Báo cáo khoa học nông nghiệp " The development and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income in the central region of Vietnam - MS2 " potx

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Project Progress Report 009/VIE05 The development and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income in the central region of Vietnam MS2: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT 16/08/2006 1. Institute Information Project Number & Name The development and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income in the central region of Vietnam (009/VIE05) Vietnamese Institution Goat and Rabbit Research Centre (GRRC), NIAH, MARD Vietnamese Project Team Leader Assoc. Prof. Dr Dinh Van Binh Contact Email Telephone: 8434838341 Fax: 8434838889 Organisation: Goat and Rabbit Research Centre Email: Binbavi@netnam.vn Australian Organisation The University of Queensland Australian Personnel Dr Barry W. Norton Contact Email Telephone: 61733651102 61732890260 (AH) Position: Honorary Research Consultant Fax: 61732890103 Organisation: The University of Queensland Email: b.norton@uq.edu.au Project Abstract The development of goat production systems in Vietnam has been strongly promoted by the Vietnamese government through the establishment and support for the Goat and Rabbit Research Centre at Son Tay in the north of Vietnam. The initiatives developed at this centre through both national and international R&D programs have been successfully implemented on local farms in the north, and both the national and provincial governments wish now to promote similar schemes in central and southern Vietnam. While many of the technologies exist, the expertise and funding to apply these to small holder farmers are limited. The proposed 3 year project aims to identify the limitations to improving goat productivity and profitability on selected farms in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces; and to train local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) staff in goat production systems and in the application of appropriate technologies (improved housing, disease control, improved feed supply and quality, introduction of Bachthao and Boer bucks of proven genetic merit). In this way the existing limitations to improving productivity will be overcome, thereby improving the income and well-being of farming communities in these areas 2. Executive Summary The following report presents information on the initiation of activities for the CARD project The improvement and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income in the central region of Vietnam (009/05VIE) in Vietnam during the period January to June 2006. Funding was first provided following the official signing of the project documents in late March 2006, permitting the distribution of funds to Vietnam, and planning for the various activities listed in the Project Design Document (PDD). The project was practically initiated by the visit of Dr Norton to Vietnam (April 19 – May 4 2006) when it was decided that the working title of the project will be “Vietnam-Australia Goat Improvement Project (2006-2009)”, and this title will be used in all official future reports. At this time, discussions were held in Vietnam with Dr Dinh Van Binh, Director of GRRC and joint Director of the project and Dr Nguyen Thi Mui, Project Consultant on matters of project management, including the signing of a MOA between GRRC and UQ as a means of confirming the collaborative responsibilities of the two parties. Matters of funds disbursal, Board structure and planning for the delivery and reporting of activities were also discussed. In the first week of the visit, a training course for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) staff (14) from Binh Thuan (4 staff), Ninh Thuan (6 staff) and Lam Dong (4 staff) provinces was completed. During this time, information was presented on all aspects of goat production and a questionnaire developed for surveying goat farmers in these areas. In the following week, 27 farms were selected in these provinces (9 Binh Thuan, 15 Ninh Thuan, 3 Lam Dong), and surveys conducted during this time. The results of this survey are currently being entered into a data base for analysis, and will form the basis for evaluating the impact of the project over 2 year period. In May-June, Dr Mui and the team from GRRC returned to the farms surveyed and initiated the introduction of the proposed new technologies (improved housing for goats, application of vaccines and medicines to control disease and establishment of forage plots for future use as feed in the dry season. DARD staff are currently maintaining contact with these farmers, and solving problems as they arise. Details of these activities are provided below. It may be concluded that excellent progress has been made in this first 6 month period of this project, and despite the late start, and some difficulties associated with the arrival of the wet season, the basic project structure (training, survey, initiation of activities on afrm) has been established. The development of goat production systems in Vietnam has been strongly promoted by the Vietnamese government through the establishment and support for the Goat and Rabbit Research Centre at Son Tay in the north of Vietnam. The initiatives developed at this centre through both national and international R&D programs have been successfully implemented on local farms in the north, and both the national and provincial governments wish now to promote similar schemes in central and southern Vietnam. While many of the technologies exist, the expertise and funding to apply these to small holder farmers are