Organization Chart of MARD, Year 2000, Cont. ..............................................271
Figure 18 Organization Chart of MARD, Year 2000, Cont. ..............................................272

Figure 19 Organization Chart of DARD – Vinh Phuc .......................................................273
Figure 20 Organization Chart of DARD – Son La ............................................................274
Figure 21 Organization Chart of DARD – Dak Lak ..........................................................275
Figure 22 Organization Chart of DARD – Thanh Hoa ......................................................276

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

List of Boxes
Box 1 Functions and Responsibilities of the Department of Science, Technology and
Product Quality ...........................................................................................................95
Box 2 Strategies for Agricultural Research and Extension in Viet Nam .............................96

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACIAR
ADB
ASPS
AusAID
CIAT

CSIRO
DANIDA
DASTM
FAO
GOV
HTYVN
IAH
IFPRI
IRRI
JICA
MARD
MOET
MOF
MOLISA
MOST
NISTPASS
SOE
VBARD
VLA
VLSS
WB

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Asian Development Bank
Agriculture Sector Programme of Support (of DANIDA)
Australian Agency for International Development
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (Australia)
Danish International Development Agency
Department of Agricultural Science and Technology Management (of MOST)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Government of Viet Nam
Animal Health Association of Viet Nam
Institute of Animal Health
International Food Policy Research Institute
International Rice Research Institute
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ministry of Education and Training
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs
Ministry of Science and Technology
National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategic Studies
State Owned Enterprise
Viet Nam Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development
Viet Nam Livestock Association
Viet Nam Living Standards Survey
World Bank

Acronyms of Departments Under MARD
DAD
District Agricultural Division
DAFE
Department of Agricultural and Forestry Extension
DAH
Department of Animal Health
DARD
(Provincial) Department of Agricultural and Rural Development
DARDP
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Policy

DFA
Department of Finance and Administration
DPP
Department of Planning and Projection
DSTPQ
Department of Science, Technology and Product Quality
OPD
Organization and Personnel Department

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

Acronyms of Research Institutes Under MARD
AGI
Agricultural Genetics Institute
BRDC
Bee Research and Development Centre
CAMT
Centre for Agricultural Machinery Testing
CLDRRI
Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute
CRC
Ba Vi Coffee Research Centre
CSCR
Central Sericulture Research Centre
FCRI

Food Crops Research Institute
FIPI
Forest Inventory and Planning Institute
FSIV
Forest Science Institute of Viet Nam
IAE
Institute of Agricultural Economics
IAS
Institute of Agricultural Science of Southern Viet Nam
ICARD
Information Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development
ISCR
Institute for Sugarcane Research
IWRP
Institute for Water Resources Planning
NCIDB
National Centre for Inspection of Drugs and Bio-Products
NCVESC
National Centre for Variety Evaluation and Seed Certification
NIAH
National Institute of Animal Husbandry
NIAPP
National Institute for Agricultural Planning and Projection
NIPP
National Institute for Plant Protection
NISF
National Institute for Soils and Fertilizers
NIVR
National Institute for Veterinary Research
NMRI

National Maize Research Institute
PHTI
Post-Harvest Technology Institute
RIFAV
Research Institute for Fruits and Vegetables
RRIV
Rubber Research Institute of Viet Nam
SFRI
Southern Fruit Research Institute
SIWRR
Southern Institute for Water Resources Research
TRIV
Tea Research Institute of Viet Nam
VASI
Viet Nam Agricultural Science Institute
VIAE
Viet Nam Institute for Agricultural Engineering
VIWRR
Viet Nam Institute for Water Resources Research
WASI
Western Highlands Agro-Forestry Scientific and Technical Institute

