Dự án nông nghiệp " Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme " Milestone 10 pdf

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 010/06/VIE Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme Project Report Milestone 10 Final SIX-MONTHLY REPORT March 2010 2 Table of Contents 1 Institute Information 1 2 Project Abstract 2 Executive Summary 2 3 Introduction & Background 2 Implementation Highlights 2 Summary of Key Technology Improvements 3 Smallholder Benefits 3 Modelling Benefits 4 Potential for Increased Production and Improved Profitably 4 Capacity Building 5 Publicity 5 Project Management 6 4 Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6 Environment 6 Gender and Social Issues 6 5 Implementation & Sustainability Issues 6 Issues and Constraints 6 Intervention Options 7 Sustainability 7 6 Next Critical Steps 7 1 Institute Information Project Name Nghe An Province, sustainable village based beef cattle development, training and extension project Vietnamese Institution 19 May Fruit & Vegetable Co; and Bavi Cattle and Forage Research Centre Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr Hoang Van Tao Australian Organisation AusAID Australian Personnel Mr Tim Harvey Date commenced February 2007 Completion date (original) December 2009 Completion date (revised) July 2010 Reporting period Six month Intervals Contact Officer(s) In New Zealand: Team Leader Name: Mr Tim Harvey Telephone: 00 64 6 350 5119 Position: Director Fax: 00 64 6 350 5633 Organisation Massey University Email: T.G.Harvey@massey.ac.nz In New Zealand: Administrative contact Name: Mr Don Brown Telephone: 00 64 6 350 5799 Extn 81338 Position: Director Fax: 00 64 6 801 2682 Organisation Research Management Services Email: D.G.Brown@massey.ac.nz In Vietnam Name: MSc. Nguyen Quoc Toan Telephone: 084-946651244 Position: Project Coordinator Fax: 084-343881404 Organisation BCFRC Email: toanhoangq@yahoo.com 2 2 Project Abstract Executive Summary The project started in March 2007 with the conception visit to the project site. Between 2007 and 2010 there were eight project visits, and six special training events were undertaken in New Zealand, Thailand, Australia and Vietnam (Bavi BCFRC-2 events). The project has introduced new tropical pasture species from Thailand that were very effective in improving nutrient levels and increasing protein availability. The introduction of bi-product silage to the nutrient mix was very effective, especially the introduction of cassava leaf silage. The beef cattle genetic base in the region is very low and the project has introduced Sindi village bulls, to improve long-term potential. Training of ToT’s and farmers has focused on nutrient balancing and improvement, as well as silage technology and genetic improvement. A full 70 page Technical Report has been developed by the team. This report covers all the project technical development and should be read in conjunction with this final report. 3 Introduction & Background Implementation Highlights 1. The success of the new pasture species (Ubon paspalum and Mulato II Brachiaria hybrid). The species performed well and significantly improved total feed and feed quality for beef cattle, .and were well accepted. 2. The village bull programme is being well used; and the offspring are showing higher growth rates than local cattle, The Beef Cattle Development Plan for 2010 (No1155/QD-UB Nghe An) was introduced in May 2003. The plan set objectives to increase beef production, use crossbreeding to introduce new breeds and improve rural incomes. The traditional VN beef industry is based on very small household farmlets, grazing waste land; this model has proved unsustainable. This project is developing a sustainable, economic village based beef farming model to improve long-term meat supply, and improve incomes. This project is implementing and evaluating the village based beef farming system in the Nghe An Region and three rural villages, which have below average household income levels (Nghia Lam, Nghia Son and Nghia Yen). The project has introduced new tropical pasture species from Thailand that are proving very effective in improving nutrient levels and increasing protein availability. The introduction of bi-product silage to the nutrient mix is also proving very effective, especially the introduction of cassava leaf silage. The beef cattle genetic base in the region is very low and the project has introduced Sindi, Brahman and Droughtmaster to improve long-term potential 3 3. The contribution and enthusiasm of the key farmers acting as a model and made a significant contribution to farmer training. Summary of Key Technology Improvements The project has identified and demonstrated a number of technologies that have the potential to increase beef production in Nghe An Province significantly. In the high fertility soils, forage grasses have production; Napier grass between 50- 80 tons DM/ha; Mulatto II and Paspalum between 25-40 tons DM/ha. The higher quantity of Napier grass is offset by lower feed quality value. This level of bio-mass production can support 6-10 cattle/ha; where the small holder continues to have a mixture of crops and animal husbandry production. The availability of maize, sugarcane and cassava