Green direction from biological farming

In the context that the livestock industry is facing many risks from epidemics, environmental pollution and increasing pressure on food safety, innovating production methods towards safety and sustainability has become an inevitable trend.

From small-scale production to sustainable cooperation model

At Dong Tam Livestock and Service Cooperative, Kieu Phu commune is one of the pioneers applying the biological pig farming model according to a closed chain. Not only creating a clean food source with traceable origin, the model also helps increase income for people, minimize environmental impact and is gradually asserting its position in the market.

Previously, livestock farmers in Kieu Phu mainly produced spontaneously, overusing antibiotics and veterinary drugs, leading to high costs but low efficiency, and at the same time posing many potential environmental risks. When African swine fever broke out in 2018-2019, many households suffered great losses and had to "hang up their barns" or quit their jobs.

The organic farming model not only helps increase people's income but also minimizes environmental impact. Photo: PV

In that situation, a number of households joined together to form Dong Tam Cooperative with the desire to change the way of doing things. Initially, only a few households participated, but thanks to the obvious effectiveness, the model has grown to 15 members, managing 120 breeding sows and more than 1,300 commercial pigs.

Director of Dong Tam Livestock and Service Cooperative Nguyen Dinh Tuong said: “If we do not change our farming methods, we will not be able to survive the epidemic and compete in the market. Organic farming is the right path and also the long-term direction.”

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tuong also said that the difference of the model is the self-sufficiency of biological food sources. Corn, rice bran, and soybeans are mixed with natural probiotics to help increase the ability to absorb nutrients, reduce intestinal diseases, and almost no odor. The entire barn is equipped with an air extraction system and waste collection system to process into organic fertilizer.

Compared to traditional farming, this model helps reduce veterinary medicine costs by 30-40%, limiting the risk of disease spreading. The new model also reduces odors and toxic gases, without causing pollution to the surrounding area. In particular, the quality of the meat is improved, firm, naturally fragrant, high lean meat ratio, no antibiotic residues.

Thanks to strict control over the process from breeding - feed - care - slaughter - distribution, the cooperative's pork products meet food hygiene and safety standards and can be fully traced to each production batch.

Improve economic and environmental efficiency

Not stopping at animal husbandry, Dong Tam Cooperative has built the brand "Quoc Oai Clean Pork" and participated in the city's OCOP program. The unit invested in modern slaughter, processing, and packaging areas, equipped with cold storage, vacuum machines, storage cabinets, and electronic scales, helping to keep products fresh and safe during transportation. On average, the cooperative supplies 3-5 commercial pigs to clean food stores, collective kitchens, schools, and restaurants in Hanoi every day. Revenue reaches more than 1 billion VND/year and continues to increase according to the market demand for safe food.

Organic pork is preserved and packaged in a modern way before being sold on the market. Photo: PV

According to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Dong Tam organic farming model brings many values; including creating stable jobs for local workers, reducing emissions and odors, and contributing to protecting the rural environment. The new model has helped the cooperative proactively manage output, limit the risk of price fluctuations, and meet the trend of consuming clean meat with traceable origins.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment Ta Van Tuong assessed that this is a modern and sustainable urban agricultural model. The city will continue to support its replication in suburban areas.

Director of Dong Tam Livestock and Service Cooperative Nguyen Dinh Tuong hopes to continue receiving preferential capital and trade promotion support to expand the scale and spread the model to more localities. In the coming time, the cooperative aims to apply digital technology in herd management; invest in automatic barns; develop deep-processed products, expand the market to supermarkets and clean food e-commerce platforms.

(Article in collaboration with Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment)

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/huong-di-xanh-tu-chan-nuoi-sinh-hoc-10394177.html