De Heus (Netherlands) and Hung Nhon Group Make Breakthrough Investment in Central Highlands

Dak Lak: A High-Tech Livestock Hub on the Rise with 1,500 Billion VND Investment

Dak Lak province, with its dominant agricultural sector where livestock farming holds the second-largest proportion and significantly contributes to the stability of the local economy, is poised for a major transformation. Between 2010 and 2018, the province's livestock sector consistently grew, with a 3.27% annual increase in production value (at 2010 comparative prices), a 1.98% increase in quantity, and a 3.3% increase in slaughtered meat output. In 2018, Dak Lak's pig herd reached 769,800 head, producing 132,700 tons of live weight pork, accounting for 41.8% of the Central Highlands' pig population and 59.9% of its pork output.

Currently, Dak Lak's pig herd leads the Central Highlands in both quantity and meat output, ranking 8th nationwide in quantity and 6th in meat production. Recognizing this immense potential, De Heus Group (Netherlands) and Hung Nhon Group have committed to jointly invest in a massive livestock project right in Dak Lak.

Pioneering High-Tech Breeding for Post-ASF Recovery

Mr. Gabor Fluit, CEO of De Heus Vietnam (part of De Heus Group), highlighted the urgent need for disease-free genetic stock in many localities, especially in the context of ongoing epidemics. "With its experience and financial capabilities, De Heus wants to invest in building a high-tech livestock farming area in Dak Lak," Mr. Fluit stated. This breeding area will serve as a core for establishing disease-free zones and will supply disease-free genetic stock to localities for herd restocking after each outbreak. It is projected to provide an average of 24,000 great-grandparent (GGP) and grandparent (GP) breeding pigs.

The pig breeds will be meticulously selected to ensure superior genetic quality. The breeding and reproduction processes will be rigorously controlled, adhering to stringent standards for feed, vaccination, and technical operations. This ensures the production of high-quality GGP, GP, and commercial breeding pigs to meet the high demand, thereby improving breeding efficiency and generating clean agricultural products for the market.

Dak Lak province will allocate approximately 200 hectares for the project. The complex will comprise five main investment categories:

• GGP Pig and Breeder Chicken Farms: covering approximately 80 hectares.
• Commercial Pig Slaughterhouse: approximately 5 hectares.
• Organic Fertilizer Production Plant: approximately 10 hectares.
• Operations and Support Services Area: approximately 20 hectares.
• Organic Farming and Green Space Area: approximately 30 hectares.

The total investment for the project is estimated at 1,500 billion VND.

Embracing Industry 4.0 Technology and Sustainability

As a crucial partner with De Heus in this venture, Mr. Vu Manh Hung, Chairman of Hung Nhon Group, emphasized the project's key advantage: "The superior and outstanding feature of the project is the application of Industry 4.0 technology throughout the breeding process, which helps to effectively control breeding quality, optimize breeding performance, reduce product costs, and achieve high economic efficiency."

Indeed, the project will incorporate a grid-connected solar power system, utilizing 30% clean energy, significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared to traditional power sources. Once operational, the farming area will adopt environmentally friendly and energy-saving measures, promoting organic farming, and ensuring that pig slaughtering and organic fertilizer production meet Vietnamese and international specialized technical standards and regulations.

This commitment to advanced technology and sustainable practices will enhance the environmental value of the breeding pig products, contributing to the final value of the pork. Furthermore, the center will create 250-300 job opportunities for ethnic minorities in Dak Lak province, training them in modern livestock technology and contributing to the province's overall economic development.

Key Players in Vietnam's Agricultural Transformation

• De Heus Group: Established in 1911 in the Netherlands, De Heus remains family-owned and has grown into one of the largest animal feed producers in the Netherlands. It exports to over 75 countries and territories, operating factories in 13 countries including Russia, Poland, Brazil, and Vietnam, with over 4,000 employees. Globally, De Heus ranks 14th among leading animal feed manufacturers. De Heus Vietnam, a subsidiary, specializes in high-quality animal feed for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, with 9 factories and a network of transit warehouses nationwide.

• Hung Nhon Group: Headquartered in Binh Phuoc province, Hung Nhon Group is a diversified conglomerate. Its agricultural holdings include 20 broiler chicken farms (20 ha, supplying 3 million birds/year), 8 laying hen farms (7 ha, supplying 130 million eggs/year), and 48 pig farms (100 ha, supplying 9,600 sows and 250,000 breeding pigs). The Group also operates the Dong Phu Fertilizer Plant (4 ha, 40,000 tons/year capacity) and engages in forest and rubber tree cultivation in Binh Phuoc. Beyond agriculture, Hung Nhon Group is the owner of Nissan 3S Go Vap dealership in Ho Chi Minh City, the most modern in Nissan's Vietnam network, and the official and exclusive distributor of Mediheal cosmetics (South Korea) in Vietnam. Hung Nhon Group's livestock production follows a closed-loop value chain model, from breeding stock and feed to processing and slaughter, ensuring clean, safe, and stable products for farmers. Its production lines are fully automated, utilizing the latest technology from Big Dutchman (Germany), and adhere to 349 stringent GlobalG.A.P standards.

Tác giả: Đông Anh