bi-product is high in most villages and there bi-product have been under utilised in the past. The conservation of Napier grass, maize and cassava leaf by using silage technology is possible in all villages and can improve the winter nutrition and number of cattle supported over winter by 100% in most areas. Through the use of crossbreeding and new genetics for beef cattle, it is possible to increase the growth rates of cattle by 100% if supported by better nutrition. The status quo for beef production is not sustainable as common grazing land is reducing by 10-20% per year in many areas. Beef production must become more specialised and intensive to provide good profit and family incomes. There is potential for larger 20-50 beef cattle fattening units to be established in the region. (See Technical Report Sect II for full Intervention Report. Smallholder Benefits ¾ Cattle growth rates are increasing, as are incomes for project farmers. (See Technical Report Section 8) ¾ New pasture species have increased protein level available for cattle. (See Technical Report Section 4) ¾ New silage technology (especially fresh Cassava leaf silage) is reducing costs and improving winter forage. (See Technical Report Section 10) ¾ New genetics are available for cattle breeding in the 3 project villages, which will have a long-term effect on beef production and growth rates. (See Technical Report Section 9) ¾ Training has increased farmers understanding of nutrient balancing; feed budgeting, ensiling of bi-products and new pasture management. (See Technical Report Section 7) Traditional farmers can made a small profit from beef production in Nghia Dan district as long as they value their labour at a very low cost and have local cattle that do not require a high nutrient diet. 4 Modelling Benefits Farmers can increase their income from beef production by introducing new technologies and new breeds of cattle. Some of the costs of the new system are higher and some land (0.1ha/cow) needs to be utilised for pasture. The model also assumes that bi-product like Cassava leaf and stem are readily available at a very low cost. From a 5 cow and 4 calf model the modern beef farmer household income from beef was estimated at VD 5,278,167 (a 94% increase on the traditional model) and after labour is accounted for, the net profit is estimated at VD 4,548,167 (a 771% increase on the traditional model). The analysis shows an increased income and reduced labour costs, resulting in a significant improvement in net profit. Estimation Uptake Cost benefit with farmers taking up new technologies Number of Farmers 10 100 1,000 2,000 4,000 Cost benefit no Labour (m dong) 26* 257 2,566 5,133 10,265 Cost benefit with labour (m dong) 33* 330 3,296 6,593 13,185 Year 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 * Difference in cost benefit between new and traditional beef models. New model has significantly less labour costs and therefore larger benefit when farmers labour cost is included. Potential for Increased Production and Improved Profitably Estimating the cost of feed and the effect on profit is extremely difficult as farmers do not value their time or most of the forages (including grain meal) which is home grown. One guide is the difference in the value of corn meal (kg & ME) compared to the cost of bi-product or pasture silage 230d/kgME vs 130d/kgME. 5 In the 3 project villages there is an estimated 4270 hectares of horticultural land with 660ha maize grown, 413 hectares of cassava as a source of bi-product. Very high yields of bio-mass were recorded from Napier grass and other tropical pasture. The combinations of new pasture, and bi-product conservation provides small farmers (with 5,000m 2 land) the ability to move from raising 2-3 cattle to 6-8 cattle with post- project nutrient levels 30-50% higher and growth rates 50-100% faster . Of the pasture species introduced project beef farmers generally reported that they found Ubon paspalum to have greater persistence and to be more acceptable to young animals. Dairy farmers in Thai Hoa report better milk yields from Mulato II compared to Ubon paspalum, consistent with the higher protein content of Mulato II. Capacity Building Training was undertaken in early February 2010 in Australia. Two senior technicians from BCFRC and the 19 th May Company accompanied with Mr Tim Harvey to visit several cattle breeding stations in Northeast of Brisbane. This training was to ascertain the suitability of Brahman and Droughtmaster cattle and their ability to adapt to a tropical environment in Nghe An Province. Both these breeds are available within Vietnam via frozen semen. The visit also assessed a range of tropical pastures that maybe suitable for a cut and carry system or a grazing system for beef cattle in the project area. There is the potential to import additional cattle via embryo, live importation or via frozen semen for cross breeding. The possibilities of expanding the genetic base in the Nghe An Province. Final Workshop at BCFRC Bavi on 26 Feb 2010 attended Conference at BAVI (BCFRC); attended by 60 participants including representatives from Hanoi National Institute of Animal Science, Final Workshop on 4 Mar 2010 for Nghe Dan District held at Nghia Son, attended by 