Final: Need to ensure sustainability in farming and product "output"
Currently, deer farming in Quynh Nghia in particular and Quynh Luu in general is facing many difficulties; especially the perception: that in the livestock industry, the total number of buffalo and cow herds in the district is approximately equal to the number of deer (17,000/15,000), but buffalo and cow farming receives many "favors"; such as if there is an epidemic and the cattle are destroyed, there will be a compensation policy, veterinary services to care for buffalo and cows will be developed and above all, the strategy for developing buffalo and cow herds is planned through congresses and resolutions.
If we compare economic efficiency, the economic value that deer brings is not inferior to any other livestock; meanwhile, deer breeders do not receive any policies, but they have to fend for themselves. At the end of 2010, a deer epidemic occurred, killing thousands of animals. Communes requested support from the district, but so far there has been no response. On the other hand, in the economic development strategy from district to commune, there is not a single line for the development of deer, although in some communes deer have become the main livestock. Many opinions have raised, is it true that deer are not yet a legitimate livestock?
Currently, the Forestry Department and scientists have not yet agreed on whether deer are wild or domesticated animals. The Forestry Department believes that deer are wild animals, so each purchase must have a certificate of origin from the forest rangers. Scientists from the Animal Husbandry Institute believe that deer are domesticated animals. Although according to the habits of animals without gall bladders, they will never get used to human breath.
Is it because of these regulations that the authorities and localities are still afraid to include them in the resolution to have a development strategy? Since there is no development strategy, there are no career orientations. The breeders are struggling to maintain their profession. The total deer antler output of the district is currently estimated at about 4 tons, but the price is determined by the "brokers" in the area. When there are customers, they buy the goods, when there are no customers, they lower the price. The deer breeders cannot determine the value of their products.
Preserving deer antlers at Mr. Nguyen Van Ke's household
(Hamlet 7, Quynh Yen, Quynh Luu)
According to the people's feedback, in the 80s, deer farmers did not have to worry about output, whatever they had was bought by the district's pharmaceutical company. The deer antler wine product of Quynh Luu Pharmaceutical Company had a reputation in the domestic and foreign markets. Then, it was also Quynh Luu Pharmaceutical Company that brought it to Korea to sell. After the ups and downs of the deer, the farmers were nostalgic for the old days so that the deer farmers would no longer be forced to lower prices by traders.
Mr. Vu Ngoc Quy - the district's livestock officer said: Recently, when deer farming was restored, several domestic and foreign organizations were interested in the output for Quynh Luu deer.
In 2008, a deer conservation program in Quynh Luu of the French Embassy through the Animal Husbandry Institute surveyed, collected identification numbers, hung signs for more than 2,000 deer in the communes of Quynh Tan, Quynh Nghia, Quynh Bang, Quynh Luong... to preserve and research deer for meat, but after hanging signs, they were forgotten. Then a Korean organization came in to research and coordinate velvet production, but due to quality, farming practices... they could not get the products as required, so they also withdrew.
Most recently, businessman Truong Dac Minh - a successful son of Quynh Nghia in the capital - returned to his hometown to organize deer breeding training for the people and asked the commune for 50 hectares of land to build a deer antler farm. The commune also agreed but the project has not yet been implemented.
Up to now, the output for deer in Quynh Luu is still completely dependent on private traders. Deer are potential livestock, the strength of the district. For the deer farming industry in Quynh Luu to develop sustainably, it is time for authorities at all levels to actively intervene; first of all, they must correctly recognize the value and development direction of the industry, from which they can have appropriate policies to promote the development of deer farming.
Cong Sang
