Using biological liquid absorbing substances together with rice husks or sawdust to make a sheet-like mat in the farming of livestock and cattle will improve sanitary condition and health for the animals, leading to high economic gains for breeders.

This bio-technology has been allowed to apply on a trial basis in many localities across the country like Ha Nam , Hau Giang, Dong Thap, Bac Giang, Ben Tre, Thanh Hoa, Tay Ninh, Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, Quang Ninh and Phu Tho.

According to the Animal Husbandry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as of November 2013, 28 farms and 3,658 households raising cattle have used such bio-substances on a total farming area of 70,000 square meters.

The bio-substance use is growing right in localities under the trial basis since the application has shown to remarkably reduce manure contamination in animal housings, increase disease resistance for animal species, significantly cut production and labour costs for breeders, and protect the environment.

Experts calculated that the country’s animal husbandry industry discharges about 80 million tonnes of solid waste annually, only 40 percent of which were treated, posing a high risk of pollution to the environment.

The lack of investment in the waste treatment system was described as a major restriction, heard a forum to review the issue in the Red River Delta that was held in the northern port city of Hai Phong recently.

While the number of households involved in livestock production remains high, their investment into treating animal waste remains very low.

Nguyen Thi Lien Huong from the National Centre for Agriculture Promotion suggested the creation of mechanisms to support farmers’ access to advanced waste treatment technology, especially those friendly to the environment.-VNA