Báo cáo Nghiên cứu khoa học Science and technology in livestock production and development in Vietnam during recent years

1 Discussion Paper for Agriculture Sector Priorities Workshop SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM DURING RECENT YEARS I. THE ROLES AND DEVELOPMENT OF LIVESTOCK IN VIETNAM DURING RECENT YEARS 1.1 The Roles of Livestock in Eco-social Development in Vietnam Firstly, livestock contributes to the agricultural diversification and changes towards the higher productivity in value per unit of land and per unit of labor input. Livestock production, especially in the context of the agricultural production characterized by small-household production as Vietnam, will bring about opportunities of higher productivity per 1 ha of land as compared with crop - based agriculture. Secondly, there has been a great potential on the increased demand of livestock products in local and international markets, especially it is rather high demand of the pork and chicken meat. Thirdly, livestock production will improve significantly nutritional status of the people by additional providing higher amounts of protein in daily diets as well as overcoming protein shortage and mal-nutrition. Finally, livestock production serves as an important income source of almost Vietnam farmers, especially those living in mountainous and remote areas where the poor percentage reaches the top. So, livestock production will make an important impact in poor reduction and income distribution. 1.2 The achievements of animal production in Vietnam during recent years Livestock production in Vietnam has undergone tremendous development during last 15 years with high growth rates in term of product quantity, quantity and value - During 15 years (1995 to 2010), the share of livestock product value has increased from 18.9% in 1995 to 27% in 2008. Their absolute values were 16,200 billion VND and 97.9 billion VND in 1995 and in 2008, respectively (6 fold). The average growth rate is 7% per year (Table 1) 2 Table 1. Agriculture and Livestock Product Values by Year Year Agro. Product Value (Thousand billion VND) Livestock Product Value (Thousand billion VND)) Share of Livestock Value to Total Agriculture (%) Growth Rate in Compared with Previous Year (%) 1995 85,50 16,20 18,90 # 2000 129,10 25,00 19,30 6,70 2001 130,10 25,50 19,50 4,10 2002 145,20 30,60 20,50 9,90 2003 154,00 34,50 22,50 8,20 2004 172,50 37,30 21,60 5,80 2005 183,30 45,20 24,70 11,60 2006 197,90 48,50 24,50 6,90 2007 236,90 57,80 24,40 4,60 2008 362,80 97,90 27,00 6,00 Source: GSO - 2008 - Livestock numbers during the last 10 years have increased 4-5% annually (Table 2). However, total meat increased from 1.8 million MT in 2000 to 3.68 million MT in 2009 (2 fold)) with the growth rate of 6.5-7.0% per year (Table 3). From the data, it has strongly indicated that livestock productivity has increased. - With the total of 27.6 million head of pigs, Vietnam is in the Top ten and stands at Number Five in the world in term of pig population and Number Six in term of pork production. The growth rate of pig population is at 3.4% and pork quantity produced in 2008 reached to 2.88 million MT representing the growth rate of 4.1%. - Avian Influenza happened since 2003 has had a great impact on poultry production in the country. According to the official statistics, poultry production in Vietnam has been recovered in 2009 and its population reached 280 million chicks and increased by 13.2%. Total chicken meat production was 467.3 thousand MT increasing 12% as compared with that in 2008. Total egg production was 5.2 billion, increasing 7%. In 2009, cattle population was 6.1 million head, decreasing 3.7% in comparison with that in 2008. However beef meat production increased 12.5% reaching 255.7 thousand MT. 3 Table 2. Livestock Population by Year Year Buffalo (Mill. Head) Cattle (Mill. Head Dairy cattle (Mill. Head) Pig (Mill. Head Chicken (mill. Head Muscovy Duck (Mill. Head) Goat (000 Head) Horse (000 Head) 2000 2,90 4,13 35,00 20,19 147,10 51,00 543,90 126,5 2001 2,82 3,90 41,20 21,76 158,00 57,97 569,00 113,4 2002 2,82 4,06 55,85 23,17 159,45 73,84 621,90 110,9 2003 2,84 4,39 80,00 25,46 185,20 68,84 780,40 112,5 2004 2,87 4,91 95,80 26,14 159,20 58,92 1022,00 110,8 2005 2,92 5,54 104,10 27,43 220,00 60,10 1314,00 110,5 2006 2,92 6,51 113,20 26,90 214,60 62,60 1525,00 87,3 2007 2,99 6,72 98,60 26,50 157,90 68,00 1777,00 103,5 2008 2,90 6,34 107,89 26,70 176,04 71,18 1483,50 121,0 2009* 2,89 6,10 115,52 27,63 199,99 80,18 1375,13 102,21 Source: GSO - 2008. * Estimated value Table 3. Meat Production by Year Total Meat Beef Buffalo Meat Pork Poultry Year Quantity. (1000 MT) % as with previous year Quantity. (1000 MT) % as with previous year Quantity. (1000 MT) % as