Farming economy’s development strong but not sustainable

Since the government’s Resolution No 3 on developing farming economy became effective on February 2, 2000, some localities have worked detailed plans and measures to encourage farming economy in general and husbandry farming in particular. They have considered this as a way to shift economic structure in agriculture with the target to increase the husbandry production proportion from the current 24-25% to 30% (or some localities even make it 50%) by 2010.

According to statistics by the Department of Livestock Breeding, by late 2006 total livestock breeding farms throughout the country reached 17.721. Of these, 6,313 farms are in the northern region and 11,408 others are in the south.

Due to the vast land, abundant feed, developed processing industry and large consumption market, the eastern part of the southern region is the leading area in the country in terms of animal husbandry farming economy with a total of 6,366 farms, followed by the Red river delta with 3.157 farms, the Mekong river delta with 2,127 farms.

In comparison with the traditional breeding method, the farming breeding method has brought about stable incomes for farmers. However, the incomes depend on the scale of the farm, the animals that are being raised and the investment level.

In addition, farming economy has contributed to create jobs for the abundant workforce in the rural areas.

As most of the livestock breeding farms in Vietnam are small in scale, most of them are household farms, their investment is limited, thus, this has not helped create concentrated breeding areas.

Most of the localities have not worked out long-term planning for concentrated breeding, and breeding farms, thus farms have been set up in an arbitrary manner and affected the ecological environment.

Moreover, many farm owners have not been trained on industrial breeding techniques, especially on farm economic management. This has affected the effectiveness of their production and trading. Prices of Vietnam’s husbandry products are often higher compared to other countries in the region and the world.

Difficulties that need to be dealt with

According to the deputy head of the Department of Livestock Breeding Nguyen Thanh Son, farming husbandry has been developing in an unprompted manner. There are difficulties in the procedures for land lease allocation in some localities. The grant of farm certificates is very slow.

Moreover, the demand for investment capital in building a farm is very big while owners of farms find it hard to access loans from credit institutions.

The break-out of diseases has also contributed to weakening the competitiveness of husbandry products. There are also difficulties in connecting the producers and the traders.

In addition, a trade model for husbandry products has not been completed and suitable with the demand for international economic integration.

In concentrated breeding areas, farm owners have not been given preferential policies as well as investment incentives (like industrial parks) such as support in infrastructure facilities construction, land clearance and exemption of land rents in the first years of operations, etc.

It can be affirmed that the sustainable development of the concentrated farming husbandry model is an indispensable trend of the husbandry sector as Vietnam has become a full member of the WTO. It is becoming a stressing issue especially when such diseases as bird flu and foot and mouth are happening in a complicated manner. The organisation of the concentrated farming husbandry model will help increase productivity, improve quality, reduce costs, ensure food safety and increase the capability of fighting against disease and protecting the ecological environment.

Thus, farm owners wish to receive support from the State. Transparent and suitable policies on land, capital, investment and market for farming husbandry will be the practical measures to help the Vietnamese husbandry sector overcome challenges for sustainable development.

Source: Nhan Dan