Raising livestock brings both joy and worry.

Despite numerous challenges, the livestock sector in the province recorded positive figures in the first five months of the year, affirming its pivotal role in the province's agricultural economic development. However, behind this growth momentum, there are still concerns and "bottlenecks" that need to be addressed for the sector's sustainable development.

This is a model of semi-industrial cattle farming practiced by people in Tan Nguyen commune, Yen Binh district.

In the province's agricultural economic structure, livestock farming has long played a key role, creating sustainable livelihoods for tens of thousands of households. Despite market fluctuations, diseases, and natural disasters, Yen Bai's livestock industry has maintained stable development. A clear example is that in the first five months of the year, the province's total main livestock population reached nearly 900,000 head, an increase of 7.5% compared to the same period last year; the total poultry population reached nearly 7.8 million head, an increase of 4%. Along with the increase in herd size, the output of live meat for slaughter also increased sharply, estimated at 41,150 tons, reaching 47.3% of the annual plan, an increase of 19.8% compared to the same period.

One of the highlights of the livestock industry is the development of local specialty products. Native breeds such as highland black chickens, native pigs, and Muscovy ducks have achieved a relatively high rate compared to the plan, not only contributing to increasing product value but also affirming the right direction in creating a competitive advantage.

Mr. Ninh Tran Phuong, Deputy Head of the Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries Department of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized: "Focusing on developing local specialty livestock breeds not only helps diversify products but also creates a unique competitive advantage for livestock farming. This is the direction we will continue to encourage and support to enhance the economic value for farmers, while preserving the valuable local genetic resources."

The fisheries sector also recorded positive signs. The entire province maintained and effectively developed 2,320 fish cages (exceeding the plan by 0.9%). Aquaculture seed production grew well, especially with the shift towards semi-intensive and intensive farming of high-value specialty aquatic species such as snakehead fish, American catfish, spiny softshell turtle, and cold-water fish. The fisheries potential of Thac Ba Lake is also being promoted and exploited in conjunction with tourism .

These results would not have been possible without the supportive role of policies and the close guidance of all levels of government. In particular, the support policies under Resolution No. 69 and Resolution No. 05 of the Provincial People's Council have been effectively implemented.

A prime example is the project to develop production linkages along the value chain, connecting production with consumption of Hoa Cuong hill chickens in Tran Yen district, contributing to stabilizing the output for high-quality products.

The province has also supported the development of 450 livestock farms focusing on specialty and organic products; of which, 176 farms have been inspected and approved, and 121 farms have received disbursed funds totaling nearly 2.9 billion VND.

Efforts to improve the cattle herd have been prioritized, with three buffalo and cattle breeding cooperatives receiving support for artificial insemination. Simultaneously, disease prevention and control measures have been implemented rigorously, with timely distribution of vaccines and disinfectants.

However, amidst the bright picture of the province's livestock industry, there are still some dark spots and "bottlenecks" that require focused efforts to resolve. The biggest and most persistent worry remains the "ghost" of disease outbreaks. The resurgence of African swine fever in Tram Tau in May showed that the pathogen is still circulating and the risk of spread is high.

Specifically, from early April to mid-May 2025, the disease occurred in 13 livestock households in the two villages of Ta Ghenh and Hang Tay (Pa Lau commune), with 47 pigs infected, 27 dead, and over 1 ton of pigs culled. Although the authorities responded promptly, completely eradicating the disease remains a major challenge – mainly due to the characteristics of small-scale, scattered livestock farming in the highlands, where conditions for implementing biosecurity measures are limited. The vaccination rate for pigs is also not high.

Furthermore, the shortage of qualified veterinary staff at the commune level, the lack of dedicated fisheries personnel in the districts, and inadequate infrastructure such as the absence of centralized slaughterhouses have significantly impacted disease control and product quality. From a market perspective, Yen Bai still lacks large enterprises involved in the procurement, processing, and distribution of products, especially in the fisheries sector.

To address these "bottlenecks," the province needs to focus on disease prevention and control, especially strengthening surveillance, vaccination, and raising public awareness of biosafety. Simultaneously, it should promote the transformation of livestock farming models from small-scale to large-scale farms applying advanced technology, aiming for safety, organic farming, and environmental friendliness. Investment in the construction of centralized slaughtering and processing facilities should also be prioritized to increase the added value of products. Alongside this, supplementing specialized human resources and promoting digital transformation will help improve management efficiency, traceability, and increase the competitiveness of the livestock industry in the new era.

The livestock sector has made significant progress, contributing positively to the province's economic growth in the first months of 2025. However, for sustainable development and to fully exploit its potential, a coordinated effort from the government, businesses, and people is needed to definitively resolve existing bottlenecks, especially in disease prevention and control and enhancing product value – key factors for livestock farming to truly become a driving force for agricultural economic development.

Thong Nguyen

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/351002/Chan-nuoi-hai-be-vui--lo.aspx