Transformation of the Seed Sector in Viet Nam
Transcript
Viet Nam has undergone a remarkable transformation in sustainable agricultural productivity in recent years.
One of the most important factors has been the contribution of new plant varieties. Thanks to the introduction of a plant variety protection (PVP) system the private sector now invests in R&D and supplies farmers with good quality seeds of a range of high performing varieties.
This provides farmers with better incomes and results in better food quality and choices for consumers.
My name is Trinh Thi Lieu, I'm a farmer in Hung Yen Province. I have more than 2,000 m² of land under rice cultivation.
Fifteen years ago I only planted 2 varieties of rice, but now I'm growing 6 to 7 varieties of rice.
I have many choices of varieties, but I choose varieties of Vinaseed because of 3 factors; first, they have high productivity; second, they are very resistant to pests and diseases; third, the rice is very delicious and fragrant.
They regularly send technical support staff to my field to check for any pest problems in good time. Therefore, we are able to handle any problems in a timely manner, leading to effective results. That helps to improve my rice yield.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trung, Director of R&D Center, Vinaseed
Our research is based on the needs of the market. From there we create new varieties to meet the needs of customers. We also provide farmers with a good choice of new varieties.
Viet Nam recognized that it needed to provide incentives to encourage investment in the development of new varieties of plants and decided to introduce a system of plant variety protection according to the UPOV Convention.
Viet Nam became a member of UPOV in 2006.
The UPOV system encourages plant breeding by granting breeders of new plant varieties an intellectual property right: the breeder's right.
This allows plant breeders to use licenses to control the quality of seed production of their varieties.
What changes have been seen in terms of the type of plant breeders?
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Minh, Vietnam Seed Trade Association (VSTA)
Before joining UPOV, there were no plant breeders in the private sector. Most breeders belonged to government research institutes and universities (Public Sector).
Since Viet Nam has joined UPOV, the type of breeders has become much more diverse. There are breeders who are individuals, private institutions, and even farmers and retired researchers from government research institutes.
Furthermore, investment in research and from the private sector increased dramatically.
In recent years, many private companies have invested in building research centers. Some of these research centers are larger than government research centers.
Since joining UPOV in 2006, investment in research and development in the Vinaseed has nearly doubled to 1.7 million USD by 2022 compared to the 10-year average since before 2006.
Since Viet Nam joined UPOV, we have become very confident to invest and develop new varieties because it protects the interests of the breeder and it avoids infringement by other parties of our new varieties.
Plant variety protection helps to the quality of seed compared to the situation before and it has changed the mindset of farmers.
In the past, they used to reuse the same plant variety from one season to another. But now, farmers are often keen to buy new protected varieties every season.
What impact has there been the use of new varieties by farmers since the introduction of PVP?
Protected varieties normally produce higher yields and are better quality. They are more resistant to pests and to adverse weather conditions.
This helps farmers to reduce the cost of farming, and, at the same time, they can sell their products at a higher price.
The UPOV system provides farmers with the following benefits: first, they have access to a good seed distribution system; second, the seed quality is reliable and assured; finally, they receive a technical consulting service that is very valuable for the farmers.
New varieties developed and protected under Viet Nam’s plant variety protection system have a higher yield and can be sold at a higher price because of their better grain quality.
According to Vinaseed, rice farmers typically have over 40% higher income when growing protected varieties, even though the cost of the seed is higher.
Farmers always have the option to grow unprotected varieties but Vinaseed’s experience is that most farmers prefer to grow protected varieties because of the improved income and profitability.
Thanks to an increase in income, our children now have a better education, the family's economy is more stable and I also have money to spend on other things.
I see many young people working in agriculture. Some work at seed companies, and most work as farmers.
Viet Nam has undergone a remarkable transformation in sustainable agricultural productivity in recent years.
One of the most important factors has been the contribution of new plant varieties. Thanks to the introduction of a plant variety protection (PVP) system the private sector now invests in R&D and supplies farmers with good quality seeds of a range of high performing varieties.
This provides farmers with better incomes and results in better food quality and choices for consumers.
My name is Trinh Thi Lieu, I'm a farmer in Hung Yen Province. I have more than 2,000 m² of land under rice cultivation.
Fifteen years ago I only planted 2 varieties of rice, but now I'm growing 6 to 7 varieties of rice.
I have many choices of varieties, but I choose varieties of Vinaseed because of 3 factors; first, they have high productivity; second, they are very resistant to pests and diseases; third, the rice is very delicious and fragrant.
They regularly send technical support staff to my field to check for any pest problems in good time. Therefore, we are able to handle any problems in a timely manner, leading to effective results. That helps to improve my rice yield.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trung, Director of R&D Center, Vinaseed
Our research is based on the needs of the market. From there we create new varieties to meet the needs of customers. We also provide farmers with a good choice of new varieties.
Viet Nam recognized that it needed to provide incentives to encourage investment in the development of new varieties of plants and decided to introduce a system of plant variety protection according to the UPOV Convention.
Viet Nam became a member of UPOV in 2006.
The UPOV system encourages plant breeding by granting breeders of new plant varieties an intellectual property right: the breeder's right.
This allows plant breeders to use licenses to control the quality of seed production of their varieties.
What changes have been seen in terms of the type of plant breeders?
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Minh, Vietnam Seed Trade Association (VSTA)
Before joining UPOV, there were no plant breeders in the private sector. Most breeders belonged to government research institutes and universities (Public Sector).
Since Viet Nam has joined UPOV, the type of breeders has become much more diverse. There are breeders who are individuals, private institutions, and even farmers and retired researchers from government research institutes.
Furthermore, investment in research and from the private sector increased dramatically.
In recent years, many private companies have invested in building research centers. Some of these research centers are larger than government research centers.
Since joining UPOV in 2006, investment in research and development in the Vinaseed has nearly doubled to 1.7 million USD by 2022 compared to the 10-year average since before 2006.
Since Viet Nam joined UPOV, we have become very confident to invest and develop new varieties because it protects the interests of the breeder and it avoids infringement by other parties of our new varieties.
Plant variety protection helps to the quality of seed compared to the situation before and it has changed the mindset of farmers.
In the past, they used to reuse the same plant variety from one season to another. But now, farmers are often keen to buy new protected varieties every season.
What impact has there been the use of new varieties by farmers since the introduction of PVP?
Protected varieties normally produce higher yields and are better quality. They are more resistant to pests and to adverse weather conditions.
This helps farmers to reduce the cost of farming, and, at the same time, they can sell their products at a higher price.
The UPOV system provides farmers with the following benefits: first, they have access to a good seed distribution system; second, the seed quality is reliable and assured; finally, they receive a technical consulting service that is very valuable for the farmers.
New varieties developed and protected under Viet Nam’s plant variety protection system have a higher yield and can be sold at a higher price because of their better grain quality.
According to Vinaseed, rice farmers typically have over 40% higher income when growing protected varieties, even though the cost of the seed is higher.
Farmers always have the option to grow unprotected varieties but Vinaseed’s experience is that most farmers prefer to grow protected varieties because of the improved income and profitability.
Thanks to an increase in income, our children now have a better education, the family's economy is more stable and I also have money to spend on other things.
I see many young people working in agriculture. Some work at seed companies, and most work as farmers.
August 18, 2023