(VOVworld) - Doctor Ha Thi Thuy is Deputy Director of the Agricultural Genetics Institute. In nearly 30 years of doing this work, Thuy has directed many research projects on plant varieties to increase economic efficiency. She has been honored as one of Vietnam’s 10 most outstanding women of 2014. Le Phuong reports: 

Thuy was born in Thai Binh, which is famous for growing rice. She studied biotechnology at Vietnam National University. The more research projects she carried out, the more passionate she became about her major. Since she began working at the Agricultural Genetics Institute, Thuy has directed a dozen projects, the most successful of which concerned segmented fruits without seeds and high-yield sugarcane. She said: “It takes approximately 20 years for a scientist to create a variety of segmented fruit tree. I hope I will be able to create more varieties of Vietnamese origin to reduce imports.”

Thuy’s plant varieties have been applauded for helping poor farm families escape poverty. Thuy said: “I want to transfer new techniques to the farmers. New varieties of flowers, sugarcane or oranges will replace their old techniques.  I particularly want to help poor people in mountain areas like Yen Bai, Lai Chau, and Ha Giang.”

Doctor Thuy has been given the nickname “Doctor fruit tree”. She said bumper crops motivate her to continue her research projects. Thuy attributes her success to the teaching of Professor Do Nang Vinh, a colleague since her very first days at the Agricultural Genetics Institute. Vinh said: “Thuy is hardworking and always eager to learn. She has a great passion for her work and wants to help farmers with her research projects.”

Thuy is a responsible manager in the eyes of the Institute’s staff and she has been President of the Institute’s Trade Union for many years. Phan Thi Thanh Thuy has been working with her for 20 years: “Thuy always cares about others. She always does what she can to help others. She is very passionate about her work and she often works until late at night.”

Professor Vinh said Thuy is considered a relative by many farming households in rural areas: “Thuy is a martyr’s daughter so she particularly sympathizes with martyrs and soldiers’ families. She visits each family and gives flowers to the mothers every year. People love Thuy for her kind heart.”