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

Executive Summary

Viet Nam will have to make more effective use of science and technology in the future in
order to promote agricultural diversification from food crops to high value crops, livestock,
and fisheries, and quality improvements comparable with neighboring countries and trade
competitors.
The Government intends to increase investments in agricultural science and technology,
focusing on the application of new technology for higher economic efficiency. The
Government is keen to increase the role of private research and extension and universities
for a longer-term strategy in agricultural science and technology. It is important to realize
at the outset that a long term vision for agricultural research and extension involves longer
term periods than the current 5-year or 10-year plans of the government of Viet Nam.
The needed adjustments in the research, extension, and market information systems are
large and are expected to require a decade to reach a point where a major increase in the
output of new technology can be expected. The job will require restructuring the entire
system and training a large staff, and will require a blueprint prepared at the outset by
MARD staff, drawing on experienced international and domestic consultants. This process
will be undertaken in a proposed forthcoming Technical Assistance Project slated to
commence in 2003.
The current study is an analysis of the current situation, needs, and potential medium- and
long-term strategies to develop agricultural research and extension in Viet Nam. The study
aims at providing a long-term road map for agriculture research and extension assistance
and it will be used as a basis for the development of the forthcoming technical assistance,
which will in turn be used as a basis for the proposed investment loan in Agricultural
Science and Technology.
A road map for agricultural science and technology implies a sense of direction. The road
map should facilitate the identification of policies, investments, and institutions required to
move the agricultural research and extension system from the current state to a desired
state in the future. The identification of strategies and plans also depends on the
conceptualization of such desired state in the future.
Specifically, the study collected relevant secondary information and data on the current
organization and medium- and long-term plans for agricultural research and extension.

The study undertook a consultative process with stakeholders to outline a vision for the
future direction of agricultural research and extension, identify constraints to future
development of agricultural research and extension and develop a preliminary set of
strategies and roadmap for development of the research and extension system.
A Vision for Agricultural Research and Extension Systems
In consultation with stakeholders, a vision for agricultural research and extension systems
in the long term (greater than 20 years) was formulated. The vision for agricultural
research contains several elements:
•
•

Research targeted towards needs of smallholder households as well as commercial
farms
Increased involvement of private sector in research
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Private and Public Research will cater for different clients

Increased emphasis on research for agroindustrial enterprises
Research catering for diversification and intensification of agriculture
Research should cater for a modern, highly competitive agriculture. Focus should be
on quality
Research should concentrate on development of an internationally linked agriculture
sector
Research should develop standards for increased commercialization
Research topics should be tailored to different needs

Similarly, the vision for agricultural extension contains several elements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Public extension services focused on disadvantaged households
Extension services should become a comprehensive advisory service
Increased use of farmer associations and voluntary extension services
Facilitate access to credit
Provide a basket of opportunities and methodologies
Provision of unbiased advice
Development of an adaptive, learning and accountable extension service
Development of a private sector (user-pays) extension service
Strengthen extension service linkages with research system and private sector

Issues in the Agricultural Science and Technology System
Capacity of Researchers and Extensionists
The capacity of researchers and extension workers can have a significant impact on the
efficiency and effectiveness of the work that they undertake.
A number of factors influence the level of capacity within the agricultural research and
extension systems in Viet Nam. These include the limited resources of the education
system, limited opportunities for ongoing study and access to latest research results,
limited opportunities for undertaking studies abroad and the employment structure of
research institutions.
In the extension system, many extension workers at the district level have a strong
technical capacity in their field of specialization. However, the extension worker often has
to provide advice and assistance in areas outside their field of specialization. In addition,
the training that many extension workers receive in vocational school or University does
not generally include training on methods of extension.
Equipment and Facilities
Without adequate facilities and equipment it is difficult for researchers, no matter their
capacity, to effectively undertake research. However, the amount and quality of facilities
and equipment is highly variable between different institutions.
In common with the variable distribution of facilities, the amount of equipment and the
standard of equipment utilized by institutions are also highly variable. Often, the provision
of equipment to institutions is linked with their involvement with multilateral or bilateral

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

projects, with the project including a component providing equipment to the partner

institution.
However, the relatively short-term and non-coordinated nature of much bilateral assistance
means that in many cases, equipment provision has been linked to specific project
objectives, rather than to an institutional plan for development of equipment availability.
Institutional Mechanisms
The problems with institutional mechanisms have a number of significant impacts on the
current operation of the system, including
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

A dispersed and fragmented research system;
Poor integration of research programs and a lack of connectivity with the rest of the
world;
Duplication of research efforts and a lack of research project priorities;
Weak responsiveness to markets requirements and opportunities;
Top-down approach to research and weak mechanisms for innovation;
Limited responsiveness to the needs of farmers;
Excessive focus on production issues rather than system or value chain issues; and
Lack of effective networks and access to information about research results.