limited. The proposed 3 year project aims to identify the limitations to improving goat productivity and profitability on selected farms in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces; and to train local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) staff, participating and other local farmers in goat production systems and in the application of new and appropriate technologies (improved housing, disease control, improved feed supply and quality, introduction of Bachthao bucks of proven genetic merit). In this way the existing limitations to improving productivity will be overcome, thereby improving the income and well-being of farming communities in these areas. The following report (January-June 2006) describes the progress made to date, a visit by Dr Norton to Vietnam (15 April- 4 May) and involvement of the team with the conduct of a training coursefor DARD officers at GRRC, development and application of a questionnaire to 27 farms (farmers) in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces, the provision of improved goat housing, vaccines and medicines and the development of forage banks on each farm. Planning for the next 6 months was also undertaken at this time. 3. Introduction & Background Goat production in Vietnam has rapidly expanded in the north with the introduction of new knowledge for disease control, feeding management and the introduction and selection of both local (Co, Bachthao) and exotic (Boer, Saanen, Jumnapari etc) breeds of goats to village systems. These initiatives have been lead by the Goat and Rabbit Research Centre (GRRC) at Bavi, from which an expanding milking and meat goat industry is being developed. While goat meat is not a common commodity in the markets in Vietnam, economic returns for goat farming are high and are attracting many farmers to add goats to their farming enterprises. Goats are particularly important for poor farmers, providing good returns for little investment. The project proposal which has been developed and successfully funded by AusAID under the CARD program was specifically aimed at providing poor farmers in the central provinces of Vietnam (Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Lam Dong) with some of the new technologies which have been developed by GRRC in the north. This aim is reflected in the project title “The improvement and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income in the central region of Vietnam”. This is a program which includes elements of farm survey, strategic planning for improving health and nutrition of goats, as well as training of key farmers and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) staff in these new technologies. Extension of these activities to the wider community will be achieved by conducting field days/workshops for local farmers using demonstration farms. The following report describes the outcomes of the first official visit to Vietnam during which time strategies for project implementation and management were developed, as well as recording the progress made to date in achieving project objectives and plans for activities the coming six-monthly period. Objectives and Outputs of Project: The Project has proposed a list of 7 objectives which it plans to achieve over the 3 year period 2006 to 2009. These are as follows: 1. Identification and characterisation of target farms 2. Training and Information Dissemination 3. Provision of improved housing and health care for goats 4. Improve the availability and quality of feeds and forages for goats 5. Provide local and introduced Bach Thao bucks of proven genetic merit for breeding 6. Economic evaluation of impact of new technologies on goat productivity 7. Support for pilot meat processing facilities at the Ninh Hai Goat Research Centre, Ninh Thuan Within each objective there are a series of activities associated with expected outputs, and these plans are shown in Table 10, (Project Logframe) which is the same table shown as Table 3.1 in the Final Project Design document approved by CARD for implementation. With the exception of Objective 7, parts or all of the above objectives have been achieved in this first 6 month period. Approach and Methodology The information provided below is the same as that presented in the Project document and agreed to as appropriate to the objectives outlines above. General approach. The project will be located in the Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces which are located in the south central coast of Vietnam, 334 km from Ho Chi Minh city and some 1400 km from Hanoi. The local people are mainly Kinh, Cham, Ede and are amongst the poorest in Vietnam (US$45-65 income per annum). The traditional farming systems vary from rice cropping in the river deltas in Ninh Thuan to upland farming systems based on cassava, root crops, fruit and forest trees and livestock. Goat numbers in 2004 in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong were estimated to be 93,930; 35,275 and 9309 respectively. Goats are largely managed by women and children. Income from livestock forms 22 to 25% of total income from agricultural production in this region. Three broad categories of farming systems (lowland high rainfall, upland low rainfall and highland high rainfall) have been selected. The plan is to develop 27 farms (15 in Ninh Thuan, 9 in Binh Thuan, 3 in Lam Dong) by firstly surveying each enterprise and then providing new technologies (housing, health care, nutrition, breeding bucks) as indicated. These participating farmers will be also trained in a short course at GRRC and then on farm by DARD officers in the implementation of these management skills. In each province, 