A building housing swift nests in Binh Giang commune, Hon Dat district of the southern province of Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)HCMCity (VNS/VNA) - The rapid growth of the swift-breeding industry across thecountry could lead to negative effects if there is no long-term developmentplan, according to Ha Thuy Hanh, deputy director of the National Agriculture Extension.
Hạnh spoke at a recent meeting in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss solutions forsustainable development of farming swiftlets in southern cities and provinces.
Farming swiftletsfor their edible bird nests had developed in an uncoordinated manner, she said.
“The lives of localresidents around swift houses could be affected by the noise of birds andmachines used to attract them,” she said.
As of October, thecountry had more than 14,350 swift houses in 42 cities and provinces, mostly inthe southern region.
The number of swifthouses sharply increased by 88.5 percent compared to 2017.
The Mekong Deltaprovince of Kien Gianghas the largest number of 2,245 swiftlet farming facilities.
About 68 tonnes ofbirds’ nest were exported in 2018. Major export markets include Hong Kong,China, the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
Experts said thatVietnamese bird's nest has a higher quality compared to those from othercountries, Hanh said.
“But exportingbird's nest as raw material and through unofficial trading channels brings lowvalue and profits,” she said.
Mai The Hao, deputy head of the SouthernAnimal Husbandry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, said local authorities should have plans for swiftlet farmingstrategy areas to minimise the negative impact.
HCM City, and Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces had zoned areas forswiflet farming.
“More strictmanagement and long-term plans in farming swifts are necessary for theindustry’s sustainable growth,” he said.
Expanding theeffective models of swiftlet farming, regulations about specifications andstandards, and assessment of environmental impact of the swift houses are alsoneeded.
According to Do Tu Quan, head of the Vietnam SwiftletFarming Association, the demand for swiftlet nests is forecast to increase inthe coming time. China is the largest import market for edible bird's nest.
“Swift breedersshould improve the quality of their bird's nest to meet export demands,” shesaid.
Creating closelinkages between bird nest production companies, swiftlet farming associationsand swift breeders were needed.
“Promoting officialtrade will help raise the export value of Vietnamese bird's nest,” she said.
Hạnh spoke at a recent meeting in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss solutions forsustainable development of farming swiftlets in southern cities and provinces.
Farming swiftletsfor their edible bird nests had developed in an uncoordinated manner, she said.
“The lives of localresidents around swift houses could be affected by the noise of birds andmachines used to attract them,” she said.
As of October, thecountry had more than 14,350 swift houses in 42 cities and provinces, mostly inthe southern region.
The number of swifthouses sharply increased by 88.5 percent compared to 2017.
The Mekong Deltaprovince of Kien Gianghas the largest number of 2,245 swiftlet farming facilities.
About 68 tonnes ofbirds’ nest were exported in 2018. Major export markets include Hong Kong,China, the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
Experts said thatVietnamese bird's nest has a higher quality compared to those from othercountries, Hanh said.
“But exportingbird's nest as raw material and through unofficial trading channels brings lowvalue and profits,” she said.
Mai The Hao, deputy head of the SouthernAnimal Husbandry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, said local authorities should have plans for swiftlet farmingstrategy areas to minimise the negative impact.
HCM City, and Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces had zoned areas forswiflet farming.
“More strictmanagement and long-term plans in farming swifts are necessary for theindustry’s sustainable growth,” he said.
Expanding theeffective models of swiftlet farming, regulations about specifications andstandards, and assessment of environmental impact of the swift houses are alsoneeded.
According to Do Tu Quan, head of the Vietnam SwiftletFarming Association, the demand for swiftlet nests is forecast to increase inthe coming time. China is the largest import market for edible bird's nest.
“Swift breedersshould improve the quality of their bird's nest to meet export demands,” shesaid.
Creating closelinkages between bird nest production companies, swiftlet farming associationsand swift breeders were needed.
“Promoting officialtrade will help raise the export value of Vietnamese bird's nest,” she said.
Last year, the countryprovided nearly 200 tonnes of birds’ nest for both domestic and foreignmarkets.
The swift-breedingindustry is expected to achieve revenue of about 3 trillion VND (129 million USD) next year, and reach 6trillion VND (258million USD)annually in the following years.
“Building theswiftlet farming developing strategy would play an important role in promotingthe industry,” she said.
In addition,promoting brands of Vietnamese birds’ nest products, further investing intechnology to product processing, and building bird's nest production chainswere also needed./.
The swift-breedingindustry is expected to achieve revenue of about 3 trillion VND (129 million USD) next year, and reach 6trillion VND (258million USD)annually in the following years.
“Building theswiftlet farming developing strategy would play an important role in promotingthe industry,” she said.
In addition,promoting brands of Vietnamese birds’ nest products, further investing intechnology to product processing, and building bird's nest production chainswere also needed./.
VNA
