By Thinh Nguyen
Since 2023, the Chan-hênh (SAPLING) initiative by CGIAR has been fostering sustainable livestock practices in eight farmer groups in the Mai Son District of Son La Province, Vietnam.
The project has provided technical support to participants to adopt advanced practices in breeding selection, animal health management, and feed and forage management. It has also enhanced the management skills of these groups by defining clear roles for members and management teams, resulting in more efficient and organized operations.
However, the farmer groups are struggling to sell their livestock profitably because of a mismatch between market demand and the low production levels of the participating households. This challenge has been intensified by outbreaks of African Swine fever impacting pigs and the halt of cross-border cattle trade to China, which is Vietnam’s main cattle market.
To address the issue, SAPLING, in collaboration with the Mai Son District People’s Committee, hosted a livestock trade promotion workshop on 28 November 2024. The workshop attracted 80 participants, including leaders from the people’s committees of 22 towns and communes in the Mai Son District, representatives from eight farmer groups involved in the Chan Hênh project, slaughterhouse and business representatives, medium and large-scale livestock farmers, livestock cooperatives, and leaders of19 livestock farmer groups participating in the National Target Program.
Participants reviewed the development strategies for livestock production in Mai Son District for the years 2021 to 2030. They discussed the pros and cons of adopting a market-oriented approach considering the local circumstances. Most importantly, they explored the potential for an alliance in the production, purchasing, and marketing of livestock within Mai Son District and surrounding regions.
In the end, the participants agreed to establish a livestock production and distribution alliance. This alliance will be coordinated by the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development under the Mai Son District people’s committee and the Chan-Hênh project. Members of the alliance include livestock farmer groups/cooperatives, livestock traders/slaughterhouses, farmers’ associations, and commune people’s committees in Mai Son District. Its main tasks include:
- Inventorying livestock resource areas and livestock numbers throughout the district.
- Setting goals for linking livestock production with market units.
- Sharing information on buyers who want to purchase or process products from local livestock resources (cattle, pigs, horses).
- Developing an action plan with a time frame and performance evaluations.
- Informing participants about price trends, buyers, and production needs for products (cattle, pigs, etc.).
- Providing livestock care methods to local households.
- Promoting market thinking to replace the savings mindset of livestock farming.
- Assisting local enterprises and cooperatives in meeting policy requirements and government audits, thereby promoting local consumption.
As a pilot, monthly updates and newsletters will be provided to the alliance members, offering the latest information on market trends and consumption needs.
‘This is my first experience attending a workshop focused on practical issues for livestock farmers and others in the industry, particularly those of us in business. The creation of an alliance will facilitate connections among various stakeholders, promoting collaboration and increasing demand, which could lead to numerous income opportunities for everyone involved. I am eager to support this initiative and will be among the first to participate’ said Vu Thi Hanh, a large cattle trader in Mai Son District.
SAPLING is one of 32 CGIAR initiatives designed to achieve a world with sustainable and resilient food, land, and water systems. Its goal is to deliver more diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality within planetary and regional environmental boundaries. In Vietnam, one of its seven focus countries (others are Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Tanzania, and Uganda), the initiative is coordinated by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.
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