The animal husbandry sector has shifted from small scale to large scale, resulting in a strong decline in the number of household breeders, heard a workshop in Hanoi on November 18.

The event focused on how to promote the restructuring of the livestock sector and bring benefit to Vietnamese breeders.

Experts and scientists working in the field said small-scale breeders suffer from more risks such as diseases and more severe competition from large-scale ones. Meanwhile, they have not benefited much from State incentives.

Current policies applied to the sector only promote the development of industrial-oriented breeding but not directly support household breeders, said Nguyen Van Giap, Director of the Southern Centre of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture.

Moreover, small-scale breeders are usually outsiders of the sector’s value chain as the industry depends on the import of breeding animals, feed and veterinary medicine which are more and more expensive.
It is essential to define the relationship between the small and large scale breeding, Giap said, adding that the combination of the two models will increase benefits and reduce risks for farmers.

Luong Hong Doan, a farmer from the southern province of Dong Nai , said small-scale breeders meet with difficulties in accessing both capital sources and technological advances.

The State should provide them with sufficient financial support and technical training so that they can develop their breeding and prevent their livestock from diseases, he added.

Participants at the seminar proposed building long-term breeding strategies and plans, controlling illegal food import and food safety, and strictly managing the veterinary medicine and service market.-VNA