Constraints in the Agricultural Science and Technology System
Monitoring and Evaluation
While the capacity for monitoring and evaluation is high, there are not clear incentives for
evaluation to be undertaken objectively. Many of the members of the committee

undertaking evaluation belong to research institutes and are themselves involved in
research activities. Peer reviewers are under social pressures to evaluate the results of
their peers favorably, as they may well have their results reviewed by the same peers.
The criteria and standards for evaluating research effectiveness are not clear, and are
often are developed in an ad-hoc manner. In the absence of clearly established criteria,
evaluation of performance and monitoring becomes confused and cannot be effective.
In terms of extension results, monitoring and evaluation is still focused on inputs (such as
material supplies and number of training courses), rather than quality of service.
Equipment and Facilities
The amount of equipment and the standard of equipment utilized by institutions and
extension services is highly variable and is often linked with their involvement with
multilateral or bilateral projects.
However, in many cases, equipment provision has been linked to specific project
objectives, rather than to an institutional plan or research system-wide plan for
development of equipment availability.
Extension services are chronically under funded in terms of equipment, lacking
transportation, fuel, training materials and resources to do their jobs effectively.

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

Organization
Often the terms of reference of the research institutes and centers are not clearly defined.
This ambiguity of functions can lead to duplication of research efforts, with several
research organizations undertaking research activities that have similar or identical
programs and aims.

The restructuring of the organization of the research system is constrained by the fact that
there is institutional resistance within research organizations to a perceived loss of power
and status that may accompany the merging process.
The structure of most research organizations is overly bureaucratic, with the structure
within an institute replicating the structure of MARD.
Methodology
Research planning is currently a top-down process. This priority-setting process has little
or no involvement of the clients of research and may result in research activities being
undertaken that have little or no practical value for the agriculture sector as a whole.
Incentives
The low levels of salary and the lack of opportunities for performance-based pay
incentives means that staff in research institutes and extension services do not have
strong incentives to perform their research and extension tasks to full capacity.
Capacity
Many research and extension students are unable to benefit from learning about the latest
technical and methodological techniques in their field.
There are limited opportunities for researchers to develop links with overseas researchers,
or to undertake study overseas.
While researchers are taught technical skills, they often have weak capacity for
conducting, planning and managing research activities.
Provincial extension service providers are tasked with creating their own extension
materials, but often lack the capacity and resources to do this properly. Further, while
extension personnel are very often subject matter specialists, they often do not have
formal training in extension methodologies.
A Strategy for Agricultural Science and Technology
Incentives, Monitoring and Evaluation
•
•
•
•

Implementation of an appropriate incentive structure to reward good research
Transparent evaluation and monitoring of research
Establishment of a monitoring and evaluation secretariat
Establishment of monitoring and evaluation protocols for research

Equipment and Facilities
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

•
•

Needs assessment for equipment and facilities
Inventory of existing equipment and facilities

Capacity
•

Needs assessment of staff capacity

Organization
•
•
•

Mechanisms to improve coordination
Strengthen procedures for developing priorities and research projects
Incentives to increase collaboration between researchers and institutions

Private Sector Involvement
•
•
•

Strengthen Intellectual Property Rights
Encourage private sector research through tax incentives
Private sector access to government funds through the competitive bidding process

