Pioneering role of enterprises in future sustainable agriculture

Vinamilk's farm in Tay Ninh is impressed by its large scale and modernity as well as known for its green space as a "resort." (Source: Vinamilk)

Hanoi (VNA) - Vinamilk has both focused on solutions to develop the milch cow breeding in terms of scale, productivity and technology, and building a sustainable future of the breeding industry with a system of dairy cow farms nationwide as a core.

Putting sustainable husbandry at strategic level

According to the latest report, Vinamilk owns a largest system of internationally-standard dairy cow farms in Asia in terms of quantity, with 12 domestic farms operating under Global GAP and Organic EU standards.

Besides, its three other farms are being built in Vietnam and Laos. They are expected to add 20,000 milch cows to Vinamilk’s current herd of cows at 150,000.

The large scale and upcoming development plan require the firm a strategic investment for the management of the system in the direction of “sustainable development.”

In its sustainable development in 2019, CEO Mai Kieu Lien said the firm will boost programmes on sustainable development, set up specialised units on “circular economy”, implement sustainable development goals, thereby helping Vinamilk to be among top 30 dairy companies in the world and becoming a dairy firm creating the most value in the region.

To realise the goals, Vinamilk has been applying the circular economy model in its system of farms, with specific programmes like sustainable land management, advanced agricultural farming, green and renewable energy, waste management and recycling (from waste to resources).

Green cycle at farms

Covering 685ha, the farm in southern Tay Ninh province raises more than 8,000 dairy cows.

Vinamilk's farm in Tay Ninh is impressed by its large scale and modernity as well as known for its green space as a "resort." (Source: Vinamilk)

To create an ideal breeding environment like a “resort”, Vinamilk invested more than 1.2 trillion VND (52 million USD) to build the farm using advanced technologies from Japan, the US and Europe like cooling system, automatic cleaning system, and biogas waste collection and treatment technology.

It can be said that biogas is a highlight in Vinamilk's efforts to implement the circular economy, helping turn cattle waste into fertiliser and energy, along with waste collection and liquid treatment technology applied in Vinamilk farms.

Biogass systems, which turn waste to resources, at Vinamilk’s milch cow farms. (Source: Vinamilk)

Meanwhile in Da Lat city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, Vinamilk built and developed an organic milch cow farm, the first of its kind in Vietnam, to ensure the environmentally-friendly breeding model, meeting European standards.

The waste collection technology applied by Vinamilk helps keep cowsheds clean and ensure health and convenience for the milch cow population. (Source: Vinamilk)

The Da Lat-based 70ha farm, which cost 200 billion VND (8.8 million USD) raised a herd of 500 cows in the first stage. The entire cow population has been carefully selected and given organic feed.

The farm follows three strict rules: no stimulants, no pesticides in feed and no residues in milk.

The test results of the use of solar cells at Vinamilk’s Dalat farm have significantly reduced costs and CO2 emissions into the environment, with a total renewable power reaching 58,954kWh. Vinamilk will expand this energy project on a large scale in the next five years.

Diagram on sustainable land resource management carried out at Vinamilk’s cow farms. (Source: Vinamilk)

In addition to assessments on land resources risks, Vinamilk has devised programmes on sustainable management and maximisation of quality through organic breeding activities, application of high-tech into land cultivation and crop rotation.

Only in three years from 2016-2019, the total organic grass growing area of Vinamilk increase 10-fold. Japan’s agricultural technique is also applied in some farms, thereby better regulating pH in soil and increasing nutrition in the soil.

Under its roadmap, Vinamilk will invest in upgrading LED lighting systems, applying energy saving technologies and management software to optimise time and performance of farm machinery, and expanding the use of the solar system.

Use of solar energy helps reduce CO2 emissions into the environment. (Source: Vinamilk)

Vietnam currently ranks sixth in Asia, second in ASEAN in terms of fresh milk production and fourth in cow herd productivity. To continue developing and bringing the milk sector closer to the world milch cow breeding, sustainable agriculture is an orientation of the future, in which the active role and investment of pioneering enterprises are main factors to create momentum for the development of the sector./.