Que Phong: Developing the Quy Chau duck brand

(Baonghean)- At the end of 2010, the World Bank (WB) decided to finance 40% of the capital for the Agricultural Competitiveness Project to establish the Quy Chau Duck Breeding Development Alliance in Que Phong district. In June 2011, the Alliance was officially launched. To date, 96% of Thai ethnic households participating in the Alliance have been provided with breeds and food; the duck flock is growing well.

Quy Chau duck is known as a branded product of the Northwest region of Nghe An thanks to its delicious meat quality. Recently, people have switched to raising grass ducks and super-egg ducks. Therefore, preserving and developing the purebred Quy Chau duck brand is not only a concern of the authorities of the two districts of Quy Chau and Que Phong but also a common concern of the livestock industry of the province. The project was initially implemented in Thai ethnic families in Tien Phong commune (90 households) and Que Son commune (10 households). These 100 families will be supported with 40% of the initial costs including the cost of breeds, barns, and feed within 2 years (4 batches of breeds, 200 breeds/batch). The Quy Chau duck production alliance operates according to the 4-house formula: State - scientists - enterprises - farmers, with Dieu Chau Private Enterprise located in Tien Phong commune supplying breeds, feed, providing technical guidance on raising and consuming products.

The Quy duck flock of households in Que Phong promises to bring
high economic efficiency

With the new farming method, after 3.5 months, the ducks reach a weight of 2 - 2.5 kg. Mr. Lo Van Cuoc's family in Tien Phong commune happily said: "My family has been raising 200 ducks for nearly 2 months. Seeing that the ducks grow quickly, we feed them with extra rice and build a duck watchtower on the Nam Nien River. After selling the first batch of ducks, I will continue to invest in buying more ducks to raise." Mr. Thai Dieu, Director of Dieu Chau private enterprise, said: "Although the project has only been officially implemented for more than 3 months, the ducks are growing very well. Next week, we will have the first batch to sell. Many traders from the lowlands have come to ask about consuming the products. After having the first product, we will apply for a clean product trademark to find a place in supermarkets and in the market."

Mr. Tran Quoc Thanh, Secretary of Que Phong District Party Committee, said: "In order for the Alliance to survive and operate well after the WB's support ends, the district is planning to deduct 40-50% of the profits of households on each sale to create a common account to promote the development of the Alliance, in order to develop the Quy duck brand."

Vo Van Dung