A Roadmap for Agricultural Science and Technology
Step 1. Consultative process with policymakers and stakeholders to identify a preliminary
set of desired outcomes for the change process in agricultural research and extension
Undertake consultative process with policymakers and stakeholders to identify a
preliminary set of desired outcomes for the change process in agricultural research and
extension. These desired outcomes should be compared with the current situation in the
agricultural research and extension system.
Step 2. Consultative process with policymakers and stakeholders to arrive at a preliminary
identification of perceived constraints to change in the system
Undertake consultative process with policymakers and stakeholders to arrive at a
preliminary identification of perceived constraints to change in the system. These
constraints should be categorized in terms of capacity, facilities/equipment and institutional
mechanisms.
Step 3. Detailed inventory of human resource capacity within the research and extension
system
Undertake detailed inventory of human resource capacity within the research and
extension system. This inventory should be comprehensive, and include all research

institutes and other organizations involved in agricultural research and extension. The
analysis of human resource capacity should be based on a systemic approach, whereby
the research and extension institutions are viewed as components of a complete system.
Step 4. Detailed inventory of facilities and equipment within the research and extension
system
Undertake detailed inventory of facilities and equipment within the research and extension
system. This inventory should be comprehensive, and include all research institutes and
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other organizations involved in agricultural research and extension. The analysis of
facilities and equipment should be based on a systemic approach, whereby the research
and extension institutions are viewed as components of a complete system.
Step 5. Detailed analysis of the institutional mechanisms of agricultural research and
extension systems
Undertake a detailed analysis of the institutional mechanisms of agricultural research and
extension systems. This analysis should concentrate on identifying positive and negative
outcomes of the institutional processes and identifying potential bottlenecks to improved
efficiency of the system.
Step 6. Detailed analysis of alternative policy options
Undertake a detailed analysis of possible alternative policy options for developing the
agricultural research and extension systems. These policies could include such elements
as strengthening of intellectual property rights, taxation incentives and other methods of
encouraging private sector involvement in the system. As part of this process, alternative
options for individual and institutional incentive schemes should be canvassed, within the
framework of developing an effective monitoring and evaluation system.

Step 7. Consultative development of formal set of goals for the agricultural research and
extension system
Based on the detailed analyses of the current situation of the system, a formal set of goals
for development of the agricultural research and extension system should be developed in
a consultative manner. These goals should be based on the development of an integrated
system, rather than statements of desired number of projects or expenditure targets.
Step 8. Evaluation of the expected levels of investment in the system
The expected levels of investment in the system (including funds from government
expenditure, bilateral projects and multilateral lending) should be evaluated, to provide a
basis for informed decision making about the scope for investments in the system. This
would include private sector investment expected to become available if adequate
incentives and policies are set in place to encourage that investment.
Step 9. Development of an investment framework and timetable
The information about the current status of human resource capacity, equipment and
facilities and institutional mechanisms, combined with the formalized vision for the system
and the information about the funds available for investment can be used as a basis to
develop an investment framework and timetable. Rather than necessarily concentrating on
a particular form of investment or investment in a particular institution, the framework
should consist of a series of investment “packages” aimed at achieving a set systemic
objective within a particular timeframe.
The investment package could consist of investment in training (to increase human
capacity), investment in facilities and equipment and investments designed to facilitate
improvements to institutional mechanisms (such as investments to develop committee
secretariats and the development of appropriate monitoring and evaluation protocols). The

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objectives should be specified to give a logical progression towards achieving the ultimate
vision of the research and extension system.
At this stage an effective system of monitoring and evaluation of research and extension
should be developed. This will facilitate the process of development of research and
extension and will allow the progress of development to be tracked.
Step 10. Adaptation of strategies and goals based on achieved results
At the conclusion of each of the series of investment “packages” the format of the longterm vision and the subsequent investment packages should be re-evaluated in light of the
actual performance of the investment package and any changes in conditions and
available investment funding.

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1 Introduction
Viet Nam’s agriculture has grown rapidly in recent decades to move the country from food
deficit to food surpluses. Underlying this agricultural growth were market-oriented policies,
large public investments in irrigation, rural infrastructure, rural credit, and smallholder
development programs. To a lesser extent, agricultural research and extension
investments (including input subsidies and demonstration models) have played a role in
increasing the productivity of agriculture.
Despite national food surpluses, widespread poverty and hunger remain; particularly in
remote and mountainous regions. This is because the growth of agriculture and the
national economy have not adequately benefited the poor and disadvantaged.
Viet Nam is undertaking policy reforms to liberalize the economy. This should improve the

