Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 010/06VIE Nghe An Province Sustainable village based beef cattle development Training and Extension Programme MS2: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT Page 1 of 55 Table of Contents 1. Institute Information ___________________________________________________ 3 2. Project Abstract _______________________________________________________ 4 3. Executive Summary ____________________________________________________ 4 4. Introduction & Background _____________________________________________ 4 5. Progress to Date_______________________________________________________ 7 5.1 Implementation Highlights_________________________________________________ 5.2 Smallholder Benefits _____________________________________________________ 9 5.3 Capacity Building _______________________________________________________ 9 5.4 Publicity _______________________________________________________________ 9 5.5 Project Management _____________________________________________________ 9 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues__________________________________________ 10 6.1 Environment __________________________________________________________ 10 6.2 Gender and Social Issues ________________________________________________ 10 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues ___________________________________ 10 7.1 Issues and Constraints___________________________________________________ 11 7.2 Options _______________________________________________________________ 11 7.3 Sustainability __________________________________________________________ 12 8. Next Critical Steps ____________________________________________________ 13 9. Conclusion __________________________________________________________ 13 10. Statuatory Declaration 11. Reports Report A. Background and Base Date report - March 2077 Report B. Situation Analysis for Cattle in Nghia Dan District Report C. Workshop and Demonstrations Report D. Nghe An Province Beef Project - P Rolston 12. Appendices Appendix A - Evaluation of Pasture Demonstration Page 2 of 55 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 Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr Diep Australian Organisation AusAID Australian Personnel Mr Tim Harvey Date commenced February 2007 Completion date (original) December 2009 Completion date (revised) - Reporting period First six months Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Mr Tim Harvey Telephone: 00 64 6 350 5119 Position: Director Fax: 00 64 6 350 5646 Organisation Massey University Email: T.G.Harvey@massey.ac.nz In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Mr M Peters Telephone: Position: Director Fax: Organisation Research Management Services Email: In Vietnam Name: Mr Toan Telephone: Position: Project Coordinator Fax: Organisation BCFRC Email: Page 3 of 55 2. Project Abstract 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 will look at developing a sustainable, economic village based beef farming model to improve long-term meat supply, and improve incomes. This project will design, implement and evaluate the village based beef farming system in the Nghe An Region. The project will be based around a small nucleus (demonstration) farm and three rural villages, which have below average household income levels (Nghia Lam, Nghia Son and Nghia Quang). Smallholders have very little land (on average 5000 m 2 ), and therefore increasing beef nutrition and land size will be reliant on the utilisation of crop residue and bi-products. The technology of silage making is not practiced in the area. The development of this technology will be essential to make beef production viable and profitable in this area. The project team will work with local collaborators to establish best on-farm practice for this regions beef industry 3. Executive Summary The quality of beef cattle fodder in the Nghia Don district is placing major restrictions on the number of cattle smallholders can manage. The nutrient value of the fodders (especially over the dry period) is also a limiting factor to both the number of cattle fed over winter, the productivity of the animals and the quality of the meat produced. Smallholders have very little land (0.3 - 8ha) with the average holding only 5000m 2 therefore the opportunity to plant larger areas of cattle fodder is limited. Crop residues and bi-products from crop processing are available in the area and these are used as cattle fodder. However, their availability is very seasonal. There is real potential to grow the beef cattle industry in Nghia Don if the nutrient value of this crop residue and bi-products can be captured and stored so they are available in the dry season. There is considerable international experience in conservation of cattle fodder through fermentation of a wide range of bi-products and fodder types. The project has started by making silage in big plastic bags, to demonstrate the process. The project made silage from sugar cane tops (SCT) and Elephant grass adding molasses and salt. There is potential to explore a range of other silages, such as, Green Maize, Maize Stover + N, Peanut Top, Cassava Top, Cassava Pulp and Pineapple Pulp. The quality of most of the Tropical grasses are very low and traditional harvesting methods means the metabolizable energy ME (MJ/Kg) is low and fibre levels high. There is a need to identify legumes, grasses and crops that will provide low cost options to increase the ME of the fodders on offer. The Ministry of Agriculture has undertaken a crossbreeding programme in the District to increase the size and productivity of the local cattle. A Sindhi cross breeding programme has Page 4 of 55 been successful with approximately 30% of the cattle now carrying either 1/4, 6/10 or ½ Sindhi genetics. The Sindhi breed is a milking breed from Pakistan (and India). The crossing programme has increased the animal size and milking ability but has done little to increase the quality of the beef produced. There will need to be considerable thought and discussion over the next six months so sound recommendations can be developed for the introduction of new beef genetic into the district. The inception visit has increased the knowledge of the Team and a good base has been established on which to build and extend benefit to the local smallholders. 