Que Phong: Developing the Quy Chau Muscovy 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 Muscovy Duck Breeding Development Alliance in Que Phong district. In June 2011, the Alliance officially launched. To date, 96% of the Thai ethnic minority households participating in the Alliance have received breeding stock and feed; the duck flocks are developing well.

The Quy Chau Muscovy duck is known as a branded product of the Northwest region of Nghe An province thanks to its delicious meat quality. Recently, farmers have switched to raising native ducks and high-egg-laying ducks. Therefore, preserving and developing the purebred Quy Chau Muscovy duck brand is not only a concern for the authorities of Quy Chau and Que Phong districts but also a common concern for the province's livestock industry. The project is initially implemented in Thai ethnic minority families in Tien Phong commune (90 households) and Que Son commune (10 households). These 100 families will receive support covering 40% of the initial costs, including breeding stock, housing, and feed, for two years (4 batches of ducklings, 200 ducklings per batch). The Quy Chau Muscovy Duck Production Alliance operates according to the four-party formula: State - scientists - businesses - farmers, with Dieu Chau Private Enterprise, located in Tien Phong commune, supplying breeding stock, feed, providing technical guidance on raising, and guaranteeing product purchase.

The Quy breed of ducks raised by households in Que Phong promises to bring in profits.
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 excitedly shared: "My family has been raising 200 ducks for almost two months now. Seeing how quickly they grow, we've been feeding them extra rice and building a watchtower by the Nam Nien River. After selling the first batch, I will continue to invest in buying more ducks to raise." Mr. Thai Dieu, Director of the private enterprise Dieu Chau, said: "Although the project has only been officially implemented for more than three months, the ducks are developing very well. Next week we will have the first batch ready for sale. Many traders from the lowlands have come to inquire about purchasing the product. After having our first product, we will proceed to apply for a clean product brand to find a place in supermarkets and the wider market."

Mr. Tran Quoc Thanh, Secretary of the Que Phong District Party Committee, said: "In order for the Alliance to survive and operate well after the World Bank's support ends, the district is planning to allocate 40-50% of the profits of households from each batch of ducks sold to a common account to promote the development of the Alliance, aiming to develop the Quy breed duck brand."

Vo Van Dung