Science and technology: Breakthrough engine for livestock sector

Livestock production can develop even stronger

In the spectacular breakthrough picture of the livestock and veterinary sector, science and technology (S&T) serve as the core engine. At Hung Nhon, digital transformation is being implemented comprehensively, ranging from information technology applications in management to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems for farm operations. These technologies help optimize production processes, control diseases, cut costs, and raise economic efficiency.

We are step-by-step shaping a high-tech agricultural model linked with a comprehensive ecosystem, where science and technology are applied seamlessly from production to management. This is an inevitable trend of modern livestock farming, not only reserved for large enterprises, but also needing to spread to every farming household and cooperative to create synchronized transformation.

For S&T to truly become a lever, mechanisms and policies must continue to be perfected, particularly constructing a clear, stable legal framework so that enterprises feel confident in long-term investment. Simultaneously, the livestock sector needs to be reorganized along tight value chains, from breeding and seed selection, feed production, to livestock farming, slaughtering, and processing.

Another important issue is livestock zone planning. Clear orientations are needed in farm development, with rational distribution among regions, especially moving livestock farming away from residential areas, linked with raw material zones, and effective disease control. This is a necessary condition to develop the sector in a modern, safe, and sustainable direction.

Innovating mindsets and elevating the governance role of management agencies serve as decisive factors for S&T to enter reality. When technology is widely applied, the livestock sector will not only reduce dependency on manual labor, but also boost productivity, improve people's incomes, and enhance the added value of products.

In the country's era of rising up, if S&T is well utilized, Viet Nam's livestock sector can completely create even stronger steps of development.

(Mr. Vu Manh Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hung Nhon Group).

Vietnamese livestock farming approaches international standards

I highly appreciate the strides made by Viet Nam's livestock sector amidst global volatility. Over recent years, events from the Covid-19 pandemic to the conflict in Ukraine have disrupted supply chains and markets. However, Vietnamese agriculture, especially livestock farming, has remained the backbone of the economy, contributing positively to GDP growth and export turnover.

One of the key factors creating this breakthrough is the timely policy decisions from the Vietnamese Government. Reforms in mechanisms and policies, from promoting S&T to untangling land bottlenecks and developing concentrated livestock farming, have contributed to building a more transparent and favorable investment environment for enterprises.

At De Heus, S&T is identified as a strategic pillar, backed by heavy investments in animal nutrition research, experimental farm systems, and partnerships with domestic institutes. Applications in biotechnology, automation, breed improvement, and disease control are contributing to raising productivity and quality, bringing Vietnamese livestock farming closer to international standards.

Two bottlenecks that currently need untangling in Viet Nam's livestock and veterinary sector are reliance on imported raw materials and the need to build disease-free zones for export. Nevertheless, with advantages in human resources, access to technology, decisive governance from the Government, and favorable natural conditions, Viet Nam's livestock sector is expected to continue its breakthrough.

(Mr. Gabor Fluit, Global CEO of De Heus Group).

Science and technology as the "backbone axis"

Viet Nam's livestock sector, particularly pig farming, has achieved outstanding results in recent years, affirming its position not only regionally but also globally.

Currently, Viet Nam's total pig herd reaches over 31 million head, ranking 5th in the world in scale and 6th in output. This is a remarkable result given Viet Nam's limited land area, large population, and high consumption demand. It stands as a testament to the persistent efforts of the entire sector, from management agencies and enterprises to livestock farmers.

Not only growing in scale, the livestock sector has also made strong strides in S&T. Most advanced technologies in the world, particularly in pig farming, have been applied in Viet Nam. The combination of high-quality imported breeds with native genetic resources is creating an important foundation for the sector to develop sustainably while raising productivity and product quality.

In the coming time, S&T will continue to be identified as the sector's "backbone axis." The focus lies in developing core technologies such as breeding selection, livestock feed production, environmental technology, and disease control. This is also a consistent theme in the sector development strategy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045, aiming to enhance added value and competitiveness in international markets.

The institutional and policy system for the livestock sector is now relatively synchronized, ranging from the Law on Livestock Production and the Law on Veterinary Medicine to guiding decrees and circulars...

Alongside this, amending the Land Law has for the first time incorporated concentrated livestock land into planning, establishing land's role as an essential production means. Furthermore, Government Decree No. 106/2024/ND-CP on policies to enhance livestock farming efficiency comprehensively covers supporting elements, from breeds, feed, and raw material zones to technology, environment, and production reorganization. These are crucial conditions for the sector to transition in a modern, sustainable direction.

(Mr. Pham Kim Dang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Livestock Production and Veterinary Medicine).

Strongly Innovating Research Mindsets

For S&T to truly demonstrate effectiveness, research mindsets must be strongly innovated. Accordingly, scientific activities must shift from researching merely to produce projects to researching to create products, taking application efficiency and commercialization capability as the measuring stick.

Research programs need to stem from practical requirements, organized along value chains and focusing on key targets such as pigs, cattle, and poultry. Concurrently, priority should be given to mastering strategic technologies such as breeding technologies, advanced farming protocols, vaccine and veterinary drug production, as well as disease surveillance and warning systems.

In particular, the "three-party" linkage model (State, scientists, and enterprises) is identified as the key to bringing S&T products into production reality. However, to achieve this, institutional bottlenecks must continue to be untangled, especially administrative procedures and regulations related to product testing and trials.

Only when S&T is closely attached to reality, backed by flexible mechanisms and synchronized coordination, can Viet Nam's livestock and veterinary sector develop rapidly, sustainably, and integrate deeply with the world.

(Mr. Nguyen Van Long, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology - Ministry of Agriculture and Environment).