Joy from receiving buffaloes

With the slogan “Give them the fishing rod, not the fish,” Sam Mứn commune has implemented a community production development project to support livestock breeding, specifically for buffaloes, for poor, near-poor, and ethnic minority households within the commune. This initiative is funded by the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction in the 2021-2025 period.

Quàng Văn Hoa from Na Lao village, Sam Mứn commune, shared: “Our family’s economy mainly relies on corn and cassava fields, and we lack the production resources to break through. Despite trying to learn various production models, our family still could not escape poverty. Under the Sustainable Poverty Reduction Program, at the end of March 2025, my family received 2 breeding buffaloes. Before receiving the buffaloes, I was trained by the county’s agricultural extension officers and the community production group on breeding techniques and how to care for the buffaloes so they could quickly adapt to the environment. The best part was that we were able to choose the buffaloes we wanted for our family. Now, the buffaloes have adapted well to our farm, and the commune officials frequently visit to guide us in their care. My family and I are very happy, and we are grateful to the policies of the Party and the Government, as well as the local authorities for providing such practical support to poor households like mine.”

According to Lường Văn Lún from Ban village, Sam Mứn commune, during the implementation of the breeding buffalo support project, the people were able to choose and supervise the weighing of the livestock. The community livestock development project supported each household with 2 breeding buffaloes, each weighing 300kg or more. When receiving the buffaloes, I personally weighed them with the supplier, and only accepted them after confirming they met the required weight.

This approach allows people to actively choose their livestock and monitor the project’s progress, encouraging them to take charge in organizing their production activities. It also fosters citizens’ democratic rights and enhances their responsibility in managing and utilizing the support provided by the State.

Lò Văn Thành, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Sam Mứn commune, said: “The community livestock development project for breeding buffaloes in two villages, Na Lao and Ban, supported 42 poor and ethnic minority households with 84 breeding buffaloes, totaling over VND 2 billion from the 2024 National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction. Each household received 2 breeding buffaloes, aged between 24 and 36 months, weighing over 300kg each, at a supported price of VND 92,000 per kg, equivalent to around VND 27-30 million per buffalo."

Thành explained that the commune People’s Committee was the project’s main investor. Before launching the project, the commune proactively invited supported households to attend meetings to discuss and agree on the content, ensuring that people were aware of the State’s support policies. They also signed commitments to adhere to the program’s regulations. During the implementation, if livestock died due to natural causes (such as disasters, diseases, or fire), families should immediately report to the Community Group Leader or the commune People’s Committee for verification and resolution according to the regulations. However, if livestock died due to the family’s negligence (such as improper breeding practices, unauthorized sale, or loss of livestock), the family must replace the animal at their own expense to continue the project.

Households that fail to meet the project’s requirements (such as not providing adequate food or improper care) may have their livestock transferred to other households participating in the project, and violators will not receive further support for the next 5 years.

Impact of Animal Husbandry Law on livestock prices

Nguyễn Hồng Thắng, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Điện Biên province, shared that finding a supplier for livestock was the biggest challenge for the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction. According to Document No.2196/SNN-CNTYTS dated September 19, 2023, from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, regarding the guidelines for livestock production, trading, and livestock supply, as well as Document No.69/SNN-CPPTNT&KTTT for implementing production support activities under national programs, livestock projects must comply with the 2018 Animal Husbandry Law.

The law stipulates that organizations or individuals breeding livestock must meet certain conditions, such as maintaining a quality management system, publishing standards for livestock breeds, and having qualified technical staff. These conditions have a significant impact on livestock prices. Additionally, the livestock supplier, located in Thái Nguyên Province, incurs high transportation and breeding costs according to standards, making the price of livestock purchased from other places 1.5 to 2 times higher than local breeds (raised conventionally).

According to the evaluation report No.735/BC-TTĐ, the People’s Committee of Điện Biên provincehas assessed that the community livestock breeding project in Sam Mứn Commune meets the quality standards for livestock weight, vaccination, veterinary medicines, and disinfectants as outlined in the economic and technical standards for breeding buffaloes under Decision No. 11/2024/QĐ-UBND (April 24, 2024) and Decision No. 39/2024/QĐ-UBND (October 28, 2024) of the provincial People’s Committee.

To ensure transparency and foster democracy in project implementation, the commune’s People’s Committee organized public bidding for livestock prices according to regulations. People receiving breeding buffaloes also received training on breeding techniques, animal disease vaccinations, and project monitoring. Poor households and those in difficult circumstances now have access to government funding, allowing them to gradually develop their economy and achieve higher incomes, ultimately escaping poverty.