The CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity (SAPLING) has supported eight livestock farmer groups in Son La Province of Vietnam since 2023 as part of efforts to transform the region’s livestock sector. This support, running until the end of 2024, includes providing access to input and output markets, being a forum for capacity development, and co-designing solutions to pig and cattle farming issues. The farmer groups have seen significant benefits from this support, including improved access to technical assistance, reasonable price offers from input suppliers, and increased connections to profitable markets, all of which have contributed to strengthening the livestock value chains in the region.
The initiative aims to strengthen the pig and cattle value chains. Its work is centered around five work packages: sustainable livestock productivity, safe and healthy consumption of livestock-derived foods, gender equity, competitive livestock value chains, and evidence-based decision-making. The farmer groups’ 120 members see the benefits of collaborating with SAPLING, including improved access to technical assistance, reasonable price offers from input suppliers, and increased connections to profitable markets.
The farmer groups’ eagerness to learn from other successful farmers’ organizations is a testament to their commitment. This commitment will surely inspire others to follow suit. The local authorities are also keen on adopting SAPLING’s farmer group models and learning how to manage the groups effectively once the initiative ends.
From 12–14 July 2024, SAPLING’s work package four on competitive livestock value chains organized a successful knowledge-sharing study tour. The tour, a key component of SAPLING’s knowledge-sharing strategy, included 51 participants representing farmer groups, artificial insemination service providers, and livestock traders. Also present were province, district, and commune representatives led by Cam Thi Khay, Mai Son District’s People’s Committee vice-president, responsible for livestock development strategy.
Tien Thanh Cooperative
Established in September 2017, the Tien Thanh Cooperative is a prime example of a successful model in the sustainable production of buffaloes, cattle, and pigs, the supply of animal feed, and the purchase of livestock products. Collaborating with 20 cooperatives and 10 production cooperative groups, Tien Thanh manages 5,000 animals, generating an average annual VND 250 million (approximately USD 10,000). The Tuyen Quang Provincial People’s Committee awarded their dried buffalo meat products a four-star OCOP (One Community, One Product) certificate, further highlighting the cooperative’s success in the livestock value chains.
Tien Thanh Cooperative has extended its market beyond domestic sales to include exports to countries such as Laos, Thailand and China, addressing the growing demand in neighbouring countries. They currently supply livestock to five provinces in China.
In addition, the cooperative has secured funding from national programs to develop livestock value chains. It supports projects in Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang provinces to aid in the production and consumption of beef products by Mong ethnic groups. These projects, funded by the state budget (about USD 200 000 per project), assist disadvantaged households as part of national poverty reduction and socio-economic development programs for ethnic minority areas.
Lessons learned
Participants saw first-hand the various stages of the livestock production chain, from farms to slaughterhouses and retail locations. Farmer groups obtained an overview of the livestock chain and identified the next steps to operate their groups efficiently and actively seek markets for their products. They learned the importance of developing links with different value chain actors to ensure successful operations. Mai Son District officials also identified new ways of supporting and integrating value chain linkage models into national programs to maximize available resources.
‘Based on Tien Thanh Cooperative’s experience in designing and running livestock value chains, Mai Son will enlist SAPLING’s help to advise local authorities on developing a roadmap from policy to end users,’ said Cam.
Follow-up actions
The 2021–2030 national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minorities and mountainous areas was approved by Vietnam’s prime minister according to Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg. Under this program, Mai Son District was allocated VND 19 billion (USD 0.7 million) for 2021–2025, but implementation has been challenging. After learning from Tien Thanh Cooperative, district leaders tasked the Agriculture Division to start community production development support projects in 22 communes as part of the program, focusing on developing livestock value chains.
District officials also proposed a joint workshop with SAPLING in November to review and share insights with local communities on how to develop successful livestock value chains. The outcomes of this event will be shared with officials and livestock farmers in other districts in Son La Province.
Looking ahead, SAPLING will continue supporting the development and implementation of a livestock strategy for the district (from 2026 to 2030), fostering hope and optimism for the future.
SAPLING is one of 32 CGIAR initiatives designed to achieve a world with sustainable and resilient food, land, and water systems. Its goal is to deliver more diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality within planetary and regional environmental boundaries. In Vietnam, one of its seven focus countries (others are Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Tanzania, and Uganda), the initiative is coordinated by ILRI and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.
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SAPLING support transforming livelihoods through livestock farmer groups in northwest Vietnam
