1

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

CARD Project Progress Report


004/05VIE

A blueprint for sustainable smallholder pig
production in Central Vietnam



Milestone 7
: 3
rd
SIX-MONTHLY REPORT
(July 2007 – January 2008)

2
Table of contents
TITLE PAGE 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
1. INSTITUTE INFORMATION 3
2. PROJECT ABSTRACT 4
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4
4. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND 5
5. PROGRESS TO DATE 6
5.1 IMPLEMENTATION HIGHLIGHTS 6

5.3 SMALLHOLDER BENEFITS 10
5.4 CAPACITY BUILDING 10
5.5 PUBLICITY 10
5.6 PROJECT MANAGEMENT 10
6. REPORT ON CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES 10
6.1 ENVIRONMENT 10
NO ADDITIONS 10
6.2 GENDER AND SOCIAL ISSUES 10
7. IMPLEMENTATION & SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES 10
7.1 ISSUES, CONSTRAINTS AND OPTIONS 10
7.2 SUSTAINABILITY 11
NO NEW ISSUES IDENTIFIED 11
8. NEXT CRITICAL STEPS 11
9. CONCLUSION 11
10. STATUTORY DECLARATION ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.


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1. Institute Information
Project Name
A blueprint for sustainable small holder pig production in Central
Vietnam
Vietnamese Institution
N
ational Institute of Animal Husbandry (NIAH); Hue University o
f

Agriculture and Forestry (HUAF); National Institute of Veterinary
Research (NIVR)
Vietnamese Project Team

Leaders
Dr Ta Thi Bich Duyen (NIAH); Professor Nguyen Quang Linh
(HUAF); Dr Cu Huu Phu (NIVR)
Australian Organisation
The University of Queensland/Victorian Department of Primary
Industry/South Australian Research and Development Institute
Australian Personnel Dr Darren Trott, Dr Ian Wilkie, Dr Colin Cargill, Dr Tony Fahy
Date commenced
April 1st 2006
Completion date (original)
April 2009
Completion date (revised) September 2009
Reporting period
N
ovember 2006 – June 2007
Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name:
Dr Darren Trott
Telephone:
617 336 52985
Position:
Senior Lecturer School o
f
Veterinary Science
Fax:
617 336 51355
Organisation
School of Veterinary Science The
University of Qld

Email:

In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Melissa Anderson
Telephone:
61 7 33652651
Position:
Manager Research Projects Office
Fax:
61 7 33651188
Organisation
School of Land and Food The
University of Qld
Email:



In Vietnam
Name:
Dr Do Ngoc Thuy
Telephone:
84 4 8693932
Position:
Senior Scientist
Fax:
84 4 8694082
Organisation
NIVR
Email:





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2. Project Abstract
Small holder farmers in Central Vietnam predominantly raise pig breeds such as Mong Cai, Mini
pig, and SocHighland, which are well adapted to local conditions but have limited performance and
economic efficiency. Improving the genetics of local breeds by introduction of high performance
Mong Cai lines for pure breeding and exotic breeding programmes will result in significant benefits
for small holder farmers if it can be aligned with an integrated farrow-to-finish management plan
(focusing on health, husbandry, housing and nutrition) to improve production parameters and limit
health problems. This holistic, continuous improvement plan (CIP) will be initiated by
appropriately trained Vietnamese veterinary and animal scientists, under the direction of Australian
experts. Through a train the trainers approach, the CIP will be extended to veterinary extension
workers, commercial piggery managers and selected small scale pig farmers for successful uptake
of knowledge and skills
3. Executive Summary
This project began with six major objectives: 1. Train the trainers; 2. Select the farms; 3. Adopt best
practice; 4. Introduce new breeding stock; 5. Monitor profitability; and 6. Sustain profitability.

