New directions in livelihood development for mountain people

QTO - The Van Pa pig breed is a native livestock that has long been associated with the Pa Ko and Van Kieu people in the province. In order to preserve rare genetic resources, open up a direction for sustainable livelihood development and the potential to build a local specialty brand, the Quang Tri Provincial Agricultural Extension Center is implementing the project "Building a model of raising native pigs (Van Pa pigs) associated with linking product consumption".

Restoring native pig breeds

The Van Pa pig breed of the Pa Ko and Van Kieu people has long been considered a rare genetic resource for livestock. Although this pig breed is small and grows slowly, it has good resistance, is easy to raise, and produces delicious, firm meat, which is popular with consumers. However, due to free-range farming practices and pressure from high-yield foreign pig breeds, the Van Pa pig is increasingly fading away and is at risk of being lost.

Faced with this situation, the Quang Tri Provincial Agricultural Extension Center has implemented the project "Building a model of raising indigenous pigs (Van Pa pigs) associated with linking product consumption" in the mountainous communes in the Southwest of the province. The project is implemented in the period 2025-2027 with the goal of building 6 demonstration models of raising indigenous pigs with a scale of 550 pigs to preserve, breed and develop the pig herd towards commodities.

The delegation of the National Agricultural Extension Center inspected the model in Tan Lap commune - Photo: T.HOA

In 2025, the center implemented 2 models in 3 communes including Tan Lap, Truong Son and Lao Bao, with the participation of 4 households. Mr. Ho Van Tung in Bu village, Tan Lap commune, said: My family was supported with 40 Van Pa pigs and technical guidance from the staff of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center. Previously, people often let the pigs roam free, the pigs found their own food, so the loss rate was high. Now, they are raised on biological bedding, using feed supplemented with probiotics, the pigs eat well, gain weight well, the barn is clean, and there is no more bad smell. The manure is processed into fertilizer for plants, which is very convenient.

Thanks to the application of biosafety farming methods, the pig herd has developed stably, with a survival rate of 100% and an average weight gain of 3.5 kg/pig/month. It is expected that after 8 months of raising, the weight will reach 30-35 kg/pig. Compared to traditional farming, the model helps reduce environmental pollution, limit diseases, and at the same time increase product value by ensuring food safety and hygiene.

According to Mr. Le Thanh Tung, an officer of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the highlight of the model is that it helps change people's thinking about raising pigs. Instead of letting pigs freely graze, causing pollution and potential disease, households now know how to raise pigs according to technical processes, have barns, vaccinate and treat waste on site. This is an important step in forming sustainable production habits.

Building the brand "Van Pa Quang Tri pig"

Not only stopping at restoring native livestock breeds, the project has opened up a direction for long-term economic development for ethnic minorities in mountainous areas. Van Pa pork products are currently highly appreciated by consumers for their unique flavor and safety. If organized to raise pigs according to the value chain, Van Pa pigs can completely become a branded specialty of Quang Tri province.

Mr. Tran Phuoc Cuong, Head of Lao Bao Commune Economic Department, said: Although the Van Pa native pig breed is easy to raise and adapts well, it takes a long time to raise and has low productivity, so people are not interested. However, with technical support, breeding stock and consumption links from the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, people have started to raise Van Pa pigs again. This is a positive signal, contributing to the restoration of traditional occupations and creating more stable livelihoods for people in the highlands.

Van Pa pigs have good resistance, are easy to raise and produce delicious meat - Photo: T.HOA

Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center Tran Thanh Hai said: Restoring and developing the Van Pa pig breed not only has the meaning of preserving rare genetic resources, but is also a practical solution to help people in mountainous areas increase their income. The Center is coordinating with local authorities to build a production and consumption chain for this native breed. We also hope to receive the attention of the province and locality to continue restoring and developing the native Van Pa pig breed, thereby aiming to build a geographical indication and build the brand "Van Pa Quang Tri pig". When there is a brand, the value of the product will increase, creating motivation for people to continue maintaining a sustainable model.

In the coming time, the center will continue to support 4 more models in localities; organize technical training; guide the use of microbiological products; and connect with businesses and cooperatives to consume products. The goal is to form a biosafety livestock area, gradually bringing Van Pa pork into the clean food chain and mountain specialty tourism .

The initial results from the project “Building a model for raising indigenous pigs in Van Pa” show the right direction in combining the conservation of valuable genetic resources with local economic development. With proper investment in technology, infrastructure and output, the Van Pa pig breed will not only revive in the Truong Son mountains and forests but can also become a typical specialty brand of Quang Tri province. With the support of the agricultural sector and local authorities, the model promises to achieve high economic efficiency and move towards building the brand “Van Pa Quang Tri pig”.

Thanh Hoa

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202511/huong-di-moi-trong-phat-trien-sinh-ke-cho-nguoi-dan-mien-nui-fef3c2c/