terms of trade for agriculture and promote greater private investment. However, policy
reform alone will not be enough to increase agricultural growth and to make it more
equitable.
Policy reforms must be accompanied by appropriate investments in public goods, such as
agricultural research and extension, in order to maximize the potential for growth and
poverty alleviation. However, the current period of policy reform is accompanied by
budgetary constraints that motivate careful rationing of public investment funds, making it
increasingly important to assess the economic rates of return to agricultural research and
other public investments.
There is a perception that there are diminishing marginal returns to agricultural research
because the “easiest” gains from the Green Revolution have already been reaped through
the rapid spread of high yielding varieties (HYV), leading to high levels of HYV adoption
and high input use in many regions of Viet Nam (Rosegrant and Pingali, 1994; Evenson,
Pray et al., 1999).
However, this perception ignores the vast literature on the contribution of agricultural
research to total factor productivity, and the continuing returns to agricultural research in
the post-Green Revolution era. The critical importance of effective agricultural research to
the development of the agricultural sector has been shown by numerous international
studies2.
Internationally, public investments in agriculture are declining, and increasing shares of
total public expenditures on agriculture have been allocated to budgetary support to the
agricultural sector, input subsidies, and transfers, rather than to productivity-enhancing
investments. This has been particularly so in the case of Viet Nam until recently3. The
2

See (Busch and Bingen, ; Hobbs, Bentancour et al., ; ISNAR, ; Evenson, 1968; Evenson and Jha, 1973;
Kahlon, Bal et al., 1977; Nagy, 1985; Khan and Akbari, 1986; Pardey and Craig, 1989; Rubeiro, 1989;
Evenson and McKinsey, 1991; Evenson and Pray, 1991; Pardey, Roseboom et al., 1991; Pray, Riberio et al.,
1991; Morris, Dubin et al., 1992; Rosegrant and Evenson, 1992; Byerlee, 1993; Byerlee and Moya, 1993;
Rosegrant and Pingali, 1994; Kumar, Rosegrant et al., 1995; Kumar and Rosegrant, 1997; Evenson, Pray et

al., 1999; Fan, Hazell et al., 1999; Beintema and Pardey, 2001; Pardey and Beintema, 2001; Janssen, 2002;
Perry, Randolph et al., 2002) as examples.
3
World Bank (2000b, Annex D pg 62) notes that agricultural subsidies and transfers in Viet Nam in 1998
amounted to 195 billion dong, which is 2.25 times the amount allocated to agricultural research institutes in
that year (see Table 14). Of the amount going to subsidies and transfers, 65 billion dong went to
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

balance between input subsidies and long-term investments will be a crucial policy
question as Viet Nam proceeds with economic and agricultural reform.
Given the ongoing reform process, the concern over sources of future agricultural
productivity growth, and the continuing debate over subsidies and transfers versus
investments in agriculture, it is important to highlight the contribution of agricultural
research to agricultural productivity growth. Because of the long lags between agricultural
research investments and the resulting increases in production, Viet Nam’s ability to meet
the agricultural challenges of the next two decades will depend critically on the
investments that are made today (Pardey and Craig, 1989; Pardey and Beintema, 2001).
In addition to the need to invest in agricultural research in order to increase agricultural
productivity, Viet Nam will have to make a more effective use of science and technology in
the future in order to promote agricultural diversification from food crops to high value
crops, livestock, and fisheries, and quality improvements comparable with neighboring
countries and trade competitors.
Policy reforms under the recently approved Agriculture Sector Policy Loan from ADB
(Asian Development Bank, 2002b) will address constraints in agricultural research,
extension, and market information and analysis. Reforms in these institutions will facilitate

investments in human resources and infrastructure that will enable them to contribute
more significantly to agricultural growth.
The Government intends to increase investments in agricultural science and technology,
focusing on the application of new technology for higher economic efficiency. The
Government is keen to increase the role of private research and extension and universities
for a longer-term strategy in agricultural science and technology.
The needed adjustments in the research, extension, and market information systems are
large and are expected to require a decade to reach a point where a major increase in the
output of new technology can be expected. The job will require restructuring the entire
system and training a large staff, and will require a blueprint prepared at the outset by
MARD staff, drawing on experienced international and domestic consultants. This process
will be undertaken in a proposed forthcoming Technical Assistance Project slated to
commence in 2003.
The goals of the proposed Technical Assistance Project and the ensuing investment loan
are to:
1. Intensify and diversify agricultural production,
2. Increase farm incomes, and
3. Reduce rural poverty.

