Dong Nai effectively relocates livestock facilities

As the country’s “livestock capital,” Dong Nai once faced major challenges with environmental pollution caused by farming activities. In response, the agricultural sector, together with local authorities, has implemented comprehensive measures to effectively carry out Resolution No. 03/2021/NQ-HDND of the provincial People’s Council, which stipulates zones where livestock farming is prohibited, designated areas for swiftlet farming, and support policies for the relocation of livestock facilities out of restricted areas in Dong Nai.

Duck farm in Long Phuoc Commune, Dong Nai Province. Photo Binh Nguyen

The relocation of livestock farms from restricted areas is a strategic move for long-term socio-economic development, particularly in implementing green economy and ecological agriculture in the province’s new development phase.

 Impressive results

Among these efforts, localities have stepped up communication among livestock households, especially small-scale farms, regarding the province’s policies and support mechanisms for relocating livestock facilities out of prohibited zones. Thanks to this, the program has gained strong consensus among livestock operators.

As a result, by March 2025, 2,464 out of 2,981 livestock facilities had either been relocated or ceased operations, reaching 81.97% of the target set for completion by December 31, 2025. Of these, 99.67% were cases of ceasing livestock activities.

Specifically, all wards and communes in the former Bien Hoa City had already ceased livestock operations before Resolution No. 03 was issued. In the former Long Khanh City, all wards in the restricted zones successfully completed relocation or cessation. Meanwhile, 584 facilities in the townlets of former districts have been relocated or ceased operations, leaving 139 facilities still active, mostly on a small scale.

For existing residential areas, the province has relocated or shut down 1,593 livestock facilities, with 319 facilities still in operation. In residential zones designated under approved urban planning and development schemes, 95 facilities have been relocated or shut down, leaving 20 facilities still active. Additionally, in other designated planning areas, 108 facilities were subject to relocation; of these, 84 have already been relocated or shut down, while 24 facilities remain in operation. The relocation of livestock facilities from prohibited areas has also received broad consensus from farmers.

Nguyen Tri Cong, Chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association, said: “To date, all farms failing to meet environmental standards have been either relocated or ceased operations. The remaining few farms subject to relocation are located in planned residential zones that are not yet densely populated; some of these farms are newly established and have not recovered their initial investment, so farmers hope for a more flexible relocation timeline. The Dong Nai Livestock Association also expressed its wish that the province introduce new livestock zoning plans, with support in identifying suitable areas and creating favorable conditions to attract investment in livestock farming within these newly designated zones.

 Environmental protection in livestock farming

During the relocation of livestock farms, localities have faced many difficulties and challenges such as: Most workers at these farms are older and rely mainly on livestock farming for income, so stopping production and shifting to other occupations remains difficult. Some farms had taken bank loans to build barns, purchase breeding stock, or lease facilities to companies for farming, but they have yet to recover enough capital to repay the loans. Meanwhile, current relocation support policies remain modest, while investing in land and building new farms requires significant capital.

However, with the shared goal of protecting the environment from pollution caused by livestock activities, localities across the province are determined to successfully relocate farms out of prohibited areas.

According to Bui Van Diep, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dau Giay Commune, former Thong Nhat District, 74 livestock farms were subject to relocation. To date, 68 farms have ceased operations, reaching a rate of 91.9%. Specifically in Dau Giay Commune, 42 out of 43 farms have stopped farming, while one household has reduced its scale, achieving 97%. After the merger, Dau Giay Commune still maintains a large livestock population with over 9,400 pigs, 371,000 poultry, as well as cattle and goats.

According to Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee, the implementation of Resolution No. 03/2021/NQ-HDND on relocating livestock farms out of prohibited areas in Dong Nai has achieved impressive results, reflecting the efforts of the entire political system as well as the consensus and shared responsibility of livestock farmers. In the coming time, she requested the Department of Agriculture and Environment to continue strengthening inspections and strictly handling violations of environmental regulations in livestock farming. At the same time, attention should be given to providing support and creating favorable conditions to encourage livestock development towards closed-loop, high-tech investment that ensures environmental protection.

Bui Van Diep emphasized: The strong and consistent direction of the Party Committee and the Commune People’s Committee has enabled livestock farms in the area to strictly comply with environmental protection requirements and the relocation of households from prohibited farming zones.

In 2024 alone, the former Thong Nhat District People’s Committee imposed fines totaling over VND 300 million on livestock farms violating environmental regulations. In the coming time, the locality will continue strengthening inspections of facilities showing signs of illegal waste discharge, strictly handle violations, require violators to remedy the consequences, and compile a list of violating farms to be subject to relocation.

Sharing the same view, Doan Van Liem, Vice Chairman of Cam My Commune People’s Committee, said: Livestock farming remains the main source of income for many households in the locality, especially in areas where urban development is limited, industrial zones have yet to form, and commerce and services are still underdeveloped. Under such socio-economic conditions, it is difficult to provide alternative employment opportunities for residents once livestock farming ceases. Most livestock facilities subject to relocation lack capital to purchase land and invest in farming infrastructure at new sites. In addition, workers at these facilities are mostly elderly, relying heavily on livestock farming for income. However, with determination to protect the environment from pollution caused by farming activities, local authorities will continue to strengthen inspections, coupled with communication and mobilization efforts, to relocate livestock facilities from prohibited areas. The locality will also strictly handle the breeding facilities that violate farming and environmental regulations.

By Binh Nguyen - Translated by Thu Cuc, Thu Ha