During the third six months of the project, progress has been made towards Objectives 3, 4 and 5.
In Thua Thien Hue province, the pure Mong Cai breeding stock has farrowed and the first piglets
have been weaned and sold. The average litter size was 7.6 pigs/gilt/sow and the average number of
piglets weaned was 6.4. The current price of piglets at the time of sale was 47.000/kg, the average
weight of piglets sold was 7 kg so the total benefit (minus input costs) was approximately
91.932.000 VND. Some pigs recorded as stillborn may have been early neonatal death and it will
be interesting to now examine records from the next farrowing to determine if there are increases in
litter size and number of piglets weaned. Most piggery upgrades have occurred and new nestboxes,
based on a design produced by trainee Vietnamese scientists, have been provided. Problems with

pig management are still prevalent, however, with the large majority of farmers not taking on board
recommendations to provide more ventilation (lifting of blinds), better microclimates for both sow
(18-25
o
C) and piglets (31-32
o
C) as well as to provide feed ad lib to dry sows. The E. coli vaccine
produced by NIVR has been provided to the pure Mong Cai breeding stock, but initial reports are
that piglets from vaccinated dams are still developing diarrhoea. Further laboratory investigation is
required to determine if this is vaccine failure, a different strain of E. coli that is not contained
within the vaccine, or indeed (and most likely), another cause of pre-weaning diarrhoea.

In Quang Tri province, the delay on the introduction of breeding stock caused by the outbreaks of
FMD and PRRS meant that new breeding stock was not introduced in time for the project training
visit in November 2007. However, new nestboxes were installed just in time to protect young
piglets from a sudden snap of cold weather. This one intervention resulted in immediate uptake by
local farmers, as piglets without nest boxes suffered severe chilling with some mortality.

This report culminates in a change in strategy for the remainder of the project. A successful long
term visit by veterinary science student, Ms Tarni Cooper resulted in large-scale improvements to
the questionnaire database and the development of a short version of the questionnaire suitable for
small farm audits as part of the continuous improvement model, or indeed for training purposes. We
have therefore timed future visits to occur on a half-yearly basis and increased the amount of time
spent in the country at each visit. Ms Tarni Cooper will be available between November and
February each year to continue her work on the project, she will conduct an audit of each
demonstration piggery each year to demonstrate continuous improvement timed with visits from
Australian experts so she can continue her knowledge of smallholder pig husbandry and health.




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4. Introduction & Background
In response to the increased demand for pork, Vietnamese small holder farmers in the Central
provinces have intensified their production system, while others have attempted to continue to
produce pigs in older, poorly designed facilities. As intensification has increased, so too have
disease problems, particularly in the pre-weaning stage, so it is not surprising that enteric diseases
cause very substantial losses in this age group. While the diseases involved can usually be
controlled by a combination of good management and strategic vaccination, the sub-optimal
environment provided on many farms is also a major risk factor, especially in the farrowing and
weaning areas. Antibiotics, which add significantly to the cost of production, are used to overcome
these deficiencies and their indiscriminate use is probably contributing to the current high level of
multi-drug resistance in isolates from pigs in Vietnam. Expansion of small holder pig production in
Central Vietnam has the potential to improve the income generating capacity of poor families, but
is currently hampered by low profitability due to a combination of poor reproductive performance
and growth rates, lack of husbandry and management skills, poor nutrition and disease problems.
Based on the experience drawn from our existing CARD project (001/04VIE), the problems faced
by small holder pork producers in Vietnam include:

• Lack of on-farm recording to allow effective herd management on a day-to-day basis.
• Lack of written records on average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency and pigs marketed
/sow/year to determine whole-herd productivity and profitability.
• Failure to set and reach reproduction targets.
• Poor ventilation and cooling systems which limit the feed intake of progeny and breeders.
• Restrict feeding of all classes of stock from lactating sows through to finisher pigs.
• Lack of written data to assist resolving herd health problems-particularly mortalities, age
and cause of death.
• Incorrect vaccination strategies for those diseases for which there are effective vaccines.
• Lack of specialist veterinary and extension staff to instruct and advise farmers.
• Lack of model demonstration farms in each province to train the trainers.


To better understand the risk factors that are contributing to pig health problems, and limiting or
reducing production, it is proposed to survey a large number of small holder farms in Quang Tri,
Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh Provinces. Retrospective baseline data on production,
health, housing, environment and income will be collected and deficiencies in husbandry and
housing will be detected and assessed so that they can be prioritised. A representative sample of
small holder farms (defined as those with less than 10-15 sows) and small commercial farms (30 to
100 sows) in each province will be selected for the survey and audit process, which will be used to
assess the standard of production and competency of farmers and facilities. Prior to commencing
the survey, Vietnamese scientists will be trained to visit farms and interview the farmer and his/her
family and collect required data on production and facilities.

