Exploiting advantages to develop industrial, modern livestock farming

Following the merger, Dong Nai Province has continued to maintain its position as the country's “livestock hub,” with pigs and chickens remaining the two primary livestock species, boasting the largest herds nationwide. In recent years, the province’s livestock sector has gradually shifted from small-scale farming to industrial-scale production with large commercial output and the application of high technology.

A high-tech farm raising chickens in stacked cages under a closed process in the cold farm of Long Thanh Phat High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative in Xuan Dong commune. Photo: Binh Nguyen

Taking advantage of this, the livestock sector continues to promote the application of science and technology, especially digital transformation, to develop on an industrial and modern scale. This undertaking is the foundation for the province’s livestock sector to continue increasing added value and integrating more deeply into global value chains.

Many development opportunities

Currently, the province’s pig herd reaches nearly 4.2 million, and the poultry herd reaches 35.9 million. In recent years, many livestock products have received OCOP (One Commune One Product) certification, gaining market recognition and contributing to the added value of livestock products.

In addition, other livestock species still have significant potential for development, contributing to overall growth in the livestock sector. Specifically, the province has over 3.6 million waterfowl, more than 190,000 goats, around 170,500 buffaloes and cattle. Notably, the province has about 3,000 swiftlet houses, ranking first in the Southeast region in both scale and output. This model is among the top in terms of economic efficiency.

According to the draft political report of the Provincial Party Committee submitted to the first congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term, the goal is to continue developing large-scale livestock areas with modern techniques while ensuring environmental protection. Dong Nai’s provincial plan for 2025-2030, with a vision to 2050, identifies the construction of high-tech agricultural zones with large-scale, modern livestock farming.

For the two main livestock species, pigs and chickens, farm-based production accounts for about 90% of the total herds. Livestock farming in the province is gradually shifting toward industrial-scale production with large output. Farms pay great attention to applying new, modern technologies in production.

Nguyen Truong Giang, Head of the Sub-Department of Livestock and Fisheries, assessed that after the merger, Dong Nai has large land resources and a geographic position connected to densely populated consumer markets, which is very favorable for livestock development. Especially, livestock farming in the province has developed on an industrial scale with large output, providing a competitive advantage. The province still has much potential for livestock development. However, for sustainable development, the sector needs to continue promoting the application of advanced technologies from breeding to farming processes. In particular, livestock farming must follow linked value chains to reduce costs and stabilize production.

Participating in global value chains

Currently, Dong Nai has two enterprises investing in processing and exporting chicken products. To strengthen livestock product exports, farms focus on applying scientific advances and practicing biosecure farming.

Since the beginning of the year, prices of live pigs, native chickens, and industrial broilers have remained stable at high levels, enabling the livestock sector to achieve strong growth. This feature creates favorable conditions for farmers to invest in high-tech applications in production confidently.

Long Thanh Phat High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative (Long Thanh commune) is a pioneer in the province in applying high-tech farming to raise chickens for export to the Japanese market. The cooperative has continuously invested in updating the most modern livestock technologies.

Le Van Quyet, director of Long Thanh Phat High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative, said the cooperative has recently invested in a modern farming model that raises chickens in stacked cages under a closed-loop system inside a climate-controlled facility. Chickens are housed in separate cages arranged in multiple tiers. Beneath the cages, an automated conveyor system collects waste and, every few days, transports it directly to collection trucks. This setup prevents chickens from coming into contact with waste, significantly reducing the risk of disease. Feeding and watering are fully automated, helping lower labor costs and optimize the use of cage space. Compared to traditional floor-based farming methods, this model can accommodate twice as many chickens within the same area.

In addition to pigs and chickens, the province's two primary livestock species, many other animals are also being raised under large-scale, integrated value chains, gradually entering global value chains. Among them, quail farming stands out, with a total stock of around 8 million birds, making Dong Nai the country's leading province in this sector. Quail farms are increasingly shifting toward modern, industrial-scale production.

Notably, several local enterprises have invested in processing ready-to-eat quail eggs for export to international markets. One prominent example is VinaEgg Production-Trading Co., Ltd., based in Tan Phu commune, which has invested in a facility specializing in pasteurized and sterilized ready-to-eat quail eggs. The production line is nearly fully automated and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, with a large daily capacity of approximately 600,000 eggs.

VinaEgg’s products have already been exported to demanding markets such as Japan, Europe, and the United States. The company also collaborates with local quail farms to develop an industrial-scale supply of raw materials that meet strict export standards.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by Minh Hanh, Minho