resettlement programs, 31 billion dong to crops, 23 billion dong to livestock, and 21 billion dong to irrigation.
This represented 17.7 percent of total current expenditures and 4.2 percent of total public expenditures in
agriculture in 1998. According to World Bank (2000b, Annex D pg 61), current expenditure in 1998 consisted
of expenditures on goods and services (64 percent), salaries and wages (15 percent), subsidies and
transfers (18 percent) and other uses (3 percent). A large proportion of the expenditure on goods and
services could be considered as budgetary support to the agricultural sector, even though not officially
considered as such.
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

The immediate objectives are to assist the Government in
1. Conducting a detailed needs assessment of agricultural research, extension, market
information, and associated planning institutions; and
2. Preparing an investment project, which will support the policy and institutional reforms
being implemented under the Policy Loan.
The current study is a 2-month analysis of the current situation, needs, and potential
medium- and long-term strategies to develop agricultural research and extension in Viet
Nam. The study aims at providing a long-term road map for agriculture research and
extension assistance and it will be used as a basis for the development of the forthcoming
technical assistance, which will in turn be used as a basis for the proposed investment
loan in Agricultural Science and Technology.
Specifically the study aims to collect relevant secondary information and data on the
current organization and medium- and long-term plans for agricultural research and
extension, undertake a consultative process with stakeholders to outline a vision for the
future direction of agricultural research and extension, identify constraints to future
development of agricultural research and extension and develop a preliminary set of
strategies and roadmap for development of the research and extension system. The study
also aims to build consensus among policy makers and stakeholders as related to the
direction of development of agriculture science and technology.
The outline of the report is as follows;
Section 2 provides a background to the report and outlines the methodology undertaken.
Section 3 presents some long term prospects for the agricultural sector in Viet Nam and
the implications for agricultural research and extension (Section 3.1); the section also
provides elements of a vision for agricultural research and extension system over the
longer term (Section 3.2).
Section 4 outlines the current situation in agricultural research and extension in Viet Nam.
This covers the structure of the research system (Section 4.1), current national programs

and projects in agricultural research (Section 4.2), funding and financing mechanisms
(Section 4.3), plans polices and legislation (Section 4.4), staffing levels and capacity in
agricultural research (Section 4.5), recent developments (Section 4.6) and issues in
agricultural research and extension (Section 4.7).
Section 5 outlines the constraints in monitoring and evaluation systems, equipment,
organization and structure, incentives, and capacity.
Section 6 provides several strategies to overcome the constraints, and finally Section 7
provides a roadmap.
The appendices to the report contain the background documents for the focus group
discussions (Appendix A), details of the ADB Agricultural Science and Technology Policy
Loan Tranches (Appendix B), selected legislation (Appendix C), details of selected
research institutes (Appendix D), Organizational charts of MARD (Appendix E) and
minutes of interviews conducted with key informants and focus groups (Appendix F).

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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

2 Background and Methodology
The development of the agricultural science and technology strategy and roadmap
document was carried out over a two month period and followed a six stage process (see
Figure 2):
1. Collection of relevant background documents, legislation and up-to-date data
2. Individual Consultative Meetings with Key Research and Extension Experts
3. Preparation of background documents on agricultural research and extension
4. Participatory Meetings with Key Experts in Research and Extension
5. Preparation of the Draft Report Document