Following the survey of selected farms in the three provinces, a workshop will be held at Hue
University of Agriculture and Forestry to identify the key risk factors that are negatively
influencing health and production. A set of priorities will then be established for improving
management, husbandry and housing on farms. This will result in the development of suitable
models for pig production incorporating modified and improved designs for housing, as well as
husbandry and management techniques. Once the full modules have been validated, a series of field
days will be held in each district, with extension service personnel and local veterinarians as
trainers. Selected farmers will also be invited to participate in “train the trainer workshops” so that
they can also participate in training other farmers through “farmer-to-farmer workshops” in each
area. The pig production farrow-to-sale training workshops will be tailored for the needs and
production systems followed.

Many of the poorer households use indigenous breeds of pig with the intention of crossing them
with exotic breeds to improve growth and performance in the F1 progeny. However, the local

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breeds currently reared by small holder farmers perform very poorly. Of the three major breeds pure
Mong Cai have by far the best performance. High performance pure Mong Cai have been bred in
Bacgiang with an average litter size of 13-14 piglets (compared to 8-9 for the other indigenous

breeds) and a growth rate of 350-400g per day (compared to only 200-250g for the other breeds).
These results clearly show the robustness of the Mong Cai breed. Introduction of high quality, high
performance Mong Cai sows will provide the nucleus for a central coast pure Mong Cai breeding
zone collective. Pure Mong Cai gilts will be raised for downstream sale to other small holders for a
crossbreeding program using exotic breeds of boar. Hybrid vigour in F1 progeny will provide better
growth rates than the currently used indigenous breeds, but will be more adaptable to local
environmental conditions compared to exotic breeds of pig. This program will also maintain the
pure Mong Cai gene pool in the central coastal area.

5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
1) Refinements to on-line database
The website can be found at the following URL:
A login name
(AUSAIDCARD) and password (pigproject) have been created for members of the CARD
programme management committee to access and view the database (without the ability to modify
records) at any time as it is being built or during the life of the project. The website has been
substantially improved by the combined efforts of Ms Tarni Cooper (UQ) and Mr Warren Ham
(UQ), together with the assistance of Dr Do Ngoc Thuy (NIVR), Mr Ho Ngoc Phuong (HUAF) and
Mr Hoang Bien (NIVR) (translation and input on improving the design of the questions to obtain
more thorough information). This includes:
a) Refinement of questions to obtain more accurate data on pigs produced, vaccination schedules
etc.
b) Creation of a shortened version of the survey form to be used as a brief audit system that can be
completed on a regular basis during the lifetime of the project.
3) Major training mission to Vietnam and farm audits by Australian team members
(November 2007-February 2008).

a) Major training mission November 2007 by Dr Colin Cargill, Dr Tony Fahy and Mr Patrick
Daniel (see Appendix 1: Colin Cargill November trip report):

The major aim of the visit was to review progress and to assist in the training of a core group of
extension veterinarians and technicians in assessing and auditing piggeries for management
(husbandry, nutrition, health) and housing (ventilation, temperature control, waste management).

Unfortunately only 2 to 3 extension veterinarians and technicians were available for training in each
commune or village (and did not show much aptitude or interest in learning new skills), and the
concept of training and mentoring of local extension services appeared to be lost in translation. This
may have been due to a misunderstanding about the purpose of the training, or a cultural difference
in the approach to training. The training and farm visits were also interrupted by flooding and 2
days were lost at the beginning of the trip.

During the visit to Thua Thien Hue Province 10 project or demonstration farms were visited over 2
days. Herd size ranged from 3 to 9 sows and the majority of farms had erected dry sow stalls.
Twenty farms had received creep boxes and although farmers like the creep boxes, only one has
built his own extra box. The cost of each box was between 400,000 and 500,000 VND (AUD$ 28 to
30), which seemed rather expensive. Each project farm has also received 5 to 6 Mong Cai gilts,
many of which are either pregnant or have farrowed. The HUAFF Team originally recruited 27
farms, but 3 have dropped out since the project commenced.

7

In Quang Tri Province, where the NIAH Team has recruited 30 farms, 10 farms were visited over 2
days. None of the farms have been supplied with creep boxes and only a few have built dry sow
stalls. No gilts have been supplied as yet, due to an outbreak of FMD, but Mr Bien has undertaken
to have the demonstration farms in Quang Tri Province ready by January 2008.
In summary common problems that were still identified on farm included:

i) Ventilation. Most piggeries had their blinds down and it seemed that it required too
much labour to raise and lower them and a simple roll up/roll down version was
demonstrated by Mr Patrick Daniel.

ii) Creep boxes. Perhaps not being utilised to their best capability but certainly working.
iii) Feeding gilts/sows and dry sow stalls. Most farms had dry stalls but were still feeding a
restricted diet and water was not available on a continuous basis.
iv) Records. Whilst some records are being kept it was still difficult to calculate the number
of pigs per sow per year and further improvements are required.
v) Little knowledge of appropriate medication/vaccination schedules. An approved
medication/vaccination schedule for common problems is provided in the MS 5 report
(2
nd
six monthly report). The point was made by Dr Fahy that although vaccines are
available, most farmers, as well as the extension veterinarians, were not aware of either
what the vaccines were for or how to use them. Similarly; they had little knowledge of
which medicine was appropriate for specific clinical signs and how to use them.

The major conclusion from the attempted training mission was that it is far too premature to be
instructing extension workers/etc in the types of skills required and that more investment needs to
be made in ensuring that the demonstration farms continue to be profitable and that this is well-
documented. For this reason, a shortened version of the questionnaire is required so an accurate
farm audit can be made at each visit.

b) Farm audit/survey questionnaire development December 2007/January 2008. The introduction of
Ms Tarni Cooper to the project team has resulted in significant developments. Ms Tarni (who had
just completed her second year of a veterinary science degree at The University of Queensland) was
given the opportunity to stay in Vietnam and working with Vietnamese colleagues for a total of
eight weeks on the project (December 2007 to end of January 2008). Ms Tarni has a strong interest
in full time development work when she graduates as a veterinarian at the end of 2010 and the
opportunity to live and work in Vietnam on a subsistence basis provided her with the necessary
experience to attain this goal. Through her work with Vietnamese trainee scientists (Mr Phuong
from HUAF and Mr Bien from NIAH) and careful attention to detail, we were thus able to break the
perpetual cycle of brief farm visits by Australian experts, pointing out the same problems that were

not being addressed between visits. Ms Tarni was also committed to “road-testing” the electronic
survey format, something that had not been addressed in previous site visits by Australian scientists
(ie it had only been used at the commencement of the survey to obtain data on a large number of
smallholder farms, no doubt due to the time factor of short project visits of 2-3 weeks and the need
to demonstrate as much “hands-on practical information as possible” during the farm visits). The
additional advantage was that Ms Tarni and Mr Phuong were able to visit the selected farms by
motorbike, thus they were a lot more mobile and covered a good deal of territory. Ms Tarni was
given the following aims for her visit:

1. Review data on online questionnaire database and check for inputting errors from original
paper copies stored in the HUAF and NIAH.
2. Travel to each selected farm (24 in TTH, 30 in QT)
- Carry out audits with the previously used questionnaire and make any adaptations necessary
- Take digital photographs and upload onto online database
- Create diagram of shed floor plan and upload onto online database
3. Observe local veterinary practices and report back to the Project staff.
4. Personal development:

