Authorities and experts came together in Hanoi on July 9 to discussed how to improve the quality and efficiency of livestock production in the second half of 2015.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, reviewed the implementation of the restructuring of livestock production and discuss future action points.

Director of the Ministry’s National Institute of Animal Sciences Nguyen Thanh Son highlighted the sector’s challenges in terms of productivity, quality and price, and called for the application of technology in stockbreeding.

Son also pointed out the lack of linkages between farmers and businesses, poor food safety and hygiene, and cumbersome administrative procedures.

Meanwhile, President of the Vietnam Animal Feed Association (VietFeed) Le Ba Lich underlined the financial difficulties businesses in the sector faced, and suggested more demand-oriented research be conducted.

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agricultural and Rural Development Nguyen Phuoc Trung stressed the significance of the quality of stockbreeding and production scale in improving productivity and product quality.

The city offered a number of incentives for farmers to apply science and technologies in order to reduce costs in livestock production, Trung said.

Minister Cao Duc Phat called for a change in mindset among stakeholders to boost the sector’s restructuring process, thus enhancing its competitiveness and integration into regional and global markets.

The sector should focus on productivity and quality in order to meet consumption and export demands, the Minister said, adding that the application of science and technology should also be fostered in the production process to reduce costs, while also ensuring food safety and hygiene.

Statistics published by the Ministry’s Department of Livestock show that the sector has grown by 4.8 percent over the past six months, meeting domestic demand in full and partly fulfilling its export targets.-VNA