Dynamics and developmental trends of smallholder pig production systems in North Vietnam

This study analyses developmental trends, and the driving forces behind them, in smallholder pig production systems in the marginalized mountainous areas of North-west Vietnam. Fieldwork was conducted from 2001 to 2002 in a total of 64 households in four villages in North Vietnam of varying remoteness. Data on developments in pig production were derived from structured household interviews and analysed by loglinear models. The findings of Rapid Rural Appraisal on historical developments are also presented. Spreadsheet models were developed simulating four production alternatives: demand-driven pig production with higher-yielding Vietnamese Mong Cai sows or resource-driven production with lower-yielding local Ban sows, generating offspring either through purebred boars of the respective breed or with higher-yielding Large White boars. Starting from the base models of the four genotype/production system combinations, the following scenarios were tested: (1) increased performance through improved management, (2) modification of end products, and variation of (3) input costs and (4) end-product prices. Evaluation variables were gross margin (GM) and net benefit (NB) of pig production. Results show a rapid transition process from subsistence to increasingly market-oriented production, beginning even before the reforms of 1986 (Doi Moi) but gaining considerable momentum afterwards. Differentiation of production systems was observed in regions that differed in remoteness and environmental conditions. In the base model, improved Large White x Mong Cai pigs yielded the highest GM and local Bail pigs the lowest; Large White x Ban pigs yielded the highest NB and Mong Cai pigs the lowest. Under a scenario of considerably increasing feed costs, Large White x Ban pigs became more beneficial than Large White x Mong Cai pigs based on GM as the decision criterion. Modelling results are compared with current conditions in the Vietnamese pig sector. The probability of local Ban pigs becoming a beneficial production alternative is critically discussed, as is the methodological approach of the study. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.