with previous year Quantity. (1000 MT) % as with previous year Quantity. (1000 MT) % as with previous year 2000 1.835,920 7,26 93,82 9,73 48,41 4,74 1418,100 7,58 292,90 11,87 2001 1.984,910 8,12 102,03 8,75 51,38 6,14 1513,280 6,71 322,60 10,14 2002 2.245,160 13,11 102,45 0,41 51,81 0,84 1653,600 9,27 338,40 4,89 2003 2.328,760 3,72 107,54 4,96 53,06 2,41 1795,400 8,57 372,72 10,14 2004 2.505,670 7,60 119,79 11,39 57,45 8,28 2012,000 12,06 316,40 -15,11 2005 2.812,170 12,23 142,16 18,68 59,80 4,07 2288,300 13,73 321,90 1,74 2006 3.076,410 9,40 159,46 12,17 64,32 7,55 2505,000 9,47 344,40 6,99 2007 3.295,020 7,10 106,14 -33,44 67,50 4,96 2662,700 6,29 358,80 4,18 2008 3.486,680 5,82 227,19 114,04 71,54 5,98 2771,000 4,07 417,00 16,22 2009 3.682,616 5,62 255,75 12,57 74,96 4,78 2884,600 4,10 467,30 12,08 Source: GSO - 2008 4 II. THE CONTRIBUTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PERIOD OF 2006-2010 2.1. Animal Genetic and Breeding (Access and Use of Highly Valued Genetic Sources) For many years, the researchers have taken a number of studies on the use of exotic breeds and cross-breeding in collaboration with production units, especially with the assistance of international scientists. A number of exotic breeds have been imported. They are kept as pure breeding stock and have been multiplied in several locations in the country. At the same time, they have been considered as source of genetic potential for crossbreeding with the local breeds with the arm of improving the productive performances of the local breeds. The following provides several examples of the studies on animal genetic and breeding of domestic animals in recent years - Pig breeds A lot of pure pig breeds such as Landrace, Yorkshire, Duroc, and Pietrain have been imported into Vietnam from America, Canada and European countries. They are developing well under Vietnam conditions. Thanks to adaptation research and multiplication, their productive performances are maintained rather stable and equal to that at original locations. Several parameters are given below: * Number of piglets born per litter: 11.3 * Number of piglets after weaning: 10.3 * Number of birth per year: 2.1 * Feed convention rate: 2.6-2.8 kg * Number of piglets per sow per year: 20-22 * Lean meat percentage: 55-60% However, these exotic breeds are at the low percentage of about 10% of the total herd and they are kept only several areas which have better production conditions such as feed availability and producer’s knowledge. Cross-bred pigs having different levels of exotic breeds (2, 3 or even 4) have been created. At the time, cross-bred pigs share 55% in total of 27 million pigs in Vietnam. Due to crossbreeding, pig productivities are improved. For example: Live body weight at slaughter increases from 45-50kg to 70-75kg, lean meat percentage increases from 32-35% to 52-57%. - Beef and Dairy Cattle Breeds - Dairy Cattle: High milk yielding dairy cattle namely Holstein Friesian (HF) have been imported into Vietnam and developed well in suitable condition areas such as Moc Chau and Lam Dong. In recent years, instead of import from temperate areas the Holstein cows were 5 imported from Australia and New Zealand where the climate conditions are similar to Vietnam. They have showed the good productivity in Tuyen Quang, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An with milk yields around 4.800-5500 kg per lactation. - Crossbred cows between HF and improved Zebu cows with different levels of HF blood as from 50% (½); 75% (¾); even 87,5% (7/8) show good performances. By the tight selection and best feeding application, their milk yield has been increased time by time from 2200kg/lactation during 1990s to 4200- 4500 kg/lactation in 2008. The nucleus herd (selected cows) gives milk yields of 5200-5500 kg/ lactation in 2009. - Beef cattle: The world well-known beef cattle such as Red Angus, Drought Master, Charolais. Limousine which have been imported into Vietnam are now used as resources with good genetic potential for multiplication and crossbreeding in Vietnam, especially under beef production program. At present, the percentage of improved cattle is 47% in 2009, while that in 2001 was only 27%. By cross-breeding, the average live body weight increases from 235kg/head in 2001 to 265kg/head in 2009. - The chicken lines as TP4, TP1, TP2, LV4, LV5, VP2, RA, and HA2 have been created and selected. They showed better performance in comparision with local chickens. Survival rates of 95,38 – 97,86%, live body weight at 56 day of age is 2,2-2,3kg; egg production is 175- 178/hen/year. - In addition, a number of duck and moscovy ducks lines are created and selected with their productive performances being much higher as compaired with local ones. - Besisde the of use of exotics in improving the productivity of local breeds, the numbers local chicken bredds as H’mong, Ri, Tau Vang; local pigs as Van ba, Wild pigs have recovered and expanded to several areas. 