4. Introduction & Background Introduction The inception project visit was undertaken between 26 Feb and 20 March 2007. The project team for this trip were-: Tim Harvey (Project Manager and Animal Specialist) and Phil Rolston (Pasture & Developmental Specialist) both from NZ. The project team from Vietnam were Mr. Diep (Director 19 May Co), Mr Huong, Md Hoa, Mr Vinnh, Mr Heep, Mr Li, and two other company technicians, Mr Toan (Project Coordinator) first 3 days only and Mr Taˆm Hoang van Background The project is funded by CARD (Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development program in collaboration with Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop. The project is through Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. The Vietnamese counterpart is the 19 May Company, an old (1958) ex-state farm and incorporated in 1995. The company has approx 1100 ha of land mainly in horticulture. The 19 th May Co is primarily involved in the contract production and sale of oranges. It has land that includes rubber and sugar cane production. It has a small number of cattle (mainly owned by the workers). The Company provides employment to a high % of the surrounding villages. The company also has a strong social (political) responsibility to support the local district and provide training and assistance. The company is one of the top SOE companies in Nghe An district. Nghe An Province in north-central Vietnam (300 km south of Hanoi) is one of the poorer areas of the country. Many households raise a few cattle and in the Province there has been successful cross breeding of the small framed local yellow cattle with Indian Sinh cattle. Cattle nutrition is seen as a limitation to increased profitability from cattle. Cattle offer farmers an opportunity to diversify incomes. Three project villages in the Nghia Dan district were selected; Nghia Son; Nghia Lam; Nghia Yen (see outline below). The Nghia Dan area has been selected as suitable for beef cattle production and over the last 5 years the local Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has undertaken a programme to strengthen cattle production in the area. The MoA has undertaken some training, special credit arrangements for farmers purchasing cattle, introduction the Sindhi breed and a breeding policy that has support artificial insemination (AI) and upgraded village bulls. Page 5 of 55 Physical situation and environment Location The three project villages are around the “19 th May Co.” near Nghia Dan town at latitude 19 o 2’ N; longitude 105 o 4’ E (about 300 km south of Hanoi). Topography The topography is easy rolling hills, mostly cultivatable; altitude ca 60m above sea level. Soils The red soils are deep (usually more than 2 m), clay loams that are relatively fertile. Farmers use little fertilizer on forages, but high amounts on some vegetables, e.g. on water melon a mix of animal manure 10 T/ha plus NPK (10:3:8) 1000 kg/ha. The soil pH range is 5.8 to 6.5 (up to 7.0 in some sites). The natural phosphorous (P) level is high. Animal manure plays an important role and is in short supply. Climate The area has four seasons, although winters (Oct, Nov & Dec) are mild and frost free. The Province suffers from frequent severe floods and typhoons. The annual rainfall in the project area is 1565 mm. The monthly distribution is similar to Hanoi with high rainfall in the months of May to September. Temperatures also peak during this period averaging between 31 and 33 C but as high as 41 C. Page 6 of 55 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlight The project objectives for the first visit are: 1. Objective: To establish a base (small office) at the 19 May Co from which the project team work and build a strong supportive relationship with the local community. Output : One room at the 19 May Co was made available for the project; the project purchased a desk, lockable cupboard and a small table and chairs. The company has developed a small accommodation block to allow visitors to stay close to the project. Some local high school children joined the team for some sessions, and a strong relationship was developed with the one of the local high school English teacher, who assisted with interpreting for the project. 2. Objective: To confirm the three project villages and work with the village leaders Women’s fed and Farmer assoc to select 3 farming families at each village as the key project farmers (KPF). Output: The district office and all 3 village community offices were visited and the team introduced. Short discussions on social, community and agriculture were undertaken. 3. Objective: To collect base data from Village leaders and interview over 20 farmers to evaluate the present situation and gain understanding of farming methods. Output: Base data will be built up from the following areas: - 4. Family 5. Income 6. Land 7. Cropping 8. Assets 9. Fodder 10. Labour 11. Animal disease 12. Animal 13. Twenty three farmer families were visited in their homes over a one week period, inspection of cattle and cropping was undertaken. Page 7 of 55 4. Objective: To set up arrange of demonstrations a. Collecting live weights of cattle and use of weigh scales and girth tape :- Output: Limit physical data was collect from the village cattle due to difficult handling the cattle when out grazing. Cattle were assessed for condition score and 13 company cattle weighed and condition scored as a capacity building exercise. b. Making of silage in plastic bags from Sugar cane top and buffalo grass : Output: A ½ day demonstration and ½ day workshop were completed on silage making see report c. Plant demonstration pasture trials of Lucerne, Ruzi, TD58, black bean; under trees, between trees and on bareland area. Output: All demonstration site were planted out as planned. 6. Objective: To undertake training (3 x training days) introducing the following concepts: d. Animal Nutrition e. Feed conservation (silage) f. Feed budgeting Output: This activity was undertaken with 3 x 1/2 day workshops; • One with 38 farmers attending on silage and cattle nutrient • One with 18 company technical staff attending on beef development feed budgeting and farm planning • One with the local extension officer and 4 animal technicians attending on feed management in the village and cattle breeding 7. Objective: To start developing a relationship with Hanoi Agricultural University :- Output: Two visits were undertaken and a student was selected to join the project to undertake their field training. Page 8 of 55 8. Objective: Develop a 6 month plan for each project village and company Output Project plans developed and action list completed 5.2 Smallholder Benefits The local farmers have not been introduced to the making of silage before, some had heard about it but do not have the technology. The farmers also have little understanding of nutrient balancing and the concept of balancing feeds for Protein fibre and Starch. Farmers at the workshop were give big plastic bags to undertake small home trials. The real benefits to the small holders will not start to follow until the next visit. There is real possibilities to increase cattle nutrition through the use of bi-products in the area e.g. Sugar Cane Top, Cassava Top, Pineapple Pulp, Cassava Pulp and Maize Stover. 5.3 Capacity Building • The Hanoi Agriculture University was visited and a senior student was invited the join the project team for 3 months to undertake his study field work and practical project. This has provided the student with a great opportunity to be involved and exposed to international development work. • One of the local high school teacher’s has spent 2 weeks (afternoons only) working as an interpreter for the project, this has exposed him to English as first language speakers. • The local technicians have been involved in laying down trial plots using international methods. • Staff from the 19 may Co are been exposed to the NZ team and the work cultures and concepts of international development work. • The NZ team has been exposed to the Vietnamese culture and have a better application of the social and local environment. The project leader was taken to the typical village home for the 2 nd of May family celebrations. 5.4 Publicity The provincial TV station attended one of the workshops and aired a 5 minute information segment. The provincial Director of Agriculture from Vinnh City; The Vice Chairman of the peoples committee of Nghe An province; and all the local village leaders all visited the project office to provide support for the project. The project office will be have CARD (AusAid) signage put up on the next visit 5.5 Project Management The project is well established, with an office, and internet connection. A management structure is in place and agreements set up on a visit by visit basis on service provision and support. Land has been made available for demonstrations and our counterpart has been fully Page 9 of 55 involved at all levels of the project. The visit was well organised and most activities could take place as planned Without Mr Toan’s involvement in the project for this one trip, it was difficult to involve the BCFRC in the implementation of the project. I would hope that at the next visit a visit to BCFRC can be arranged and a small seminar and discussions can be held at the institute. The budget has proved to be very tight with the cost of international travel and the high NZ: AUST exchange rate. Also the need to employ additional interpreters for this visit has added some costs. This is been managed at by the project leader at this time. 9. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment There are some environmental concerns identified by the project team:  The cassava processing factory was producing large quantities of pulp waste. The liquid from the pulp was leaching out and could contaminate local water supplies. If the pulp could be used more effectively by making silage for beef cattle there could be environmental benefits.  The making of silage can have its own problems with leaching of acidic liquid into the environment. This will need to be monitored and managed within the project.  