A farmer in Mai Sơn District, Sơn La Province, participates in SAPLING's trial models on forage growing (photo credit: ILRI/Chi Nguyen).

Unlocking livestock development potential: Stakeholder meeting fuels progress for Vietnam's ethnic minorities

We recently attended a stakeholder meeting in northwest Vietnam that marks an important step in addressing poverty, malnutrition, and gender inequality among ethnic minority communities. 

Livestock sector experts gathered in Phu Yen District, Son La Province on 21 June 2023, to discuss strategies for transforming the sector and improving the lives of these communities. 

The meeting brings together representatives from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the Vietnam National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), the National Institute of Veterinary Research (NIVR), the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), and local authorities from the Phu Yen District and Son La Province (photo credit: ILRI/Chi Nguyen).

With the support of the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING), the project aims to enhance livestock productivity and promote inclusive development among ethnic minorities. 

By focusing on pig and cattle value chains in pilot project sites, the initiative seeks to overcome challenges such as low productivity, poor animal husbandry practices, and limited market access. 

This collaborative effort involving multiple organizations and local authorities has the potential to drive sustainable livestock transformation, reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and empower marginalized communities in Son La Province. 

To learn more about the initiative, please visit the original blog post: Read more