Science and tech are key to transforming livestock systems

The two-day event is co-organized by Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD).

The conference takes place as demand for safe, nutritious animal-source foods continues to rise rapidly, while the region’s livestock sector faces mounting pressures from climate change, disease, environmental degradation, and increasingly stringent consumer expectations on sustainability and supply chain transparency.

A wide range of practical solutions already exists, from climate-smart livestock practices and strengthened veterinary systems and animal health management to more efficient feed use and tighter food safety standards. These measures can significantly reduce environmental impacts while improving productivity. However, scaling them up remains slow, hindered by fragmented policies, limited cross-country coordination, and persistent gaps between scientific research, investment, and on-the-ground implementation.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said livestock contributes 18 - 30 percent of agricultural GDP in many Asia-Pacific countries but is under growing strain from climate pressures, environmental constraints, shifting consumer demand, and competition for land, water, and other resources. He stressed that how the sector is produced, managed, and developed in the coming decades will play a decisive role in the success of the global food systems transformation.

Drawing on Viet Nam’s experience, he noted that livestock is one of the pillars of the agricultural sector, accounting for roughly 27 percent of total output value and providing livelihoods for millions of farming households. In recent years, the sector has shifted from small-scale production toward large-scale commodity production, with greater application of science and technology and stronger value chain development.

He outlined three strategic directions for the next phase. First, science, innovation, and digital transformation must become the central drivers of livestock development through high-performance breeding, precision nutrition, biotechnology, digital technologies, and smart management systems. Second, livestock development must be closely linked with strengthened biosecurity and a One Health approach, in which modern veterinary systems and disease surveillance are critical to protecting human, animal, and ecosystem health. Third, livestock must be part of the climate solution through green production models, circular-economy approaches, and effective waste management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving livelihoods.

“Viet Nam stands ready to be a reliable partner and a bridge for technology transfer and experience sharing to build a modern, transparent, responsible, and sustainable livestock sector,” Phung Duc Tien said.

In a message to the conference, FAO representatives emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region sits at the center of global livestock transformation. Beyond its role in food supply, livestock is closely tied to livelihoods, resilience, and rural development, supporting hundreds of millions of farmers, pastoral communities, and value chain actors.

Beyond policy dialogue and solution-sharing, the conference is expected to provide a platform for countries and partners to exchange successful models. FAO also noted that sustainable livestock transformation is embedded in its 2022-2031 Strategy under the “Four Betters” framework: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. At the global level, FAO member states, through the Sub-Committee on Livestock, have identified this as a strategic priority and called for the development of a Global Action Plan to coordinate efforts.

From a research perspective, Siboniso Moyo, ILRI Deputy Director General and a member of CGIAR, said ILRI is working with partners across Africa and Asia to generate scientific evidence and practical solutions for more productive, sustainable, and resilient livestock systems, particularly for smallholders. She noted that Asia is a strategic region for ILRI, and Viet Nam has been a key partner for nearly two decades, with cooperation spanning animal health, One Health, food safety, climate-adaptive livestock, and value chains.

According to ILRI, science and innovation are central to transforming livestock systems. Research on animal health, climate adaptation, and One Health can help countries both boost productivity and better manage disease risks and environmental pressures. The conference, she said, should help identify shared priorities, innovative solutions, and stronger collaboration among science, policy, and investment toward concrete regional actions.

As a co-organizer, CIRAD underscored the role of scientific collaboration in addressing the region’s complex challenges. With millions of farmers relying on livestock as a primary livelihood, research partnerships are essential to developing solutions tailored to diverse farming systems while ensuring that livestock transformation contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.

In addition to facilitating policy exchange, the conference is expected to help countries and partners share successful models, identify priority areas in food and nutrition security, rural livelihoods, animal health, One Health, and climate-adaptive livestock, and strengthen regional cooperation in the years ahead.

On the sidelines of the conference, ILRI and CIRAD signed four research cooperation agreements with Vietnamese partners, including the National Institute of Veterinary Research, the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture, and the Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences.