On January 16, the Institute of Animal Husbandry (IAH) held a conference to review its work in 2023 and outline its plans for 2024. Dr. Pham Cong Thieu, the director of the IAH, reported that the institute overcame the difficulties and challenges faced by the animal husbandry sector, such as the outbreaks of African swine fever, avian influenza, and skin nodules on cattle and buffalo, and fulfilled the tasks assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In 2023, the IAH conducted 166 scientific and technological tasks, comprising 11 national-level tasks, 48 ministry-level tasks, 33 regular tasks, and 11 international cooperation projects. The IAH also transferred technology and collaborated with 63 stakeholders, including enterprises, localities, institutes, and schools, in research and development.
The IAH achieved notable research results in 2023, such as:
Selecting four lines of sows (LTP, YTP, TH12, TH21) that produced 27.5 – 28 piglets per sow per year, 10 – 13% higher than the average of the existing foreign breeds.
Crossbreeding various lines of specialty colored feather chickens (such as CTN, HTP, MLV, RTN, LLV, LZ, ZL, DA15-16, DA15-15, VCN-VP6, VCN-VP7) that had high survival rates (97.5 – 98%), adaptability to different ecological zones, and higher body weights (40.5 – 59.7g) and egg yields (1.18 – 1.59 eggs more) than the previous generation.
Developing lines of laying hens (DG63, DT51, GB15) that laid 250 – 280 eggs per hen per 68 weeks, with a feed conversion ratio of 1.56 – 1.72kg per 10 eggs.
Conserving and preserving 17 animal genetic resources, encompassing five livestock species (Chu Prong pig, Song Hinh black pig, Lang Hong pig, Muong Long horse, and domestic rabbit), five poultry species (Ky Son turkey, feather-legged chicken, Cao Son dwarf chicken, frizzle chicken, and Ma Da chicken), five waterfowl species (Muong Khieng duck, Nghia Do bau duck, Trung Khanh grass duck, gray goose, and grass goose), and two bee species (Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa).
Based on these results, the IAH set its goals for 2024 to align with the strategy of developing animal husbandry according to the market demand, emphasizing high-tech animal husbandry and the key products of the institute. The IAH aimed to improve the quality and diversity of its breeding products, exploiting the advantages of the native and imported genetic resources, enhancing the production efficiency and sustainability, and researching the models of ecological, green, and organic animal husbandry.
Mr. Pham Kim Dang, the deputy director of the Department of Animal Husbandry, praised the animal husbandry sector for achieving remarkable results in 2023, with a growth rate of 5 – 7% per year, contributing 26 – 28% to the agricultural GDP. The sector accomplished its mission of providing enough meat, milk, and eggs for more than 100 million people in the country and aiming for export. However, he stressed that a new approach was needed in the future, especially in scientific research. He expressed his hope that the Department of Animal Husbandry and the IAH would continue to cooperate and promote their roles in developing sustainable animal husbandry in the coming time.
The Institute of Animal Husbandry is a leading research institution in the field of animal husbandry in Vietnam. In 2023, the IAH successfully completed 166 scientific and technological tasks, achieving remarkable results in selecting, breeding, and conserving various animal genetic resources. The IAH also transferred technology and collaborated with many partners in the sector. In 2024, the IAH plans to continue its research and development activities, focusing on high-tech, market-oriented, and sustainable animal husbandry. The IAH hopes to contribute to the growth and innovation of the animal husbandry sector in Vietnam and beyond.
