Opening a path out of poverty through goat farming.

The model of raising Boon hybrid goats is a collaborative effort of Ms. Trieu Huyen Thuong's family in Thach Ngoa 2 village, Thuong Minh commune.

This is the goat farming model of Ms. Trieu Huyen Thuong's family in Thach Ngoa 2 village, Thuong Minh commune.

In Thach Ngoa 2 village, the family of Ms. Trieu Huyen Thuong is one of the pioneering households. They have two sturdy, clean goat pens housing 30 healthy Boon hybrid goats.

Unlike the local goats that are usually left to roam freely on the hillsides, Ms. Thuong raises hybrid goats using a semi-industrial, confined method, making it easier to control diseases and ensuring rapid weight gain. “Many people already raise local goats. I’m trying a new approach: raising hybrid goats through a cooperative. The Ta Anh Cooperative guarantees the purchase of the product, so I feel very secure,” she shared.

Meanwhile, in Na Phieng village, Mr. La Van Quyet remains committed to raising the traditional native goat breed, an animal that has long been associated with the people of the highlands. For him, it is the "easiest" animal to raise among all livestock and poultry.

“Raising goats is less strenuous than raising pigs or chickens. Goats are omnivorous, so we can just use the leaves and weeds around the house. Goats are less prone to disease and grow quickly. We buy goat kids weighing 15-20kg, raise them for about three or four months, and they reach over 30kg to sell. Thanks to a stable market, each batch of goats sold provides a reliable income for the family,” Mr. Quyet said.

In fact, goat farming is particularly well-suited to the ecological conditions of Thuong Minh. The vast forest and hill areas, along with abundant natural food sources, help farmers significantly reduce feed costs.

Goats are hardy animals, resistant to disease, and reproduce quickly, thus posing a much lower risk compared to raising other livestock. Currently, the price of live goats is stable at 120,000 - 140,000 VND/kg, becoming a significant source of income for many households.

The goat farming model of Mr. La Van Quyet's family in Na Phieng village.

Not stopping at household-based goat farming, Thuong Minh now has two cooperatives that organize goat farming in collaboration with many households. The participation of the cooperatives helps to form a closed production chain: from providing breeding stock, guiding techniques, controlling the care process to guaranteeing the output.

Mr. Ma Hoang Ta, Director of Ta Anh Cooperative, said: "Thanks to funding from the National Target Program for Poverty Reduction, the cooperative received support in accessing capital and implementing a project to raise Bach Thao and Boon goats. The cooperative has established links with 10 households, including poor, near-poor, and newly-escaped-from-poverty households. To date, the goat herd is thriving, maintaining a total of over 200 animals, bringing in significant income. When farmers are confident in the market for their products, they will confidently expand their herds, while the cooperative ensures product standards and quality."

The shift in production mindset is gradually shaping a new face for the agricultural economy in Thuong Minh. With its abundant natural potential, coupled with the effectively operating cooperative model, goat farming is considered a suitable and sustainable direction.

This will be a crucial pillar in the commune's agricultural economic development goals, creating sustainable livelihoods and contributing to giving the people of Thuong Minh confidence on their journey out of poverty.

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