6. Preparation of Final Report Document
These steps are now described in detail.
Collection of Relevant Background Information
In the first stage of the study, key documents relating to the theme areas were collected
and consulted. Relevant legislation, policy documents and background data were also
collected. The appendices to this report contain summarized relevant data and also
contain originals and translations of key policy documents and legislation.
Individual Consultative Meetings with Key Research and Extension Experts
A total of 35 individual meetings were held with selected key research and extension
experts (both national and foreign) in order to discuss their views on the current status of
research and extension, visions for future development, constraints and possible
strategies to achieve goals. Details of the outcomes of the individual consultative meetings
are presented in the annex to this report (see Appendix F).
The involvement of policy makers and experts in the policy formulation process is a critical
component of the policy development process. By involving key stakeholders in the
development process, the final output of the study can be seen to be derived from a
participatory process involving an open dialogue and consensus.
The selection of key policy makers and experts was carried out by Agrifood Consulting
International and the Department of Science, Technology and Product Quality of MARD
(DSTPQ), the counterparts for the study. Policy makers and experts were selected on the
basis of their roles as key government officials or international experts from internationally
funded programs in Viet Nam.
Preparation of background documents on agricultural research and extension
Based on the research undertaken as part of ADB TA3223 (ANZDEC, 2000c, 2000b,
2000a), the background information collected, and the individual consultative meetings,
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ADB RSC C31072-VIE / Strategy and Road Map for Agricultural Science and Technology in Viet Nam

the study team developed two background documents (one covering agricultural research
and one covering extension) to form the basis of discussion in participatory meetings. The
background documents contained discussion points on the following:
1. Future Vision
2. Current Status
3. Constraints to achieving vision
4. Possible strategies to overcome constraints
Participatory Meetings with Agricultural Research and Extension Experts
Three participatory meetings were held with key experts. The first of these meetings, on
the topic of extension was held at the representative office of Agrifood Consulting
International. The subsequent two meetings on agricultural research (one with MARD
policymakers and one with representatives of Research Institutes), were held in a meeting
room at DSTPQ. The lists of experts who attended these meetings are presented in
Appendix F.
The agenda for the participatory meetings followed a standard process:
1. Introduction and Outline of Process
2. Future Vision
3. Current Status
4. Constraints to achieving vision
5. Possible strategies to overcome constraints
Each step in this process was nominally scheduled to last half an hour, with the entire
process lasting three hours. The visions, views of current status, main issues, constraints
and recommended policies developed by this participatory process are included in this
report.
Preparation of the Draft Report
On the basis of the background information collected, individual consultative interviews
and participatory meetings, a draft report outlining visions for the future development of
research and extension, current status of the systems, constraints to future development

and possible strategies for achieving the vision was prepared. A summary document was
also created, and translated into Vietnamese. The draft report, along with the translated
summary document, was sent to all the experts involved in the consultative process for
their comments and suggestions.
Preparation of the Final Report
On the basis of comments received by the key experts involved in the consultative
process, the final report was prepared.
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3 A Long Term Vision for Agricultural Research and Extension
A road map for agricultural science and technology implies a sense of direction. The road
map should facilitate the identification of policies, investments, and institutions required to
move the agricultural research and extension system from the current state to a desired
state in the future. The identification of strategies and plans also depends on the
conceptualization of such desired state in the future. This section of the paper presents
some elements of the vision for agricultural science and technology in Viet Nam. Once this
vision is formulated then the analysis will move further to characterize the current situation,
discuss the constraints along the way from the current situation to the vision, and finally
identify strategies to overcome the constraints.
It is important to realize since the outset that a long term vision for agricultural research
and extension involves longer term periods than the current 5-year or 10-year plans of the
government of Viet Nam. This is so for different reasons.
First, the capacity building needed to implement the vision requires the training of skilled
researchers. Typically, such training implies not only the acquiring of academic credentials
(for example a Ph.D. taking 5 years study after bachelor degree), but also acquiring the

