Current Situation and Solutions for Applying Biotechnology to Serve Sustainable Development in Dak Lak Province
Biotechnology is opening up new opportunities for localities with strengths in agriculture, biological resources, and diverse ecosystems. For Dak Lak, leveraging its agricultural and forestry strengths alongside science and technology is essential. Biotechnology can create new value across the chain, from breeding and production to processing and by-product treatment.
From Potential to Practical Value
On the morning of September 17, 2026, in Tuy Hoa Ward, The Dak Lak Union of Science and Technology Associations, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology, organized a scientific workshop in the theme “Current Situation and Solutions for Applying Biotechnology to Sustainable Development in Dak Lak Province”.
Nearly 50 delegates representing provincial departments and agencies, scientists, research institutes, universities, businesses, and cooperatives attended the workshop.
The workshop focused on discussions on the current situation, potential, and solutions for promoting the application of biotechnology in agricultural production, agricultural product processing, by-product treatment, environmental protection, and the development of a green economy.
The issues raised at the workshop showed that biotechnology is no longer a matter solely for laboratories or research institutions; the ultimate value of technology must be demonstrated through specific products, more efficient production processes, better environmental protection, and higher incomes for local people and businesses.
Mr. Phan Xuan Linh, President of the Dak Lak Union of Science and Technology Associations, delivers the opening remarks and introductory presentation
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Production
One of the issues requiring attention is the gap between research outcomes and their ability to be applied in practical production. Dak Lak has many key agricultural products and abundant biological resources. If production remains primarily focused on selling raw products, added value will remain limited.
The application of biotechnology in breeding, the production of biological products, preservation, deep processing, and the utilization of agricultural by-products can contribute to the formation of value chains with higher added value.
By-products from coffee, durian, pepper, cocoa, and many other agricultural sectors, if treated using appropriate technologies, can not only reduce environmental pressure but also become raw materials for biofertilizers, animal feed, biomaterials, and other products with economic value.
Therefore, there is a need to make a strong shift from the mindset of “having research projects” to “having products and application models”, and from individual research to the formation of interconnected value chains and innovation ecosystems.
Building a Biotechnology Ecosystem Through Linkages
For biotechnology to truly become a driver of development, it cannot rely solely on one sector, one agency, or one group of scientists. Stronger linkages are needed among the State, scientists, businesses, cooperatives, and people.
The State should play a role in creating mechanisms, policies, and a favorable environment; universities and research institutes should provide knowledge and technology; businesses should be the force that brings technology into production and the market; while cooperatives and people should be the actors who receive and apply the technology and create products.
Alongside this, attention should be paid to developing research groups, laboratories, and technology transfer facilities capable of addressing practical issues in the locality; priority should be given to research tasks with clearly identified application addresses and with businesses and cooperatives participating from the commissioning stage.
Overview of the workshop
Data and Digital Transformation as a Foundation for Supporting Application
One area requiring attention is the development of databases serving biotechnology research, application, and management. Data on varieties, land, crops, the environment, production processes, and markets, if properly organized, standardized, and connected, will enable scientists, regulatory agencies, and businesses to make more effective use of them.
Combining data with technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and data analytics can support production monitoring, forecasting, and process optimization. This is also a way to link biotechnology applications with digital transformation, contributing to improved management and production efficiency.
Toward Green, High-Value Agriculture
In the coming period, Dak Lak needs to identify a number of biotechnology fields in which it has advantages in order to concentrate resources, particularly technologies serving crop varieties, organic agriculture, deep processing of agricultural products, treatment of agricultural by-products and waste, environmental protection, development of a circular economy, and emissions reduction.
More importantly, each science and technology task needs to be considered in relation to the needs of businesses, cooperatives, and people.
The scientific workshop on September 17, 2026 provided an opportunity for managers, scientists, businesses, and production stakeholders to exchange views and gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities and issues that need to be further addressed.
If the potential of biological resources can be connected with scientific knowledge, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, biotechnology could become one of the important foundations helping Dak Lak increase the value of agricultural products, develop a green economy, protect the environment, and pursue rapid and sustainable development.
Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the workshop
