Mr. Son: Developing commercial livestock farming

(Baonghean)In recent years, livestock farming has gradually become the main industry bringing in large income for people in the mountainous district of Anh Son; at the same time helping the locality promote its potential for livestock development.

With a loan of 200 million VND from the Agricultural Bank of Anh Son district, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Dung's family, village 1-5, Cam Son commune (Anh Son), invested in a pig farm. With a scale of 30 sows and 150-200 pigs, in 2012, the total output is expected to reach 25-30 tons of live pigs, bringing in a total revenue of 1.2 billion VND. Mr. Dung shared: "When I was in 12th grade, I had to drop out of school to work because my family's circumstances were too difficult. I worked hard alone to level the mountains, grow rice, cassava, tea, and dig ponds to raise fish, but my income was very low. Since receiving a loan from the Agricultural Bank of Anh Son district to do business, I have invested in a comprehensive farm, and now my family has an income of 150-200 million VND each year."



Pig farm of Mr. Nguyen Tuan Dung's family - Cam Son commune.

Also borrowing 200 million VND from the District Agricultural Bank, Mr. Dang Trong Duong, Ke May village, Cam Son commune, chose to raise buffaloes and cows for sale. His family regularly raises 20-40 buffaloes and cows by buying skinny buffaloes and cows to care for and fatten, and after 2-3 months sell them at Dai Son market, Nam Dan, Vinh, Dien Chau... From raising buffaloes and cows for sale, Mr. Duong's family has a profit of 200 million VND/year.

Along with the dynamism of farmers in developing livestock in the locality, Anh Son district actively implements policies to support investment in agricultural, rural and aquatic development according to Decision No. 10/2010/QD-UBND. Accordingly, for commercial cattle and buffalo farming, interest rates are supported for up to 12 months through the Agricultural Bank for an average loan amount of 4 million VND/head to buy 1 cattle or buffalo; The budget pays the interest on loans through the Agricultural Bank.

Mr. Nguyen Huu My, Head of the Agriculture Department of Vinh Son Commune, said: “In 2012, Vinh Son Commune was allocated a target of 400 million VND to buy 100 beef cows, with the province supporting the loan interest rate for 12 months. Based on a survey of the capacity of each household in the commune, we invested capital in 28 households, of which the household with the most was 9 cows, the household with the least was 3 cows. From choosing the right households with conditions for barns, knowledge of raising cows and even knowing how to trade cows, the results were relatively high. Buying skinny cows to fatten, buying calves to raise. Like that, in 1 year, farmers can raise 2-3 times. On average, after 2-3 months of care and fattening, farmers earn about 2 million VND. The province's policy has really created conditions for farmers to be flexible in using capital to reproduce profitably, improving their lives.”

In Phuc Son commune, careful assessment of raising households was also conducted. In 2012, the commune deployed a loan of 972 million VND, investing in 92 households to buy 243 commercial buffaloes and cows (the loan investment support level was 4 million VND/cow). Phuc Son is a commune with abundant food sources for livestock, with a sugarcane growing area of ​​36 hectares, which has a source of leaves that provide very effective food for buffaloes and cows in the cold season. Besides, there are also food sources from other crops such as corn, peanuts, etc. Therefore, the demand for raising livestock among the people is still very large. "This program is suitable for the conditions in the commune, so it has been enthusiastically received by the people. Thanks to the support policy of the province, it has promoted the movement to develop livestock raising in the locality. On average, 1 buffalo or cow raised for 3-4 months has a profit of about 2 million VND. People hope that the province will continue to have many support mechanisms for the people" - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Son commune Nguyen Van Trang said.

Animal husbandry in Anh Son has become a commodity production industry that brings good income to the people. Concentrated animal husbandry farms are increasingly appearing in the communes. With abundant food sources, favorable grasslands, corn, and winter crops, people know how to make the most of food sources from crop products to serve animal husbandry development. 21/21 communes and towns have developed animal husbandry on a large scale. Currently, the whole Anh Son district has a total herd of 32,720 buffaloes and cows, 50,753 pigs, and 759,354 poultry. In 2012, the total value of agricultural, forestry, and fishery production in Anh Son district is estimated at 1,376 billion VND, accounting for 51.3% of the total production value of the whole district. Of which, the production value of the animal husbandry industry alone reached more than 500 billion VND, accounting for over 40% of the total value of the agricultural, forestry, and fishery industry. In 2013, Anh Son district plans to increase the total production value of the livestock industry by 12-15%; gradually making the livestock industry a key industry in agricultural production.

Quynh Lan