Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Theevent was held within the framework of the 2017 Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa SeaFestival from June 10-13, aiming to seek measures for the sustainabledevelopment of the swift-breeding sector. It drew the participation of morethan 100 scientists, experts and State management officials in science,technology, agriculture, rural development, natural resources and environment.
AssociateProf. Nguyen Lan Hung Son from Hanoi National University of Education and MA HoThi Loan from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology said that by March2017, up to 36 cities and provinces have farmed swifts for their nests with atotal of more than 5,060 swiftlet houses.
Alongwith southern and central localities such as Tien Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, KienGiang, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh and Ninh Thuan, several northern citiesand provinces like Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh, and Central Highlandslocalities like Kon Tum and Gia Lai have also rolled out swiftlet farming.
With14 speeches, participants touched upon scientific and technological issues inservice of the sector, quality and origin of the bird’s nests, impacts ofclimate change on the formation and development of swifts in the northern provinces,and building and protecting the brand name of Khanh Hoa bird nests.
Accordingto Associate Prof. Pham Cong Hoan from the Ministry of Science and Technology, despitetheir good quality, the annual output of Vietnamese bird nests still remains low,at about 10 tonnes, just equivalent to 10-14 percent compared with that ofMalaysia and Thailand.
Hoanand other delegates at the workshop shared the view that Vietnam is blessedwith favourable natural conditions for swiftlet farming such as a longcoastline, pristine natural caves and islands.
Theysuggested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development soon issue anofficial circular on the management of the sector.
Municipaland provincial authorities should put forth orientations and strategies on swiftletfarming development until 2020 with a vision towards 2030, they said.
Atthe same time, it is necessary for specialised agencies to conduct morescientific research in order to meet the increasing demands of the sector,including the processing method to add more values to the products.
Ina recent move, the Vietnamese Swiftlet Farming Association under the VietnamFarms and Agricultural Enterprises Association has made its debut in HCM City,aiming to link the State, scientists, entrepreneurs and farmers in theswift-breeding industry, supporting swift breeders to sell their products atreasonable prices, and building a brand for Vietnamese bird nests for bothdomestic and export markets.
Theassociation will work to ensure products supplied by members of the associationwill have consistent quality and clear origin to protect consumers, he said.
Swiftnests are high in protein, low in fat and contain various amino acids essentialto the human body and other beneficial substances.
Swiftsusually build their nests in deep caves on islands or along steep cliffs. Inthe past, people used their nests only to serve the king and noble families.
Theswift-breeding industry has developed quickly in many places such as Indonesia,Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, and Hong Kong, with Indonesiaproducing about 100 tonnes of nests annually and Thailand and Malaysia about60-70 tonnes a year.
InVietnam, high profits have lured many investors to invest in breeding the birdsindoors in recent years.
Currently,raw bird nest is priced at 20-30 million VND (880-1,322 USD) per kilo, while akilo of refined bird nest is at 40-45 million VND, and even 100-200 million VNDfor some special types.-VNA
VNA