capacity for identifying research issues and managing research projects independently, a
process that will also take 5 years. Another 10 years are often needed to see the fruits of
this capacity.
Second, numerous studies in several countries highlight the gestation lags between
research efforts and results that are transferred into useful technologies4. This has been
the case often for basic research, but it is the case also for applied research including
plant and animal breeding, biotechnology, and special fields such as forest research.
Third, structural transformations of agriculture in Viet Nam are posing new challenges for
agricultural research and extension. The continuing market orientation of the economy, the
increasing integration with international markets, and the industrialization of agriculture
imply that the agricultural research and extension system will have to redefine its role and
functions in the future, and be able to accommodate the emergence of different providers
(both public and private) of research and extension system. Again, this transformation will
not come overnight and will require strategies that facilitate the transformation.
The realization that the development of agricultural science and technology in Viet Nam is
a long-term process does not imply that no tangible results should be expected in the
medium term. In fact, even in the past, agricultural science and technology in Viet Nam
have contributed to growth, but other factors such as increase in inputs (labor, land,
irrigated land, chemicals, seeds) and policy changes associated with doi moi have been
the major engine of growth (Nguyen Ngoc Que and Goletti, 2001). However, in the future,
it is expected that science and technology will be the main contribution to growth. For this
to be case, the contribution of science and technology is expected to increase even in the
medium term if appropriate mechanisms are set in place consistently with a long term
4

See (Evenson, 1968; Evenson and Jha, 1973; Kahlon, Bal et al., 1977; Nagy, 1985; Khan and Akbari,
1986; Pardey and Craig, 1989; Evenson and McKinsey, 1991; Evenson and Pray, 1991; Pardey, Roseboom
et al., 1991; Morris, Dubin et al., 1992; Byerlee, 1993; Byerlee and Moya, 1993; Kumar, Rosegrant et al.,
1995; Kumar and Rosegrant, 1997; Evenson, Pray et al., 1999; Fan, Hazell et al., 1999; Pardey and
Beintema, 2001).

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vision. Even though benefits will start to appear in the medium term, the full benefits of
new investments, policies, and institutions will be borne only over the longer period.

3.1 Long Term Prospects for the Agricultural Sector in Viet Nam and
the Implications for Agricultural Research and Extension
The form of a vision for agricultural science and technology (research and extension) in
Viet Nam will depend on the long-term prospects for agriculture in Viet Nam5. The longterm prospects for agriculture in Viet Nam will likely contain several elements and features
including the following:
Labor force in Agriculture will still be large (perhaps more than 50%) but the share
of Agriculture in GDP will be much smaller than today (perhaps decline to 10%).
While the exact proportions of labor force participation in agriculture and the share of
agricultural GDP in the future are under debate, especially given current government
policies to reduce these proportions down, it is likely that agriculture in Viet Nam will be still
characterized by a large agricultural labor force and a declining share of agricultural GDP6.
Importantly, the composition of agricultural GDP will change; with a higher level of income
derived from non-traditional agricultural production activities and agro-industrial
enterprises.
Given the large share of labor in agriculture, agricultural technology development should
take into account labor intensive practices and avoid shifting to fully capital intensive
practices. Given a large population in rural areas, the pressure on natural resources will be
larger. The extent of pressure on natural resources will depend to a large extent on the
environmental policies that are put in place now and the changing attitudes of people
towards the environment and sustainable land use activities. Consequently, the

importance of research on sustainable use of resources will be more significant than is
currently the case, especially in the context of problems faced by people in remote and
mountainous areas and the particular problems faced by disadvantaged groups.
Farms will still be predominantly small (less than 1 ha). Many will still rely on
traditional practices and indigenous knowledge. Even though considerably less
than today, poverty in rural areas will still be a problem and affect the lives of a
large number of households.
While trends in farm size are difficult to predict; increasing population in rural areas will be
countered by increasing opportunities for off-farm work and migration to urban areas,
farms will still be small, and will need to support a larger population. Small farm sizes will
imply that research and extension has to facilitate diversification and intensification
towards higher value-added and high-value products and agro-industrialization in rural
areas. Intensification of rice production to ensure food security will require a smaller part of
the total cultivated area. Higher productivity will come from a diversification into other
5

See (World Bank, 2001) for a similar vision for agricultural research and extension in Viet Nam.
To put these figures in regional perspective, it is worthwhile to look at Indonesia and Thailand, two rice
economies like Viet Nam that have matured to the status of lower-middle income group. These two
economies grew at a remarkable rate of nearly 7 percent per year over the two decades from 1970 to 1990,
but the share of the labor force engaged in agriculture fell only 11-16 percent during this period. This
suggests that Viet Nam will continue to be predominantly a rural economy for a long time and that any longterm growth strategy must take into account rural areas.
6

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