The council should address major issues including bio-technological applications, low competitiveness of local plant and livestock industry and high post-harvest losses, and find out what policies are necessary to address them, Dung said.

He asked the council members to meet regularly to discuss emerging problems and submit their insights and proposals to the government.

The 31-member council chaired by Prof. Do Trung Ta, advises the prime minister on policies and procedures relating to scientific and technological management, strategy, programs and action plans.

Dung recognized the council’s contributions to national achievements in science and technology in the recent past. In the past five years, 142 hybrid varieties have been put into production, helping boost exports of many commodities including rice, rubber, coffee and catfish, he noted.

Source: VNA