Economic potential

Traveling along the road from Mường Lạn’s center to its villages, it’s easy to spot flocks of ducks swimming in streams and irrigation ditches, a form of free-range farming that locals have practiced for generations. In more well-off households, ducks are semi-free-ranged around the house or in ponds, fed primarily with rice grains, corn, and banana stalks, completely free of industrial feed.

Lường Thị Vấn, a resident of Co Sản village, Mường Lạn commune, shared: “Almost every household here raises ducks, some more, some less, depending on their conditions. The ducks are released into streams and mainly eat rice and vegetables, so the meat is firm and flavorful. Everyone who’s tried them says they’re delicious. I raise two batches a year, about 100-150 ducks, mostly selling them within the commune or to nearby areas.”

According to Vấn, raising short-neck ducks in Mường Lạn isn’t something taught by agricultural programs but stems from long-standing farming habits, adapted to local conditions. It takes advantage of natural feed sources, aligns with traditional practices, and yields good market demand, making it a stable source of income for years.

In addition to the distinct free-range method and natural setting, Mường Lạn short-neck ducks are also unique for having a longer growth cycle compared to lean duck breeds. While commercial ducks can be sold after 45-60 days, Mường Lạn ducks require 4 to 5 months of care before harvesting. Though the extended cycle demands more time and effort, the ducks have less fat, richer flavor, and firmer texture, qualities that make them a favorite among consumers. Their market price is stable, ranging from VND 100,000 to 130,000 per kilogram.

Struggling to assert value

Despite their potential, branding for the Mường Lạn short-neck duck remains a distant goal. Most ducks are sold locally or in neighboring areas. The main challenge is the spontaneous and small-scale nature of the farming, lacking coordination or linkage. The products also lack labeling or traceability, which limits their competitiveness in broader markets. Recently, there have even been cases of outside ducks being brought in and sold under the Mường Lạn brand at high prices, misleading buyers and damaging the reputation of the local product.

Vũ Tiến Thặng, Vice Chairman of the Mường Lạn commune People’s Committee, explained that the short-neck duck is a local specialty. However, no cooperative or central unit currently organizes production and distribution. Because farmers raise ducks independently and unevenly, standardizing procedures is difficult, making it impossible to register a trademark.

To help farmers build a brand for the short-neck duck, local authorities launched a community-based commercial duck farming support project in early 2024, with 30 households participating. After four months, 3,000 ducks were successfully raised with nearly a 93% survival rate, and an average weight of over 2kg per duck.

Tòng Thị Phương, a resident from Hua Ná village, said: “Through this project, we received ducklings, feed, and guidance on care and disease prevention. The way we raise ducks has completely changed, they’re healthier, grow faster, survival rates are higher, and sales are easier because officials frequently check in and offer support. Our family now raises nearly 200 ducks a year.”

The community production support project has sparked hope among Mường Lạn residents about the potential to scale up duck farming into a commercial model. With the goal of gradually improving livelihoods, restructuring the rural economy, and fulfilling the economic and production criteria under the national new rural development program, local authorities are now actively implementing the OCOP (One Commune One Product) process, following the principles of: “People know, people discuss, people do, people benefit.” Developing the short-neck duck as a branded, commercial product is one of the commune’s top priorities.

“We will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies and experts to consolidate and expand short-neck duck farming as a commercial model that meets OCOP standards. This will not only improve the quality of this indigenous breed but also create sustainable livelihoods and help people gradually escape poverty,” said Vũ Tiến Thặng, Vice Chairman of the commune People’s Committee.