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- Become better equipped with the skills to work cross-culturally, in developing countries.
- Learn more about pig disease, housing, nutrition and breeding in the smallholder situation.
- Learn about aspects of the Vietnamese culture, including the language and social mores.
A complete report of her trip is attached (See Appendix 2:Tarni Cooper Trip Report). However,
major accomplishments included development of a shortened version of the questionnaire for
auditing purposes, adjustments to questions such as schooling system and most importantly, an
opportunity to review progress on the farms from her first visit to Vietnam. The level of trust and
support developed between the Vietnamese scientific teams and Ms Tarni was an extremely
valuable asset for the project. Ms Tarni was able to review the introduction of the first nest boxes
onto the Quang Tri demonstration farms – these were introduced just at the right time of year as it
was an unusually cold winter in Central Vietnam and those farmers that were using creep boxes did

not suffer any pre-weaning mortality. This was the single biggest impetus for other farmers to make
and introduce their own nestboxes. The audit performed by Ms Tarni on each of the demonstration
smallholder units in each province will form the basis for future benchmarking/auditing
assessments. These can be viewed at any time on-line by the project management team.
4) Introduction of major milestone reports for each participating Vietnamese institute. In
order to keep progress in line with cash flow, the requirement for milestone reports from the
Vietnamese stakeholders was introduced (See Appendix 3: Performance criteria for payment). A
milestone report from Prof Linh (HUAF) for the period is attached (see Appendix 4: HUAF report
2
nd
six months). Highlights during this time include a training course delivered to the 30 selected
farmers in Thua Thien Hue, including two days of theory (taught by Prof. Linh, Dr. Duyet, and Dr.
Toan) covering pig housing and nutrition, pig breeding and nutrition and disease control and
prevention (prior to the November project visit). Three Mong Cai sow deaths were reported during
the period (down from 15 in the previous period), one death may have been infectious due to
haemorrhagic septicaemia, the other two were due to unknown causes. Creep boxes based on a
prototype developed in consultation were introduced to selected farms (one free creep box each).
Whilst expensive to make, the creep boxes were a tremendous success, especially over the cool
winter months. Sharp declines in ambient temperature and resultant stress and chilling of piglets
that were not provided with creep boxes, provided dramatic evidence of their effectiveness and
were quickly taken up by the other farmers. Detailed reports on reproductive performance of the
Mong Cai gilts are also provided. Overall, if the results are accurate, they are very encouraging at
this stage of the project, with 83 litters born (out of a possible 99), 634 piglets in total (549 liveborn
though the stillbirths may also include early neonatal mortality) and 533 weaned. The current price
of piglets is 47.000/kg, the average weight of piglet sold was 7 kg so the total benefit (minus input
costs) is about 91.932.000 VND. This is an average per gilt/sow of 7.6 total piglets born, 6.6
liveborn (ie one piglet either stillborn or I suspect from the notes provided, may be mortality at <24
hours) and 6.4 weaned. It is crucial that this data be combined with fertility data (ie interval
between litters) to obtain an idea of the number of pigs born per sow per year. With better (ie ad lib)
dry sow feeding and greater emphasis on pig and sow microclimates, these figures may improve

greatly.
An important point to raise was that according to assessment by the Vietnamese scientists:
“Observations have showed that the E. coli vaccine does not provide 100% cover against E. coli
and some offspring of mothers given the vaccine contracted WD.” This needs to be carefully
investigated (as noted and suggested in Dr Cargill’s report) during the remainder of the project in
terms of the age group of piglets, the type of diarrhoea (coccidiosis also causes creamy coloured
diarrhoea/steatorrhoea and the demeanor of the piglets, other diseases such has Clostridium
perfringens, rotavirus and transmissible gastroenteritis have also been diagnosed in Vietnam as part
of a second CARDthe problem is diagnosed as neonatal colibacillosis due to E. coli, then the
fimbriae and toxins of the strain need to be characterised to determine whether it is a case of
vaccine failure against predominate strains carrying F4, F5 or the new fimbrial type expressed by
O8 strains (all present in the multivalent vaccine), or whether it is a case of diarrhoea due to F6
fimbriated strains which have not been encorporated into the vaccine and to date, have not been