The use of plastic bags and plastic covers for silage making can add to the environmental contamination if recycling is not managed  The increase in animal numbers is usually positive to the environment, increasing the use of animal manure rather than chemical fertilizer. Village farmers put a high value on animal manure and most of the animal waste is returned to the land and very little contaminates local water ways. 6.2 Gender and Social Issues There are no women farmer technicians in any the villages at present, however the women undertake a lot of the animal work. The number of women attending the demonstration and workshops was approx one third of the total which was pleasing. At the next visit there will need to be a discussion with the leaders of the Women’s Federation in each village to see if the participation of women in the project can be increased. 10. Implementation & Sustainability Issues There is only one active animal extension officer in the district. Mr Li has an excellent understanding of the local situation and carries out most of the training in cattle breeding and nutrient in the area. The level of expertise of the local village farmer technicians is relatively low. There is relatively good farmer support for farmers raising animals in two of the village farmer but the third is only just starting to undertake training of farmer technicians. Page 10 of 55 [...]... Location in Nghe An District Population No Families Land Area Families with beef cattle Average No of cattle Village Technicians Technicians Average price of cattle Associations Poverty Line Village 3 - Nghia Yen Mr Phu (Phan van) Mr Phue (Hoang van) Md Chu Location in Nghe An District Population No Families Land Area Families with beef cattle Average No of cattle Village Technicians Technicians Average... wealth and development (see figure 2.) Land use differed greatly between the three villages Nghia San had very little land for rice, most of the cash crops were fruit trees, with very little land set aside for Elephant Grass Nghia Lam had good areas of rice land, large areas of sugar cane, water melons and most farmers had an area of Elephant Grass for feeding cattle Nghia Yen had good areas of rice and. .. established Any new breeding strategy will have to go “hand in hand” with an increase in nutrition for the animals, farmer training, and the development of a more sustainable marketing system for beef Page 28 of 55 The local success rate and technicians skill for AI is high enough to sustain a new breeding programme Also the village bull” concept is well established The introduction of a new specialised beef. .. available to cut and carry the wild grass Feeding levels of cows are very low due to the very small size and low maintenance requirement Most cattle become an- oestrus over the winter dry season and do not start cycling until April or May and calf in January-February the following year Individual farmers do not keep a male animal and use the village bull or a friend’s bull Change to the Beef System over... to come from bi-product (50%) and the other 50% from grass and crop product, the land required to provide high quality feed (not just bulk) for grass and special cattle fodder crops is estimated at approx 250 to 300 ha of land, well above the 50 Ha allocated Foot and Mouth Foot and Mouth disease has been present in the district with an outbreak in Nghia Loc, Quigih Liu and around Vinh City in 2005-2006... size and milk production of the local cattle The strategy was based on the hope that a dairy production industry could be established in the area, using ½ Holstein/Local cross (Sindhi) cattle, rather than development of a cattle breed for beef production The Sindhi cattle programme has been successful and the (Sinh x local) cattle can form a very good base for a beef industry The Sindhi x local cattle. .. extension office Mr Lie – Senior extension officer Nghia Dan District located in the north of the Nghe An Province in a hilly area It has 75,000 of fertile land The main production is Sugar cane, rubber, coffee, oranges, water melon and cattle It has: - 30,000 Buffalo 29,000 Beef Cattle 11,000 Goat 54,000 Pigs The district is one of the most fertile in the province with good basalt soils with ph ranging... sites (i) bare land, (ii) inter-plant under rubber trees, (iii) inter-plant in orange plantation The purpose of the demonstrations was to: • • • Provide a training platform Evaluate alfalfa Develop production, seasonal growth and management information on Ruzi grass and Guinea grass Detailed plot plans are shown in Annex 2 Page 32 of 55 Page 33 of 55 Report D Situation Analysis – Pastures and Feed Phil... March 2007 Page 34 of 55 Nghe An Province Beef Project Situation Analysis: Pastures and Feed Prepared by: Phil Rolston1 Date: March 2007 Summary The forages used in Nghe An are generally only an average or below average sources of energy and are low in protein Elephant grass is grown by many families but cut to maximize bulk instead of quality Wild grasses, sugar cane tops and dried corn stalks are... The Nghia Dan Ministry of Agriculture has had a beef development project for the last 5-6 years, which has started to change the traditional ways of rearing beef The Ministry of Agriculture introduced a cross breeding programme using AI and putting F1, F2 bulls into villages as village bulls” This strategy has been very effective and approximately 1/3 of cattle are now Sindhi cross and all village bulls” . Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 010/06VIE Nghe An Province Sustainable village based beef cattle development Training and Extension Programme MS2:. silage and cattle nutrient • One with 18 company technical staff attending on beef development feed budgeting and farm planning • One with the local extension officer and 4 animal technicians. Page 2 of 55 1. Institute Information Project Name Nghe An Province, sustainable village based beef cattle development, training and extension project. Vietnamese Institution 19 May Fruit