65 people; local farmers, key project farmers, Nghia Dan Agriculture Service, BCFRC staff, 19 May Co. Seminar and visit to Vietnam Goat & Rabbit Research Centre (VGRRC) at SonTay on breeding and discussion on their work in forages and nutrition (6 and 8 Mar 2010). H&T? International Ltd dairy develop. Senior Vietnamese project staff (eg. Mr Toan) trained by the project are now providing technical leadership to the H&T dairy development project. Publicity ¾ The project has been featured in the CARD newsletter ¾ The Nghia An Province Director of Animal Husbandry has visited the project site ¾ 3 village leaders have all attended training to increase the profile of the project ¾ The leader of Animal Husbandry in Nghia Dan district opened the workshop and TV and newspaper coverage was obtained. 6 Project Management The 19 th May Company and BCFRC provide a very good and strong base within Vietnam for the management of the project. Mr Toan has a high level of management skills as well as English language. His organisation and coordination ability was the key to the success of the project and its management. Massey University has the base skill for final management and Governance of the project. The only difficultly was management of the international fluctuation of currency when the project was exposed to the NZD, AUD, USD ad the Vietnam Dong. 4 Report on Cross-Cutting Issues Environment The project continues to have a positive effect on the environment in a number of ways, including: ¾ An increase in the amount of animal manure being recycled back to crop land ¾ Improving the use of bi-products and reducing the burning to waste of some bi- products ¾ Increasing cattle numbers as the amount of common grazing land reduces Gender and Social Issues ¾ The number of women technicians and animal husbandry remains very low; this is a Vietnam wide issue that will not be easily changed ¾ Approximately 33% of trainees at farmers workshops are women and they actively participate in the workshops ¾ Although the women took an active role in cattle management in the project villages , the men undertook the management of cattle handling 5 Implementation & Sustainability Issues Issues and Constraints Reliable seed supply. Farmers wanting to further develop new pastures say they are constrained by a lack of seed. Village bulls. The current insemination fee is low and is imposing some costs on the farmers who are feeding and managing the bulls, Strength of Extension Service. There is a lack of depth within the extension service. External International Projects. Large dairy farm development on 19 May Co. land. The development of 6400 cow dairy farm on 19 May Co land by the Vietnamese company H&T International Ltd has became a reality with the arrival of the 1 st shipment of 1600 heifers in Feb 2010. The dairy may create opportunities for farmers to generate income by the supply of forage; but this may also be a disincentive for beef production. The discontinuation of lease holders from 19 May Co land and relocation of homes to make way for the dairy development has created village resentment towards the 19 May Co. For this reason the final workshop was held in 7 the community hall rather than at the 19 May where earlier farmer training was based. An impact of the dairy development is higher land rental costs and farmers having to travel further (20 to 30 km) to lease land for cash crops; reducing net profit and incomes. Intervention Options Seed Supply. The Thailand seed distributor is in the process of signing an agreement for a Vietnam distributor which should alleviate the seed supply constraint. Transplanting of tillers is an option to increase area and some farmers were doing that, but it is time consuming and seed would be preferable. Village bulls. The mating cost for use of village bulls will need to be evaluated and adjusted if needed to ensure an economic return to the farmers that are managing the bulls. Sustainability Existing project farmers and project village farmers have with the input of the project developed a higher production sustainable beef enterprise. The sustainability of the new approach to non-project villages in the District and Province is dependent on the strength of extension services. Extension services and support in some parts of Nghia Dan district are low. However, in some towns there are qualified and motivated technicians with good experience. Expansion & uptake in the wider Nghe An is dependent on ongoing support & strengthening Farmer association; increasing capability of local technicians Risk factors are still high (including animal disease risks) and this will slow the speed of development of beef production. The market is poorly developed with high fluctuation in prices. Due to high disease risk, farmers often sell animals early before they have reached full slaughter live weights. There is little linkage between the processing factories in the south and the farmers with middle men (agents) setting the price. 