Transforming perceptions, livestock farming develops alongside tourism.

In Hai Phong, Nam Do Son ward is orienting its livestock farming towards a modern, sustainable approach, harmonizing with the development of tourism and services, to meet the requirements of a new seaport city.

Nam Do Son Ward, Hai Phong City, was established by merging the former wards of Minh Duc, Bang La, Hop Duc, and parts of Van Huong and Ngoc Xuyen. It has a large area and a large population (over 30,000 people). With its strategic location, the ward has strengths in coastal areas, tourism , and industrial development potential.

Raising buffalo for fighting in Nam Do Son ward. Photo: Dinh Muoi.

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Thao, Deputy Head of the Economic , Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of Nam Do Son Ward, stated that the ward is currently not within the scope of the "livestock farming ban" as stipulated in Resolution 20 of the city, meaning that residents are still allowed to raise livestock on their current scale.

"We also focus on guiding people to declare their livestock farming activities to the ward People's Committee according to regulations, ensuring transparent management and providing a basis for receiving support policies when needed," Mr. Thao shared.

However, the ward's development orientation is very clear: Focus on tourism, industry, and high-quality services to maximize the area's potential. This requires a new vision for the livestock sector, not simply "eliminating" it, but rather a planned and directed "transformation" so that livestock farming continues to exist but in a modern, sustainable way, harmonizing with other economic sectors.

Following the merger, the ward actively disseminated information to residents, emphasizing the importance of a green, clean, and beautiful coastal urban image for sustainable tourism development. Small-scale, polluting livestock farming within residential areas is no longer suitable for development goals. Therefore, the People's Committee of Nam Do Son ward is encouraging households to switch to more modern, technologically advanced farming models or relocate to more appropriately planned new rural areas.

Specifically, the ward is aiming to develop clean, controlled livestock farming models, even high-value specialty livestock farming, which can be combined with agricultural tourism or OCOP products. For example, developing landscaped livestock farms, educational farms, or clean aquaculture models linked to ecotourism.

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Thao - Deputy Head of the Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of Nam Do Son Ward, at a seminar on suburban livestock farming organized by the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper. Photo: Dinh Muoi.

To implement this "transformation," Nam Do Son ward is facing specific challenges. The main challenge is balancing the development of tourism and services with ensuring livelihoods for the people. However, when encouraging people to reduce livestock farming or switch to other activities, the biggest question is, "What will they do to make a living?"

According to Mr. Hoang Ngoc Thao, despite its tourism potential, not everyone can easily transition to working in the service industry. Therefore, the locality urgently needs more specific and practical vocational training and job placement programs, especially in professions that match the local strengths and the needs of the new labor market.

Next is the issue of land planning for modern livestock farming. To have small-scale, sustainable farm models, or those combined with tourism, suitable land is needed, separated from residential areas but still ensuring adequate infrastructure. Currently, this planning requires coordinated efforts from the city level down to the ward level.

Finally, there is the issue of support resources from higher levels. To implement policies supporting transformation and investing in waste treatment infrastructure, we urgently need financial attention and technical guidance from the Department of Fisheries, Livestock and Veterinary Medicine, as well as other relevant departments and agencies.

“To resolve these issues, Nam Do Son ward will proactively implement specific solutions tailored to local characteristics, such as: strengthening propaganda and awareness-raising efforts; proactively proposing policies to support livelihood transformation for residents; closely coordinating with the Sub-department and specialized units to develop model livestock farming projects; and finally, strengthening management, supervision, and handling of violations,” Mr. Hoang Ngoc Thao further shared.

Nam Do Son Ward, with its strategic location and great potential, is striving to become a shining example of harmonious development between tourism, services, and sustainable agriculture and livestock farming. Through transformation and modernization, livestock farming not only sustains livelihoods but also contributes to enriching tourism products, creating a unique brand for Nam Do Son within Hai Phong City.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/chuyen-doi-nhan-thuc-chan-nuoi-phat-trien-cung-du-lich-d789002.html