Government support needed to help animal husbandry overcome problems

Vietnam’s animal husbandry sector needs to improve its competitiveness and more government support is needed to help businesses overcome the ongoing difficulties, a conference in Hanoi on April 27 to review and discuss solutions to develop the sector in the new circumstances heard.

Mr. Tong Xuan Chinh, Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Department of Livestock Production, said Vietnam is among countries with the largest poultry numbers in the world.

Numbers increased rapidly during the 2018-2022 period, from 435.7 million to 557.3 million, for average growth of 6.3 per cent each year.

However, the sector continues to face difficulties and challenges. The global and domestic economic downturn has disrupted the operations of many businesses and affected purchasing power for products such as meat and eggs.

Price fluctuations in animal and poultry products has also caused a degree of unsustainability in the market and hit farmer psychology. Meanwhile, forecasting has failed to match eventualities and farmers lack the capital to expand production.

Chairman of the Animal Husbandry Association Nguyen Thanh Son said many businesses and farms are at risk of bankruptcy and thousands of husbandry establishments have had to cut production or even cease operating.

He proposed the government instruct ministries and agencies to review relevant policies to provide practical and timely support to farmers and businesses.

It is also necessary to adjust the conditions businesses face in gaining access to financial assistance and capital and to cut corporate income taxes, so that businesses have sufficient capital to maintain production, he said.

He proposed that MARD review the mid and long-term development strategies for the animal husbandry sector to ensure harmonization between quantity and quality, with a focus on improving product quality and production efficiency.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien asked businesses to focus on improving their capacity and technology and to boost trade promotion activities.

He also asked the Department of Livestock Production to coordinate with the Office of the Government to soon issue decisions to support businesses and small-scale farmers in regard to breeds, animal feed, and production costs.