2.2. Effective Use of Animal Feed (Studies on Nutritive Requirement, Formulating Balanced Diets and Feeding Regime) In term of the economics points of livestock production, feed cost is about 70% of total production costs. The basic and applied studies on animal nutrition have been conducted to formulate diets and find out profitable feeding regimes in order to reduce feed inputs per unit of products. - On basic research: To determine digestible energy (DE), metabolisable energy (ME), net energy for maintenance (NEm) and net energy for production (NEp) for several feed and ration for ruminants (dairy cattle, beef cattle and goat). - On applied research: Based on the basic studies, a number of applied research in formulating optimum rations and feeding regimes were successful for different kinds of animals at various physical status, especially local feed based diets, reduced feed conversion ratios (FCR) which have brought about higher economic efficiency. Some examples are below: 6 * FCR is 2.5-2.6 kg for fattening pigs. It is considered as a good result because it is close to the FCR in developed countries with better breeds and feed quality. * For chicken, studies have resulted in significant improvement of FCR and the results are as good as the results from other countries of the region. FCR for 1 kg liveweight gain is 1.7-1.8 kg for industrial chicks and 2.4-2.6 kg for colored chicks. Feed consumption for production of 10 eggs is 1.6-1.7kg. 2.3. Development of Feed Resource and Better Use of Local Feed Availability (Studies on selection of suitable grasses and better conversion of crop residues) - Eighteen (18) in which 9 cultivars belong to grasses planted in dry land, 02 cultivars grasses planted in wet land, 05 legume grasses and 02 feed plants have been selected and created. Five legume cultivars and 2 grasses are now developed at larger scale production with high bio-mass productivity such as Brachiaria brizantha grass is 96 MT/ha; Stylo is 84 MT/ha on a wet matter basis. Studies on the seed production of these grasses were done with the promising seed harvested. They are 320 kg/ha, 139kg/ha and 50 kg/ha for Paspalum, Stylo and Brachiaria, respectively. - Some temperate grass (Sorghum - Avera Strigosaatura) was tested under different climate conditions and showed high yields of 60 MT/ha, Crude protein of 19%), ME of 4300kcal, especially at low composition of crude fibre (27%). These suitable for feed for growth in winter and at other times of feed shortages such as dry or hot conditions - Studies on better use of crop residues (rice straw, maize stover) have been conducted in order to improve the use of these low nutritive value. A number of technical interventions mostly associated with chemical and biological treatment of these crop resides such as urea, lime, microbial treatment and use of the treated feed in rations for ruminants (mainly for cattle and buffalo) have been successful. One outstanding result is use of urea treated maize stover and corncobs in ration with molasses for feedlots. Results showed growth rate of 718- 879 gr/day; FCR of 6.56 – 7.58kg, carcass rate of 46.2- 48.3 % and reduction of 15 -20% of production cost 2.4. Development and Effective Use of Bio-products in Livestock Production (Developing and Using New Bio-products) - Two pro-biotic products are produced. They are used for pig and reduced 15-20% of diarrhea cases and increased growth rate of 6-10% and reduced FCR of 7-12%. - Premix named KL-01 is made to prevent reproductive problems. Diseases related to reproduction reduce by 2.5 - 3%. - Plant based products (from ginger, garlics ….) are developed and use of anti-biotic replacement in preventing diarrhea and reparatory diseases in pigs, especially for piglets. These are now testing in larger scale at different areas and then will be produced commercially. - The hen yolk antibodies were developed for prophylaxis and treatment of diarrhea and edema disease in piglets due to E.coli, calf diarrhea due to E.coli and Salmonella. These specific yolk 7 products were easy to use with low cost and high efficiency; 70-80% were recovered within a few days of treatment. - Several antigens were prepared for diagnostic purpose, which included the fasciola excretory- secretory antigen to diagnose the fascioliasis in animal and human, the Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) antigen using in the diagnosis of CRD. 2.5. Application of Bio-technology (Developing new techniques) * Development of Gene Techniques + Development of protocols to identify and determine