HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) of the Ministry of Finance, in partnership with the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University and the Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association, hosted a conference in Hà Nội to promote the country’s agricultural sector through strategic investments.

The event aimed to share research on investment effectiveness in agriculture, discuss innovation trends, and propose directions to restructure and enhance investment outcomes in the coming years.

NIC Director Vũ Quốc Huy said that, in the context of Việt Nam’s determined implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2021–2030 and its ambition to become a high-income developed country by 2045, restructuring agriculture through innovation is of strategic importance.

“Agriculture, as the backbone of the economy, contributing 12 per cent of GDP and providing livelihoods for nearly one-third of the population, faces unprecedented challenges,” Huy said.

These include climate change impacts, depletion of land and water resources, rural labour migration, and growing market demands for safe, traceable, and green products.

“This reality demands urgent action; only through innovation and the application of new science and technology can we create breakthroughs to help Vietnamese agriculture develop efficiently, sustainably, and enhance its competitiveness in the global value chain,” he added.

Director of the Crawford School Professor Janine O'Flynn highlighted the importance of agricultural investment for inclusive, sustainable growth and the resilience of Việt Nam’s economy. Evaluating agricultural investment effectiveness provides a scientific basis for public policy, optimising resources and supporting sustainable development.

“This conference and the associated research project exemplify our strong commitment to supporting Việt Nam, sharing knowledge, and building capacity. The country is at a critical juncture of transformation, where policymakers must evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural investments, and we are assisting them in this important endeavour,” she said.

During the thematic session, ANU experts offered insights on agricultural investment in the context of Việt Nam’s macroeconomic landscape, reviewing public investment in 2021–2025 and assessing its effectiveness. Speakers also shared lessons from macro policy planning to practical implementation at community and business levels.

Delegates agreed that to achieve growth goals alongside inclusive and sustainable development, Việt Nam must increase investment in agriculture while improving public investment effectiveness. Priority should be given to regions and sectors with advantages, high added value, green transformation, technological innovation, and enhanced competitiveness.

Such measures would maximise the role of public investment in attracting private and social capital, the experts concluded. — VNS