2 farms will be selected as demonstration farms which will be used to train other farmers in these techniques and as model of progressive goat production systems. The selected farmers will have experience of goat production, having between 50 and 100 goats and generally sufficient land to grow the required forages. This holistic approach to the introduction of new technologies is preferred to a more fragmented approach where only specific interventions (eg disease control only) are made. This approach to development has been successfully applied in north Vietnam and is expected to provide a rapid improvement in productivity in similar systems in central Vietnam. An important new initiative for this project is the support for a pilot meat processing plant at the new goat research centre to be built at Ninh Hai in Ninh Thuan. Staff and institutional gaps will be addressed by a comprehensive training program, firstly, by training DARD staff at GRRC and linking them with specialist GRRC counterparts, and secondly by using the trained DARD staff to train district officers, participating farmers and the local communities through the dissemination of information through written materials, workshops and demonstrations. This approach will build capacity in Australian collaborators, GRRC staff and farmers to work as inter- disciplinary and inter-institutional teams, and foster a more holistic approach to improving agricultural and animal production in these poor villages in central Vietnam. The Australian partner contribution will be largely through the active participation of Dr Norton in all matters relating to the development and introduction of the new technologies, and will be complemented by the visit of 5 senior Vietnamese staff to Australia, where they will visit goat production farms and processing facilities for meat and milk, as well as inspecting a range of fodder conservation systems. The training programs will have as a central aim the preparation of materials for distribution to participating and other local farmers on the technologies available and relevant to each farming system. Extension materials now available from GRRC for goat farmers in the north will be modified to meet the particular needs of farmers in central Vietnam. In the second year, demonstration farms will be used to train farmers not currently involved in the project, with a view to spreading information about the new technologies as widely as possible during the time of the project. The project will depend on the continuous availability of a reliable vehicle and driver to gain access to the villages, and particularly for some of the remote districts of Lam Dong and Binh Thuan. Access to the participating farms could be compromised by poor roads and weather, and the timing of all activities will be planned with these limitations in mind. It is planned to introduce Bachthao bucks of proven genetic merit to replace those currently used. With the continuous mating systems usually found, it is possible that in the first year, few non-pregnant goats would be initially available for insemination by introduced bucks. There is also a possibility that a disease epidemic such as foot and mouth disease could compromise the outcome of this project. All the above risks (and any others that arise) will be assessed during the survey, and implementation strategies modified to meet any limitations. While it is recognised that natural disasters such as disease, drought, flood, fire and typhoon could compromise the outcomes of this project, there is little planning that can be done to avoid such calamities. The support and active participation of farmers in the management of introduced goats and experimental programs will be essential, and all farmers will be advised and supported by both local (village and district) and provincial DARD officers in the implementation of all planned strategies. Implementation Methodologies. A key component of this project is the identification of the resources available on the selected farms, and it is from this information that management/intervention strategies will be developed by project staff to overcome the perceived limitations to improved productivity. The first activity of the project will therefore be to conduct a survey of each farm to provide the above information, and this information will then form the baseline against which change will be measured. The expert GRRC and Australian team will then devise strategies for each farm depending on their circumstances. In some cases, a common strategy can be applied to all farms (replace bucks, improve goat house, provide vaccines, drugs and recommendations for use), in other cases, the strategy will be particular to each farm (improved feed and forage supply). It is recognised that local knowledge of feed resources and remedies must be evaluated and incorporated wherever possible. 4. Progress to Date The progress made in the period March to June 2006 will now be reported under Implementation Highlights (4.1) against the Project Logframe providing the means of verification listed as proof of delivery of the services planned. Output Milestone 2 shown in The Table of Milestones, Annex 1 of Schedule 2, Scope of Services for CARD Project 009/05 VIE was listed as Logframe Reference Output 2.4, Activity 2.4.2 and is described thus “Presentation of First 6-monthly report including progress in this period in activities listed under Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Delivery and acceptance of the completed report has been agreed to be the means of verification of payment (A$33,221) to the University of Queensland for this period. Evidence of completion of these activities will be presented as an attachment to this report in the form of CD containing the files mentioned in the sections below. This form of resentation allows a complete electronic documentation of the outputs from the activities for this period. 