Aim at effective and sustainable animal breeding

Animal breeding is at fair growth rate

Although there are many challenges and difficulties reported in 2010, Vietnam’s animal husbandry has obtained a fair growth. In the event “The second animal breeder’s day in Thong Nhat 2011” held recently, Mr. Hoang Kim Giao, Head of Animal Breeding Division (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said: “According to General Department of Statistics, total yield in 2010 was above 4 million tons of meat, 306 thousand tons of fresh milk and 5.87 billion of eggs. Total products in 2010 rises by 6.3% compared with 2009. For pig breeding, total productivity in 2010 was 27.3 million reducing by 0.92% compared with 2009. It comprises 4.1 million of sows and total pig liveweight of 3.03 million tons soaring by 3.3% compared with 2009. The population of livestock rises from 280 million to 300.4 million, rising by 7.2%; meat yields from 528 thousand tons to 615 thousand tons, soaring by 16.5%. The number of livestock eggs achieves 5.87 billion soaring by 7.55% compared with 2009. In 2011, animal husbandry will strive to reach the average production value of 7.5-8% compared with 2010, raising the density of animal husbandry up to 30%. Total meat liveweight gains 4.283 million tons, rising by 6.5%; egg yield is 6.527 billion rising by 9.5%; milk capacity is 330 thousand tons, rising by 10%; the convertible productivity of industrial animal feed will gain 12 million tons, rising by 1.1% compared with the year 2010.

Strive for sustainable animal breeding

In 2010, although total animal breeding production was rising by 6.3% in comparison with the year 2009, total herd of pigs nationwide has been decreased by 0.92%, which was mainly caused by many diseases such as blue ear and swine foot and mouth, etc in consecutive years. Though these diseases are now under control, animal breeders still have to face with many difficulties.

At present, though pig liveweight price was sometimes rising up to more than 60 thousand vnd/kg, breeders felt unpleased and ignored to breed new herd of pigs. Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, an owner of a large pig breeding farm at Gia Tan 3, Thong Nhat district, shared: “Pig liveweight price is reaching the top but, due to wavering and risky consuming market, breeders is afraid of the recurring epidemics which discourages them to invest in recreating numerous herds of pig. Meanwhile, animal feed price is continuously rising.”

While being regarded as the agricultural country, Vietnam has to regularly import materials to make animal feed, comprising most of dry materials such as corn, soybean and fish powder. According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Loi, President cum General Director of Golden Pig animal feed company, as we have to import a large amount of raw materials for animal feed production, then the fluctuating price depends on the rule of world economy. In order to neutralize the market of animal feed, Vietnam needs to plan the concentrate region for raw material production and enlarge the area of transgenic plants. Mr. Loi forecast that, from now to yearend, the price of animal feed is difficult to rise and he also noted that breeders should be informed to properly use the standard-acclaimed feed to provide nutrients to home-bred livestock and cattle. According to Mr. Pham Minh Dao, Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, an effective and sustainable husbandry needs the close tie among 4 professions “Administrator – Scientist – Entrepreneur – Peasant” with the role of governmental administrators regarded as significantly important factor.

Mr. Hoang Kim Giao, Head of Animal Breeding Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), stated: “To obtain the target of animal breeding development in 2011 and many consecutive years, the department will continue to supervise the strategic implementation to develop the animal husbandry by 2020. The planning on the ecological region of animal breeding development and nationwide specialized production is executed. The growth of animal breeding should be safe, effective, competitive and sustainable, which can enable customers to access to quality products and food hygiene”.

Reported by T.C, Translated by Minh Minh