Secrets to safe livestock farming amid African swine fever outbreak

Mr. Tran Van Son, Dong Bien village, Dan Hai commune, has been raising pigs for many years. Since August 2024, he has made a breakthrough, switching from traditional farming to organic, biosafety farming in association with Que Lam Group Joint Stock Company.

After more than 1 year, his farming model has 8 sows and always has a stable number of commercial pigs from 100 to nearly 200. It is worth mentioning that currently, while many farming households are struggling because of African swine fever, his model is still absolutely safe.

From traditional farming, Mr. Tran Van Son has switched to organic pig farming in association with Que Lam.

Mr. Son shared: "In recent years, traditional livestock farming has always faced risks due to epidemics, I was determined to change the way. I participated in a training course at Que Lam Group ( Hue City) on building a pig farming model in the direction of 4F organic bio-safety (farm - farm; food - food; feed - animal feed and Fertilizer - fertilizer).

The barns are naturally structured, “warm in winter, cool in summer”, each barn is equipped with a bio-bedding cell, automatic feeding and drinking troughs. The feed is supplemented with probiotics, which not only increases efficiency, provides high quality meat but also increases immunity and fights against some pathogens in livestock. In addition, the barns are treated with bio-bedding to ensure the environment, and the misting system combines with the spraying of probiotics to cover against the invasion of pathogens. This has helped the model have a solid “barrier” to protect the pig herd from epidemics, especially the African swine fever epidemic that is spreading complicatedly today.

Mr. Son installed an automatic system and surveillance cameras to closely monitor the livestock situation.

To improve production efficiency and ensure hygiene and disease safety, Mr. Tran Van Son has upgraded and invested in a synchronous air conditioning system, stabilized temperature; divided breeding areas into sow barns and commercial barns; and installed a sound system so that pigs can listen to relaxing music.

He planted bananas as a green fence to better isolate the barn, and at the same time, he took advantage of the additional nutritious green food for the livestock. In the near future, he will continue to sell 2 more batches of commercial pigs of about 60-70 pigs at a price of 65,000 VND/kg according to the group's commitment.

Although the livestock model is small, Ms. Nguyen Thi Chien, Huu Ninh village (Mai Phu commune) always strictly follows the technical livestock farming process according to the commitment with the enterprise.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Chien (Huu Ninh village, Mai Phu commune) is the first person in Loc Ha district (old) to apply the biosafety organic pig farming model in association with Que Lam Group since 2021. Up to now, her family's farm has always been stable, with no outbreaks of disease.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Chien shared: “Since participating in the organic pig farming model in association with Que Lam Group, I have been trained and fully equipped with knowledge about techniques, farming processes and disease prevention. The Group supports breeds, provides feed, supervises technical processes and consumes all output products. Thanks to the closed process from breeds, feed sources to consumption, the pigs do not come into contact with the outside environment, minimizing the risk of pathogen infection. Livestock waste is processed into fertilizer for crops, while also providing a source of green food for pigs, creating a safe and sustainable biological cycle. Organic food helps pork to be naturally fragrant and delicious, ensuring safety for consumers. In April 2025, I just re-herded 8 pigs, although the scale is small, I still strictly follow the technical process: soaking and fermenting microbial feed for 36 hours before feeding, cleaning the barn daily to keep it clean and airy.”

Currently, the rainy and humid weather combined with the spread of African swine fever, Ms. Chien must improve her disease prevention regime. Every day, she must comply with hygiene, clean the barn, spread microorganisms to treat waste and keep the barn floor dry and airy; provide enough food for the livestock according to the correct process (sows from 1.8 - 2 kg of food/day; piglets from 7 - 8 g of food/day), supplement green food, herbs in the home garden; completely isolate from strangers...

Que Lam Group cooperated with the National Agricultural Extension Center and the Department of Agriculture and Environment to train farmers on biosafety and circular livestock farming solutions.

Implementing the province's policy on developing organic agriculture, Que Lam Group Joint Stock Company has coordinated and accompanied localities to build a model of organic and circular farming and livestock farming. Up to now, the group has signed a memorandum of cooperation on organic agricultural production and circular value chain of Que Lam with 62/69 communes and wards, affirming high efficiency.

Regarding livestock farming, the total number of sows in the province is 250, with over 2,500 pigs regularly raised in barns, and thousands of cattle and poultry of all kinds. All models apply a unified 4F farming process and ensure the principle of 5 "no" (no lean meat additives, no colorants, no growth promoters, no antibiotics, no preservatives). At the same time, regular attention is paid to training and coaching to raise farmers' awareness of organic agriculture, and to update and foster knowledge for people to apply and raise livestock more sustainably and effectively.

In addition, the group also expanded the organic farming area with more than 400 hectares of DT39 rice and many crops such as watermelon, Phuc Trach grapefruit, dragon fruit, purple star apple, soybeans and peanuts.

In rainy weather, people add more green food to help livestock have more nutrients and better resistance to disease.

The branch regularly strengthens inspections of compliance with biosafety organic pig farming processes, maintains biological bedding, and keeps diaries at farming households. Every month, we organize direct inspections, and at the same time guide and advise people on how to take care of their livestock. During the changing seasons, when the weather is sensitive to diseases, technical staff recommend that people supplement vegetable and banana feed, install insect screens, and use disease prevention measures such as: spraying disinfectants, lime water tanks, planting herbs in the farming area... Up to this point, 100% of livestock in models associated with the group are safe from African swine fever.
Along with focusing on developing the livestock ecosystem, the branch also expanded the system of product consumption stores, diversifying the components of organic agricultural business organizations. Currently, pork products consumed in stores reach 70 - 80 heads/month, an increase of about 20 heads/month compared to the beginning of the second quarter of 2025, creating income and maintaining stable production for farmers.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Huong - representative of Que Lam Ha Tinh branch

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/bi-quyet-chan-nuoi-an-toan-giua-dich-ta-lon-chau-phi-hoanh-hanh-post298272.html