4.1 Implementation Highlights Objective 1. Identification and characterisation of target farms Output 1.1. Collection of general information on existing systems of goat production Activities 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 were to visit and identify farms in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces to identify and select farms for inclusion in the study. These activities were completed in April 2006 during the visit of Dr Norton to Vietnam to inaugurate this study. During this time, 27 farms were identified and visited by Dr Mui, Dr Binh and Dr Norton to assess their suitability for the study. Three farms were selected in Lam Dong, 9 in Binh Thuan and 15 in Ninh Thuan, for inclusion in the study, and all farmers were enthusiastic about the prospects for the development of their goat enterprises. Appendix Table 1 shows some preliminary details of the farms surveyed, Evidence of this activity is contained in the following output. Output 1.2 Collection of specific information from selected farms in year 1. Activities 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 were to develop a questionnaire to obtain baseline data on resources, productivity and profitability of the selected goat enterprises and to use trained DARD and GRRC staff to interview farmers and collect data with these questionaires. These activities were completed as planned over a period of 10 days, and after checking, all questionnaires are being held by Dr Nguyen Thi Mui at GRRC for future interpretation and analysis (Activity 1.2.3) which will be completed over the next 6 months. Appendices 2 and 3 show the English and Vietnamese questionnaires that were used to conduct this survey, and Appendix 4 shows some preliminary recommendations for action. Objective 2. Training and Information Dissemination Output 2.1 Train provincial DARD officers at GRRC Activities 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 were completed in the week beginning 17 April 2006 at GRRC. Six DARD staff came from Ninh Thuan, 4 DARD staff from Binh Thuan and 5 from Lam Dong provinces, and all attended a training course conducted by GRRC staff (Mr Lin (Breeding), Dr Nguyen Thi Mui (Feeds for goats), Mr Hoang Minh Thanh (Goat diseases), Mr Hoang The Nha (milking goats) and Dr Barry Norton (Nutrition, Survey design and Project objectives). The presentations were all made in Vietnamese with the exception of Dr Norton’s papers which were translated during presentation by Dr Mui. Other staff from GRRC also attended these lectures. Appendix 5 shows photos of the provincial staff who attended the course, Appendix 6 contains the lectures given as Power-Point presentations and Append, and all participants took away an electronic copy of these presentations for later reference. At the completion of the course, all attendees were presented with a Certificate of Participation as evidence of the training (Appendix 7). These staff were all available in the following week when the survey was conducted on each of the 27 selected farms. Output 2.2 Preparation of demonstration and instructional materials for use with participating farmers. These materials were being developed during the next phase of the project when DARD officers returned to each farm and undertook an appraisal of the action needed on each farm (Appendix 4). A copy of these materials will be available in the next report. Output 2.3 Train participating farmers in the application of new technologies. Activities 2.31. and 2.3.2 have been underway since mid-May when Dr Mui and the GRRC team returned to the central provinces to introduce the proposed new technologies to farmers on their farms, and the responsibility for inspection of progress has now been delegated to the DARD officers nominated in each province at Provincial Project Co- ordinator. Appendix Tables 8, 9 and 10 show details of Activities 2.3.1 in each province in June and July, and the results of the follow-up visits (Activity 2.3.2) will be reported in the next 6 monthly report. Output 2.4 Presentation of six-monthly reports and review of project progress The first official visit to Vietnam to inaugurate the project was made by Dr Norton in April/May 2006, and it was at this time that all collaborators met to determine the action plan for the current period (to June 30 2006), and to develop plans for the following years. At this time, it was decided that the project was too long for publicity purposes, and should forthwith be known as the “Vietnam-Australia Goat Improvement Project (2006-2009)”, and that there should be an Annual meeting of collaborators in November of each year to report on progress in the previous year (January – October) and to plan for the coming year. It was also decided that there should be an official project Board which would chaired by Dr Dinh Van Binh as Director, with an Executive consisting of Dr Barry Norton as Deputy Director, Dr Nguyen Thi Mui as Secretary, Dr Ly Viet Ly as Senior Advisor and Board members who will be either the Head of the Provincial DARD Offices (Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Lam Dong) or their representatives and the DARD officers nominated in each province who are responsible for the routine management of the CARD initiatives. Dr Binh has agreed to organise this Board which will meet in Lam Dong in November 2006, in Binh Thuan in 2007 and in Ninh Thuan in 2008. It is hoped that this