From mainly self-sufficient livestock farming, after 50 years of liberating the South and unifying the country, the livestock industry in Tien Giang province has grown remarkably, gradually shifting from small-scale livestock farming to farm-scale, concentrated, applying science and technology and being environmentally friendly.
The industry's half-century journey is not only marked by impressive numbers, but also a vivid testament to the innovative thinking and aspiration for sustainable development of the people of Tien Giang .
FROM SELF-SUPPLY TO LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION
In the early stages after liberation, livestock farming in Tien Giang was still fragmented, heavily dependent on weather, natural food and traditional techniques. Most households raised livestock mainly for family needs; productivity and product quality were still low; there were no conditions to invest in infrastructure and barns.
A model of high-tech livestock farming in Tien Giang province. Photo provided by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. |
The breeds are mainly local breeds, slow growing, susceptible to diseases and low productivity. However, with the close guidance of local authorities and support policies from the Central Government, the livestock industry in Tien Giang province has made strong changes. Especially since around 2000, the province has promoted the transformation of production models, encouraged livestock farming towards concentrated farms, applied high technology, gradually built brands, increased added value and ensured food safety.
According to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Tien Giang province, by mid-2025, the livestock industry of Tien Giang province has achieved many proud achievements and risen to the top of the region. Accordingly, the pig herd is nearly 310 thousand heads, ranking second in the Mekong Delta (after Ben Tre province), the rate of farm raising is 27.38% of the total herd. The cow herd is about 119 thousand heads, maintained stable for many consecutive years; semi-industrial and organic cattle raising models are increasingly expanding.
The goat herd reached over 130 thousand, continuing to rank second in the region (after Ben Tre province); the trend of raising goats on farms, under control, is spreading in many localities. The poultry herd recorded 17.8 million, leading the Mekong Delta and ranking second in the South (after Dong Nai province); the rate of farm raising accounted for 62% of the total herd. In particular, some specialty poultry products such as black chicken, bantam chicken, quail... have become key commodities, not only consumed domestically but also exported.
Just for black chicken eggs alone, Tien Giang produces over 360 million eggs each year, the output of bantam chickens reaches over 6.7 million/year and quail eggs have been exported since 2013, marking a turning point in bringing Tien Giang livestock products to the world.
In addition, the diversification of the livestock industry has brought about many positive results; in which, the attraction of raising swiftlets has become a new field with great potential. From 199 swiftlet houses in 2011, by mid-2025, Tien Giang had 1,782 swiftlet houses, of which 1,216 were in the exploitation stage. Thanks to favorable natural conditions and appropriate support policies, Tien Giang has risen to second place in the country in the development of swiftlet houses (after Kien Giang province).
Notably, Tien Giang bird's nest products have been officially exported to China through two enterprises: Tri Son Trading and Service Company Limited (My Tho City) and Tan Dong Agricultural Products Company Limited (Go Cong City). This is the result of a systematic investment process, strict quality management and clear market orientation.
DIFFICULTY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFORM
Sharing with us, Deputy Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Tien Giang province, Ho Huynh Mai, said: “Over the past 50 years, the province's livestock industry has faced many challenges, such as: price fluctuations, complex epidemics, along with the impact of climate change and environmental pollution in livestock farming...
A model of high-tech livestock farming in Tien Giang province. Photo provided by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. |
However, the challenge is an opportunity for the livestock industry in Tien Giang province to break through, promote its potential and advantages to develop comprehensively, effectively, sustainably and adapt to climate change, linked to production - consumption chains, increase added value, apply science - technology, ensure biosafety, disease and food safety to suit the market economy and international integration through the export of livestock products (quail eggs, bird's nests...)".
Therefore, in the face of difficulties and opportunities, the top priority for the development of the livestock industry is to innovate thinking, reorganize production and apply science and technology. Also from these pressures, the industry has constantly made efforts to promote production - consumption linkage, build a biosafety livestock value chain, apply science and technology to all stages from breeding, feed, raising to slaughtering, processing and consuming products.
In addition, people boldly develop new economic models with high efficiency such as the model of "Application of mechanization in egg-laying chicken farming"; the model of Applying chicken farming process according to VietGAP standards, applying chicken farming system in cold cages, designed with full equipment in modern industrial farming...
In addition, livestock farming in the current period must adapt to climate change and international integration, ensure food safety and meet the requirements of both domestic and international markets. This is clearly demonstrated through the following models: Antibiotic-free livestock farming, oriented towards export (quail eggs exported to Japan); livestock farming according to VietGAP, organic, associated with OCOP and disease safety; applying high technology in farms, controlling the environment and improving productivity.
These orientations not only help Tien Giang maintain its position as one of the leading livestock centers in the region, but also open up opportunities to reach out to the international market with clean, high-quality products, traceable in origin and with clear brands.
50 years is a long journey, long enough to look back on a journey full of effort and creativity. Tien Giang’s livestock industry today is no longer the image of small-scale, fragmented livestock farming of the early years after liberation, but a spearhead, modern, sustainable and promising economic sector.
Tien Giang livestock industry is a living proof of the locality’s innovation and determination in developing modern agriculture. With the support of the people, businesses and the government, and the foundation built over the past half century, Tien Giang’s livestock industry has the foundation to continue on the journey of green - clean - safe development and international integration.
FRIENDLY
(to be continued)
Source: https://baoapbac.vn/kinh-te/202506/nganh-chan-nuoi-huong-phat-trien-ben-vung-than-thien-voi-moi-truong-bai-1-phat-trien-vuot-bac-1046105/
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