Strategic Management: Livestock Sector in Vietnam

1. Overview

Water, dirt, and air pollution are also caused by livestock waste. Only about 60% of animal waste is processed, according to estimates; the rest is dumped directly into the atmosphere (that is, dumping on land, fishponds, canals, rivers, and so on). When stored wastes exceed the carrying ability of local receiving land or water sources, untreated wastes pollute the earth, surface water, and groundwater, as well as the air quality of those regions. Pollution hotspots from livestock waste So far, the regions with the greatest density of farm animals have become the most highly contaminated. Some badly polluted livestock communes have recently been mentioned in the public media; Ngoc Luc commune of Binh Luc District in Hanam Province was one of them. This commune is located in the RRD (Red River Delta)— the region with the highest pig-farming density in Vietnam.

Animal waste from dairy farms that are disposed of on agricultural land without an appropriate nutrient management plan results in overfertilization of the soil, chemical runoff, and contaminant leaching, according to a few studies in Vietnam. As a result, the surrounding water system is at risk, and drinking water supplies can be impacted. Pollution Pigs excrete 70–90% of the phosphorus, minerals (P, potassium, magnesium, and so on), and heavy metals in their feed. The waste and effluents from agriculture concentrate the excreted nutrients and heavy metals. Animal waste that is deposited directly on the field without being treated pollutes the collecting soils. Land in and around heavily inhabited pig farms has been shown to be polluted by agricultural wastes to varying degrees, according to observations. caused by extensive pig farming is well-known. Pigs excrete about 70–90 percent of the nitrogen, minerals (P, potassium, magnesium, and so on), and heavy metals present in feed. The excreted nutrients and heavy metals concentrations in the manure and effluents from the farms. Direct discharge of animal wastes on soil without prior treatment pollutes the receiving soils. Observations show that land in and near densely populated pig farms is contaminated by livestock wastes to various degrees.

*Constraints in adopting better livestock waste management

Livestock producers face a number of challenges as they transition from smallholder to intensive and large-scale livestock systems, including limited knowledge and skills in management practices, such as disease and waste management, limited land available for expanding livestock-raising areas, and waste treatment, and limited access to credit. Due to these limitations, it is extremely likely that farmers would abandon waste disposal and management practices in order to divert their limited private capital to other economic endeavors.

Production size, agricultural and other land supply, access to extension programs, income levels, and family labor availability are all factors that influence farmers' acceptance of improved animal waste management practices.

Biogas digesters can necessitate the highest level of capital outlay. Composting and fishponds, for example, need less money. Regardless of manure disposal techniques, engaging in environmental conservation is an unnecessary expense that, at least in the near term, would lift production prices and decrease farming income. Many farmers just seek to delay animal waste disposal to cut their maintenance costs as much as possible in the face of lax environmental regulation at the state level.

Incentives for bettering animal waste control are lacking. In the domestic market, the demand for organic fertilizers is still poor. This is partly because of the convenience of using inorganic fertilizers and the high cost

2. Policies and regulations on livestock waste management

The Environmental Conservation Laws were enacted in 2005, specifically specifying the environmental duties and liabilities of corporations, families, and individuals. MARD also created the Department of Livestock Production (DLP) in 2005, with the primary mission of monitoring national livestock production and environmental issues related to livestock production, such as livestock waste management. The government released a decree a year later that included comprehensive instructions on how to enforce the Environmental Protection Laws. Large-scale livestock farms with more than 1,000 animals or 20,000 poultry birds are expected to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) prior to their creation, according to these legal documents, to ensure that they can properly mitigate environmental emissions. Smallholder farmers must plan and submit an Environmental Conservation Pledge report, which is a condensed version of an EIA report. If approved, the Environmental Protection Commitment report is filed with the District People's Committee or the Commune People's Committee.

3. Technologies locally available to manage livestock wastes

System of the garden, pond, and livestock (Vuon-Ao-Chuong [VAC] in Vietnamese): In Vietnam, the VAC method applies to the incorporation of the greenhouse, animals, and fishpond. Families are in charge of this interconnected farming scheme. Pond water is used to irrigate the garden, pond mud is removed annually and used as a fertilizer for fruit trees, and animal manure is used as a fertilizer for crops and fish feed.

Composting: This is the most basic science, in which fertilizer and wastes are combined with shredded plant matter. Compost is used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture because it is nutrient-dense. Compost is useful to the ecosystem in a number of respects, including as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. Compost is useful for flood control, soil and stream reclamation, and landfill cover in wetlands.

Bio-mats: To mitigate noise, it is also known as bio-bedding. This is a cutting-edge technique that employs organic materials to capture liquid waste and bacteria to ferment manure while reducing odor and emission. Rice husks, sawdust, coconut fiber, and fermenting bacteria are all popular bedding materials in pig and poultry farming. Farmers do not have to vacuum the housing facility on a regular basis with this equipment. This helps to save time and money.

Biogas is the most popular technology in rural areas that helps mitigate environmental problems caused by animal wastes and converts waste into energy for home consumption. In fact, biogas digesters have been used in Vietnam for several decades, but in the past 10 years, the technology developed more strongly owing to the government’s financial assistance programs providing incentives for more farmers to adopt this technology. In 2009, the government granted up to 25 percent of the cost for the construction of a new biogas digester, then reduced it to 10 percent in 2011 and 2012.

Hoang Tu Anh

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References

• Vietnamnews (2021). "Livestock industry targets production growth of 6 percent". Retrieved from https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/853923/livestock-industry-targets-production-growth-of-6-per-cent.html

• World Bank (2017). "An Overview of Agricultural Pollution in Vietnam: The Livestock Sector". Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/29244/122935-Vietnam-livestock-VN.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y