9
reported in Vietnam. The vaccine has already been safety and efficacy tested as part of another
CARD project.
During the reporting period, Dr Phu from NIVR sent the following update:
“We provided 300 doses of E. coli vaccine against scouring in piglets, in which 150 doses to NIAH
to use in Quang Tri and 150 doses to HUAF to use in Hue, enclosing instruction of usage. NIVR
staff also participated in teaching pig farmers how to prevent and treat diseases in pigs.
During the visit, Mr Huyen and Mr Tuan took seven faecal samples from scouring piglets. The
results as follows: Two samples were obtained from Mr. Trang’s farm (2 litters of weaners got
serious diarrhoea for several days prior to inspection before we came and some showed signs of
oedema disease; these pigs all died the next day after the NIVR team left). Both pigs were positive
for haemolytic E. coli, which is known to cause both diarrhoea and oedema disease (Dr. Thuy has
completed PCR to determine virulence factors, which will be reported in a separate CARD project).
The other two (from Mrs. Tram’s farm) and three (from Mr. Hung’s farm) were positive for
NHEC.” At the time of this visit it should be noted that none of the farms were vaccinating for E.
coli.

Dr Duyen only took over the project from Dr Coi in July 2007 and was immediately faced with the
problem of outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and “Blue Ear Disease” (post likely to be Porcine
Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome with possible secondary bacterial pneumonia with
Streptococcus suis or other members of the Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex) in Quang Tri
province during 2007, which delayed the introduction of pure Mong Cai breeding stock into the
selected farms. Nevertheless, updates on progress were received during the reporting period as
follows:
1) Survey:
In November 2006, a survey on farms had been carried out with more than 250 house holders in Hai
Phu and Hai Thuong commune - Hai Lang district, Vinh Trung and Vinh Chap commune - Vinh
Linh districts, Quang Tri province .
The second survey had been carried out in March of 2007 with 50 house holds in Hai Phu and Hai
Thuogn commune – Hai Lang district, Quang Tri province.
After 2 surveys, 30 house holds had been chosen to participate our project.
Please see attached file (Appendix 4: Farm-data-sheets).
2) Training:
To give the farmers new technology knowledge for rearing Mong Cai pigs, before bringing Mong
Cai gilts in to Quang tri, a training course on technologies for rearing Mong Cai pigs had been
organized in Quang Tri province from 2 to 10 of June, 2007.
Summary of contents was as follows:

TECHNOLOGY OF MONG CAI PIG PRODUCTION
Section 1: Characteristics, breeding and selection methods of Mong Cai pig
Section 2: Feeds, Technologies on processing and storage of feed.
Section 3: Technology for rearing Mong Cai gilt
Section 4: Technology for rearing Mong Cai boars
Section 5: Determining heated sows and mating
Section 6: Technology for rearing progenant sows
Section 7: Technology for rearing farrowed sows and piglets.
Section 8: Technology for rearing farrowed sows and suckling.

Section 9: Technology for rearing piglets pre and post weaning.
Section 10: Technology for rearing farrowed sows and piglets.
Section 11: Technology for rearing fattened pigs.
Section 12: Methods on recording and caculating economical efficiency in Mong Cai pig
production.
Section 13. Vet. In Mong Cai pig production
- Preventive hygiene
- Technology for injecting some pig diseases.

10
- Attention to use vaccine
- Technology for determining diseased pigs
- Some regular diseases and Vet. Technologies in pig production.
- Technology for helping and look after the sows when they get problems at farrowing.

3. Input of data into questionnaire through web site:
As last letter I told you the internet line in our office is not good, it always out of line. We brought
the data set went to NIVR to ask Ms.Thuy helping us, but there are still problems that is: we came
in the web site with password you gave, typed all the data but it was not accepted at the end. I think
Ms.Thuy told you about this problems, can you try and tell how to do.
4. Transporting Mong Cai gilts to Quang Tri: The FMD and PRRS disease is now controlled in
Quang Tri, and we are now beginning to buy a new MC gilt herd and will bring in to Quang tri next
month (October), the price/each kg of gilt is 47.000 VND equal 3.5 AU$/kg (increased 0.5
AU$/kg).

5.3 Smallholder Benefits
In this time period, selected smallholder farmers have been the direct recipients of the following:

• Design, implementation, building and receipt of creep boxes (1 per farmer) with immediate
success noted in both Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue provinces.

• Further training on the care and management of Mong Cai from each institute, on farm
advice, assistance and investigation of problems and during the farm visits.
• Development of a on-line short audit form of the questionnaire to provide a means of
verifying the success of the continuous improvement model on demonstration piggeries.
• Provision of free, locally produced E. coli vaccines for prevention of neonatal colibacillosis.