HAL gene, ESR gene serving as sophisticated tools in pig breeding selection and BLAD gene for dairy cow selection + To identify performance-relating genes such as Halothane gene in pig and Kappacasein and β- lactoglobulin genes in dairy cows. * Embryo Technology - Production of bovine embryos by in-vivo and in-vitro techniques, Freezing thawing and implanting embryos - Production of boar frozen semen and use of these semen to increase the number of piglets pre litter as high as 14- 16 2.6. Increasing Livestock Product Value by Processing (Processing livestock products) A few studies on processing technologies of livestock products are available. Basically it is due to lack people and knowledge in the area. However, there has been several techniques have been developed. They include: - Muscovy-duck Liver Production: Muscovy Ducks R71 are used to produce Muscovy duck livers. The product characteristics are 9% protein, 29-32% lipid equal to France products, but price is 50% only. This product is awarded Golden Cup in TECHMART Festival 2006, 2007. - Egg preservation: Technique to spray a thin smear of paraffin is developed. Eggs could be preserved for about 5 weeks under summer climate conditions - Techniques in pork processing in two traditional products are also developed. 2.7. Epidemiology Studies of the Emerging Diseases (Studies on disease surveillance) The epidemiology of the emerging diseases has been studied. These include the high pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), Food and Mouth disease, Porcine Reproductive and 8 Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). Epidemiological features and scientific evidences have contributed significantly to the control of these utmost important animal outbreaks. In addition, the assessment and field trials of vaccines from different sources and different formats have revealed the compatibility between the vaccine strains and the circulating pathogenic one, resulting in good choices in management of disease control. 2.8. Vaccine Developments The killed bacterial vaccines: Several vaccines against bacterial diseases were developed with the implementation of fermentation complex system and in the aluminum - killed vaccine format. These included the vaccine against avian Pasteurellosis using both P. multocida type PA1 and PA2 strains, vaccine for bovine Pasteurellosis using the P. multocida type Iran, and vaccines against the diarrhea in weaning piglets, using Salmonella choleraesuis and Salmonella typhimurium. These inactivated vaccines were convenient for use with high safety and efficacy. The killed virus vaccine was developed recently showed a high efficacy and safety in prevention of hemorrhagic disease in rabbit (RHDV). The attenuated vaccines: The bivalent attenuated bacterial vaccine against the Pasteurellosis and salmonellosis in pig. In the field, this vaccine was found to be highly stable, safety and efficacy, very convenient for use. The attenuated virus vaccines: The attenuated vaccine against the pig classical swine fever: produced from the attenuated classical swine fever type C, consistent in safety and efficacy. The lyophilized format provided a long lasting stability for storage. Similarly, the lyophilized attenuated duck hepatitis virus vaccine was developed with high efficacy against virus hepatitis in both duck and Muscovy duck. The recombinant vaccine: The new generation of vaccine against the HPAI is currently being developed by using the recombinant DNA techniques where recombinant H-encoding gene was designed to express the H5 antigen in the yeast expression system (Pichia pastoris). I. THE LIVESTOCK RESEARCH PRIORITIES IN THE PERIOD OF 2011-2015 1.1 Livestock Production Strategy to the Year 2020 The Strategy of Livestock Production to the Year 2020 was approved by Prime Minister by the Decision of 10/2008/QĐ-TTg dated January 16, 2008 with the following objectives: - Basically, by the year 2020 livestock products will be produced by farms and industry enable conditions as hygiene, free diseases, food safety, environmental protection; to meet the local markets demands and for export - Increasing the share of livestock product value to 32% in 2010, 38% in 2015 and 42% in 2020. 9 3.2. The Challenges in Livestock Production and Development in Vietnam 3.2.1 Low Productivity Livestock product value occupied by 27% of total agricultural product value, with about 70% of the labor force engaging in livestock production indicating low productivity of livestock production. Several factors impacting on the low productivity include low genetic merit, animal disease feed quality and farming practices, but are mostly due to small scale production which cannot apply mechanized and advanced technology in order to reduce inputs or improve off- takes. 