Board will provide and official forum for interaction between CARD and DARD staff in the planning and execution of the project. Activities 2.4.1 suggested that this meeting should have taken in the January-June period, but the late start to the project made this impossible to organise. Consequently this activity will be completed and reported in the next 6 monthly report. Activity 2.4.2 is that now being undertaken, namely, the collection and collation of six-monthly accounts, outputs from project activities. Objective 3. Provision of improved housing and health care for goats Output 3.1 Improved housing for goats on each selected farm Activities 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 were largely completed in this period, with all goat houses being up-graded so that all excreta can be collected and subsequently used as fertiliser for the establishment of nearby forage plots. A photographic record has been kept of these improvements and will be reported in the next 6 month period. Output 3.2 Control of all disease to improve health of goats on all farms. Activities 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 were undertaken and completed in this period, with all goats on all farms being vaccinated against Enterotoxaemia, foot and mouth disease, goat pox and anthelmithics (Ivomectins) provided to control internal and external parasites. These goats are being continually monitored for the re-occurrence of these diseases and for any other diseases which might be causing losses of productivity in goats on these farms. This monitoring (and treatment as required) will continue as long as the project is operating on these farms. Objective 4. Improve the availability and quality of feeds and forages for goats Output 4.1 Provision of improved forage supply to participating farms Activities 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 have all been completed at the time of writing this report, with the establishment of small plots (0.2 ha) of mixed legume/grass pastures in June/July 2006 before the wet season had begun (see Appendices Tables 8, 9 and 10). However, some replanting may be needed since heavy rain has caused poor establishment in some areas. In the next period, techniques for conservation of these forages will be developed so that feed is available in the next dry season. Objective 5. Provide local and introduced Bach Thao bucks of proven genetic merit for breeding These activities will be developed in the coming year after suitable sources of BachThao bucks have been identified. Objective 6. Economic evaluation of impact of new technologies on goat productivity Output 6.1 Economic data on goat productivity Activity 6.1.1 has been completed with the collection of income and expenditure data for each farm being studied. The analysis of this data will be undertaken in the coming period, and will be used as the baseline against which we will compare economic returns before and after the introduction of the new technologies. 4.2 Smallholder Benefits There have already been clear benefits to small-holder goat farmers in the central regions of Vietnam. All have been supplied with vaccines and medicines to treat the diseases of their goats, have had financial assistance and professional advice on the improvement of their goat houses, in particular, the construction of a concrete apron underneath to collect excreta for use as a fertiliser. In some cases, there were no breeding bucks on farm, and these were supplied by the project. All farms have been provided with advice and seed for the establishment of forage plots which will be used to feed goats in the following dry season. The longer term benefits of these technologies will be greater numbers of goats for sale and increased income for the farm. 4.3 Capacity Building The major focus of the project at this stage has been the training of DARD officers from Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces in goat husbandry and management, in the conduct of surveys and the acquisition of expertise to act as goat production specialists in their provinces. The initial training of 14 DARD officers at GRRC has had a flow on effect, in that, when farms were selected for inclusion in the project, one DARD officer, one local government officer and the commune (village) head was involved in all stages of the process, from interview to implementation. This has the effect of creating awareness of project activities and the new techniques being applied to goat production in each area. There has also been individual training of farmers when the new technologies were being implemented, and each farmer will have an increased knowledge of the prospects and limitations to goat production on their individual farms. 4.4 Publicity The survey created local awareness of the aims and activities of the project, and at the present time, farmer manuals for goat management are being prepared. It is not known how this information has been reported by the local press, but in the coming 6 months, signs will erected at each farm describing the project activities, demonstrations will be organised on selected farms for inspection by other local farmers, a workshop will be run in each area to encourage the adoption of the techniques which have been applied to the “demonstration” farms, etc. Publicity will follow once we have established farms which are successfully applying our prescribed technologies. 