5.4 Capacity Building
The project has provided dataloggers, laser thermometers and post mortem kits to assist with
obtaining data/investigating causes of illness and mortality. It does not appear that dataloggers are
being left at any of the demonstration piggeries to obtain environmental recordings, due to fears that
they may not be returned?

5.5 Publicity

An article was submitted for the CARD newsletter (written by A/Prof Darren Trott and Ms Tarni
Cooper-Appendix 5).

5.6 Project Management
No change in project team, apart from the addition of Ms Tarni Cooper to the Australian team.
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment: No additions
6.2 Gender and Social Issues: No additions
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1 Issues, Constraints and Options
Issue 1: Slow (but sustained) progress in line with milestones set by CARD

11
Constraints: Whilst definite progress has been made, the project is not yet ready to be able to
provide intensive, ongoing training to district veterinarians/paraveterinarians on best practices,
because the farmers do not have evidence yet that the new systems work. A dramatic demonstration

of the success of nestboxes was only possible because of the unusual weather conditions over
winter (ie if they were introduced in summer, we may not have achieved such a successful and
rapid adoption rate). We have so far failed to demonstrate to farmers how dramatic their
improvements would be, and that there is a considerable cost-benefit to be obtained, with the
introduction of better ventilation and sow cooling systems, especially during summer. It is also
difficult for our Vietnamese scientific colleagues, some of whom work remotely, to be able to
organise the right people in advance to receive training, as evidenced by our November training
attempt (and no incentive in terms of the recipients of training developing their own private
consultancies).
Options: 1) Project focus should shift entirely to adopting the continuous improvement model
at the demonstration farm level with the goal of farmer to farmer training through each commune
being the major vehicle of change. This will only be truly possible towards the end of the project
once herd records validate improved production through adoption of best practices. Training
materials can then be developed and tailored to take into account the major project breakthroughs
(ie the major take-home messages). Also we cannot overemphasise the unforseen delays that the
outbreak of FMD followed by PRRS/Streptococcus suis has had in Central Vietnam.
2) In this endeavour the continued improvement plan through the adoption of the
farm survey audit is a priority.

Issue 2: Avoiding the “consultancy merry-go-round.”
Constraints: There is a danger of our project becoming a fruitless repetitive exercise given the
three to four short-term trips planned for each year by Australian experts and agreed to by the
programme management committee and progress not being attained as fast as is required by the
project logframe. In any case, these should be “high-level” visits to observe project progress, as we
had hoped by this stage that Vietnamese scientists would be largely self-sufficient. In recent visits,
each time, Australian scientists end up being hands on demonstrators of principles that have often
been covered in previous visits. There seems to be a breakdown between transfer of information
from the Vietnamese scientists and the smallholder farmer and we feel that in future visits, a lot
more emphasis needs to be made on making the farmer the decision maker rather than “just telling
him/her what to do.”

Options: 1) Reduce the number of trips per year but increase the duration of activity.
2) Plan the majority of activity around the end of the year (November to February
depending on the start of Tet), when Australian scientists can devote large blocks of time to gain a
deeper understanding of constraints and issues relating to project progress at the local level.

7.2 Sustainability
No new issues identified.
8. Next Critical Steps
1) Translation of the on-line survey questionnaire (short and long forms) into Vietnamese.
2) Monitor progress mid-year and at the end of 2008 to obtain production data and determine the
major improvements that have been made (which can be the basis for farmer to farmer training).
9. Conclusion
Whilst progress has no doubt been made, a reassessment of project training initiatives needs to be
made. Australian scientists have reduced the frequency of visits to twice per year, but increased the
duration. The availability of Ms Tarni Cooper for large blocks of time at the end of each academic
year for the remainder of the project logframe is an excellent long-term investment. The focus of
the next year will be on making sure the key project interventions are operating satisfactorily on

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each farm and that groups of farmers are suitably encouraged by their productivity results to form
the breeding co-operative. Outbreaks of major disease are a constant and unknown threat to project
objectives being met, however they do result in excellent pig prices and farmers with knowledge
and skills will have a greater advantage in these situations.