As part of the project “Social Inclusion in Economic Enterprise Development” funded by the European Commission and CARE Denmark, the black boned chicken breeding model has brought in social and economic benefits for people in Dien Bien province. The project has helped poor farmers in 15 communes in Dien Bien province to benefit equitably from marketing of local products on regional and national scales and from sustained agricultural/forestry product systems. It also enhances its capacity to support community groups and improve market approaches. Vietnam Business Forum Magazine has an interview with Mr Hoang Van Nhan, Vice Chairman of Dien Bien People's Committee, on this issue. Luong Tuan reports.
Could you please the results of Denmark-funded black boned chicken breeding model in Tua Chua district?
Black-boned chicken, a local species bred by the Mong people, is highly adaptable to harsh conditions on the upland. At present, due to cross-breeding, the purity is diminished. In the future, if we do select purebred lines, we may face the risk of losing precious gene pool. Chicken species bred by local Mong people are very favoured on the market because of its high meat quality and high nutritional value. Comparing profits from raising black-boned chicken and other chicken species, with the same investment value and time, black-bone chickens generate higher values than other species by 30 - 45 percent. The market demand is very high but the supply is limited because of low re-productivity, low purity, small-scaled husbandry, self-subsistence habits and absence of market-oriented husbandry chain. This hinders farmers from approaching (associating) with input service suppliers (feed, veterinary medicines, etc.) and searching for output markets. Hence, farmers usually do not have deserving prices for their products. The SIEED Project which collaborated with local partners to survey the reality of black-boned chicken husbandry and market opportunities for local products showed that restoring and developing black-boned chicken is an appropriate direction to improve life and reduce poverty for ethnic minorities in the upland.
After more than one year of implementation, the model has brought in positive results: reproducing purebred chicken on 450 parent chicken, providing more than 3,500 baby chickens for 80 participatory households, and organising 10 training courses for stakeholders. Participating households are able to raise chicken according to project objectives. The provincial authorities are coordinating with relevant bodies to establish relations with chicken meat selling groups. Besides, Dien Bien established eight interest groups with the participation of 80 members in six villages in Muong Bang commune (mainly Thai ethnic people) and Sinh Phinh commune (mainly Mong ethnic people). The Project provides field trips, workgroup planning skills, etc. for group members. With high economic values, many members have registered for continuation.
How have local farmers changed their husbandry practices and approached market economy after they joined this model?
Before carrying out this project, the province was very worried because it was uncertain that farmers would drop their old practices. However, when the project was launched, local farmers quickly realised advantages of new practices over old ones and adapted to them. Their way of thinking also changed: from self-subsistence to commerciality. They also saw that group-based farming rewarded greater returns than individual standing. Local authorities also witnessed the role of commercialising local crops and animals. Some communes like Sinh Phinh and Muong Bang have chosen black-boned chicken as their main breadwinner in the coming time. With simple techniques, the model is expected to be expanded soon.
To date, the benefits of black-boned chicken husbandry in Tua Chua has spread out. Farmers in many districts like Muong Ang and Dien Bien Dong have learnt the model. In the coming time, reproduction groups will expand their outputs to supply baby chickens for registered farmers. This is a very encouraging signal as it adds a new impetus for Dien Bien to reduce poverty and develop sustainably.
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