4.5 Project Management The organisation of project management was set up during Dr Nortons visit in April/May 2006, and some aspects of that management have been described above eg the composition and activities of an Advisory Board, reporting responsibilities, etc. During this visit, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between UQ and GRRC on the delivery of services and payment schedules, and this document will form the basis for future responsibilities in the project. Dr Dinh Van Binh as Director of GRRC and Vietnamese Project Director has full responsibility for the expenditure and acquittal of funds distributed to GRRC from the Project, and has agreed to provide 6 monthly acquittal statements to UQ for January-June and July-December periods by no later than July 31 and January 30 respectively. UQ have provided guidance on how they would like the acquittals organised. within 2 months of the end of each period. Dr Nguyen Thi Mui has assumed responsibility for the direct management of the project in Vietnam, and together with the team from GRRC, is travelling frequently to the central Vietnam provinces to implement project activities. The project started later than expected, and initiation of on-farm activities has been hampered by the arrival of the wet season. 5. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues [...]... 10), and will consist of recording, analysis and interpretation of baseline survey data, continuing application of proposed technologies to the 27 selected farms in the 3 provinces, visit by Dr Norton in November during which time, progress to date will be evaluated and presented at the first Advisory Board meeting in Dalat in Lam Dong, and plans for the coming year discussed with the collaborating... breeding bucks, having sold them in previous season It is not clear what these farmers were going to do in the coming breeding season, perhaps borrow or buy a new buck Dr Binh plans to identify in each province a large goat enterprise which has “superior” Bachthao bucks, to buy these bucks and circulate then around the project farms (and others) over the period of the project The issue here is determining... but the transport to and possible compromised performance of these bucks in the south suggests that this plan is not a good one This issue will be subject of some debate at the next meeting of the Project committee in Vietnam in November 2006 6.2 Options The plan of the project allows for various options to be taken to achieve the desired outcomes At this time, there has been no need to change the. .. Sustainability Issues 6.1 Issues and Constraints There have been no major issues which have impeded the implementation of the project as planned, with excellent access and collaboration being gained on all 27 farms being studied, and with eager participation in the application of the technologies proposed It should be noted that this is a complex organisational exercise, requiring the co-operation of. .. farms in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces, a review of deficiencies on each farm undertaken and intervention strategies devised and applied to each farm before the wet season limited access to these farms The strategies applied were to provide improved housing conditions for goats, vaccines and medicines to control disease, planted pastures on 2000 square metres as a reserve forage supply and. .. collaborating team The first official visit will be made to the farms in Lam Dong and will be the focus of a publicity campaign to involve more farmers (on a voluntary basis) in the project 8 Conclusion Substantial achievements have been made in the first 6 months of the project, during which a training workshop for DARD officers was completed at GRRC, a survey questionnaire was developed and applied to... Environment There have been no issues which significantly impeded the progress of the project, even the advent of the wet season and its effects on implementation were anticipated to some extent by choosing farms which had “all-weather” access by DARD officers 5.2 Gender and Social Issues There have been no gender or social issues which have affected the implementation of the project as planned 6 Implementation. .. change the original plans and so we no decisions need to be made about options for alternative activities 6.3 Sustainability Since the project has just begun, there are no current issues that we see that threaten the longer term sustainability These issues will be discussed in future reports as they arise 7 Next Critical Steps The plans for the next stage of the project have been listed in the Project... co-operation of many individuals, and this complexity has so far been expertly managed by Dr Mui and her team There is no doubt that some issues will arise as we progress further into the project There is one issue that does deserve comment, and that is associated with our plan to introduce selected (and superior) Bachthao bucks to improve the genetic background of this breed in the region As noted above,... determining the extent to which they are superior, it is not sufficient to select on body weight (size) alone, since this may simply be “environmental” (single born, good nutrition) and not necessarily genetic (as determined by progeny performance) While we have ensured that all farms will have bucks to breed with in the coming season, the selection of “superior” bucks for the longer term remains a contentious . development and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income in the central region of Vietnam (009/VIE05) Vietnamese Institution Goat. information on the initiation of activities for the CARD project The improvement and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income. GRRC in the north. This aim is reflected in the project title The improvement and implementation of new appropriate technologies for improving goat production and increasing small-holder income