6 Next Critical Steps CARD Office to complete evaluation visit. Distribution of Technical Report in Vietnamese to NgheAn and National key Institutes eg BCFRC Bavi, Call for development of Farmer Field School 8 List of trainee for Bavi Seed Production Course STT Họ và Tên Đia chỉ 1 Lê Thanh Hà Sơn Đông-Nghĩa Sơn-Nghĩa Đàn-Nghệ An 2 Phạm Văn Lương Sơn Tây-Nghĩa Sơn-Nghĩa Đàn-Nghệ An 3 Nguyễn Văn Cát Sơn Tây-Nghĩa Sơn-Nghĩa Đàn-Nghệ An 4 Trịnh HảI Lý Khe Lau-Nghĩa Lâm-Nghĩa Đàn-Nghệ An 5 Trần Xuân Thuỷ Xóm 5-Nghĩa Yên-Nghĩa Đàn-Nghệ An 6 Ngô Trọng Tứ Xóm 5-Nghĩa Yên-Nghĩa Đàn-Nghệ An 7 Chu Đ ình Vấn Bắc Lâm-Nghĩa Lâm-Nghĩa Đàn-Nghệ An 8 Lương Văn Định Đội 10, Cty Rau Quả 19/5 Nghệ An 9 Hoàng Văn Tâm XN chăn nuôi Cty 10 Phan Tiến Hậu ĐộI 10, Cty 11 Lý Hồng Dương Phòng TC Cty 12 Trần Khánh Tuấn Vườn ươm Cty 13 Hoàng Thị Vân Anh Trạm KN TX Thái Hoà 14 Tạ Thị Phúc Xóm Nam lâm, Nghĩa lâm 15 Phan Tất LợI Đội 3 Cty 16 Nguyễn Xuân Hồng Đôi 5 Cty 17 Võ Quốc Hùng Sơn đông-NSơn 18 Đặng Kim Liên Đội 6 Cty 19 Nguyễn Xuân Thành Đội 7 Cty 20 Nguyễn Vă n HảI Đôi Cam 1 Cty 21 Nguyễn Văn Quỳnh Đội 4 Cty 22 Ng Hải Thanh Đội 2 Cty Figure 1 Trainee at BCFRC [...]... of Agriculture & Rural Development Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme Project Technical Report March 2 010 VIE 10/ 06 Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme Project Technical Report March 2 010 VIE 10/ 06 Table of Contents Project Team... academic background in his position Mr Toan developed training material and build on his previous experience Knowledge developed by Mr Toan has been the experience with the new pasture species as well as providing training to both farmers and technicians in beef and dairy farming and animal husbandry management Toan has managed the delivery of the village bull project and worked closely with the project... proved unsustainable This project is developing a sustainable, economic village based beef farming model to improve long-term meat supply, and improve incomes This project is implementing and evaluating the village based beef farming system in the Nghe An Region and three rural villages, which have below average household income levels (Nghia Lam, Nghia Son and Nghia Yen) Location Nghe An Province. .. all villages and can improve the winter nutrient and number of cattle supported over winter by 100 % in most areas Through the use of crossbreeding and new genetics for beef cattle, it is possible to increase the growth rates of cattle by 100 % if supported by better nutrition The status quo for beef production is not sustainable as common grazing land is reducing by 10- 20% per year in many areas Beef. .. International training involved a 5-day filed trip to Thailand to look at new pasture species and beef production systems This training was most successful and has led to extension and use of new tropical pasture species These new species have proved very successful and Dr Michael Hare, who led the trainings in Thailand, has now established an agency in Vietnam for the formal importation and distribution... and non-project HH, and the distribution of pasture tillers for transplanting in two new non-project villages He has taken responsibility in arranging farmer training at Bavi Mr Ly is the Senior Extension Officer in the Nghia Dan District Mr Ly is based in Thai Hoa Township (20 km from project villages) and has a team of six technicians responsible for all aspects of agriculture, with 2 on animal and. .. Chu Dinh Van Pham Van Luong Le Van Ha Nguyen Van Cat 5 Section 1: Introduction Abstract The Beef Cattle Development Plan for 2 010 (No1155/QD-UB Nghe An) was introduced in May 2003 The plan set objectives to increase beef production, use crossbreeding to introduce new breeds and improve rural incomes The traditional VN beef industry is based on very small household farmlets, grazing waste land; this... their local farmers in training and especially in project activities such as animal breeding with village bulls and detection of cows being “in heat” for successful mating, sowing and harvesting new pasture species and silage making The key farmers were supplied with small forage choppers, small silage tanks, new species of pasture; ear tags for their cattle and weigh bands to record cattle live weights... large areas, the availability is reducing and farmers have to rely more and more on cut and carry or growing specialised crops, for animal production In one village a farmer cooperative had 120 buffalo that went out to graze the surplus common land This cooperative had to be disbanded in 2000 as available common grazing land decreased and was put into cropping and forestry -Intervention The introduction... this office can only service the township farmers and can provide little support to the project area There are farmer association leaders in each village, however, there focus is mainly on horticulture policy and there is little depth of understanding in animal husbandry Village leaders are supportive of the project but are not qualified animal husbandry technicians -Intervention The best extension activity . Development 010/ 06/VIE Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme Project Report Milestone 10 Final SIX-MONTHLY. Thanh Đội 2 Cty Figure 1 Trainee at BCFRC Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension. species performed well and significantly improved total feed and feed quality for beef cattle, .and were well accepted. 2. The village bull programme is being well used; and the offspring are