3.2.2 High Prices of Animal Feed and Low Feed Quality Feed industry in Vietnam has grown dramatically since 1994. Thank to renovation, high investment from local and foreign companies has made great changes in growth rate of industrial feed volume by 23% during 1988-2008 and industrial feed used percentage increased from 1% to 27%. Feed prices in Vietnam are higher compared with those in regional and international markets, especially prices of maize and soybean. The reasons for that are that: firstly Vietnam cannot produce enough the local demand and has to import raw materials from abroad. Secondly, Vietnam charges import tax for those materials, while other countries as Thailand and Indonesia the import tax is zero 3.2.3 Not So Strong in Veterinary and Veterinary Services Livestock production in Vietnam is characterized by small household production. This provides favorable conditions for disease transmission and outbreaks cause big loss for producers. In addition, that has negative effect to product quality, product value and export These are big constraints for livestock development sine they have positive relative to all aspects of the production as inputs, productivity, product quality, production efficiency, capability of competitiveness in the international market and improved public health. 3.2.4 Undeveloped Processing Slaughter Industry Meat processing and the slaughter sub-sector in Vietnam are now faced with a number of problems. At this time, various kinds of meat and meat produced products sold in Vietnam markets do not meet basic requirements on quality and food hygiene. Also, this causes negative factors to export opportunities and public health. 3.2.5 Weak Markets and High Prices of Animal Products Prices of pork in Vietnam are rather higher as compared with international prices and low in competitive capability. The opportunities for meat export potential with large volumes are low. Prices and quality, especially food hygiene standards and safety do not give provide competitive advantages. Prices of animal products fluctuate by the season in the year and between years. The lack of organized markets of animal products has two impacts. Firstly, lack of direct linkages between producers and consumers, Secondly, lack of competitive environment. 10 3.2.6 Not Strong Research and Extension System; Lack of Budget and Low Effectiveness - Research and extension workers are insufficient to serve 10 million households. Number of researchers, their qualification and research sites cited previously indicate the weakness of the system - Total government budget for research in agriculture is about 1.7 % of total national budget expenditure and about 0.08% total agricultural productive value. It is quite low as compared with investment for research by other countries. For example China inputs for research are higher than that from Vietnam by 4 times and Thailand is 14 times higher. - National budgets for extension are also low and the budget used for livestock is at 20%. 3.3 Research Priority in the Period of 2011-2015 - To study to increase livestock productivity by enhancing genetic and breeding; developing and applying proper and maximum feeding regimes in order to make effective use of feed, reduce feed consumption for unit of products; and developing optimum production models in order to increase yields, quality and value of livestock products in the different bio-ecosystems of the country in a sustainable and environmental way. - Development of feed sources including energy source (maize, cassava.), protein source (soybean, sorghums) feed additives (amino acids, mineral premix, vitamin premix), grasses and better use of forage crops, crop residues and by-products from agro-industrial processing. - Development and use of bio-products in veterinary for diagnosis, anti-biotic replacement, growth stimulants and environmental protection.- To study the development of livestock production at farm and industrial levels and gradually to set up commercial production areas and linkages with slaughtering and processing, hygiene, safety, environmental management practices. - To develop veterinary Bio-products for disease diagnosis and anti-biotic replacement, stimulants and so on.) - Studies on epidemiology of the emerging diseases serving scientific bases for diseases control and prevention including disease entering from outside. - To develop recombinant vaccine (new generation) with high efficiency by antigen suitable under Vietnam conditions - To study comprehensive solutions (economic, technique and policy) making livestock production and development sustainable, high economic efficiency and environmental protection. 11 Table 1: Priority Programs within Priority ARDOs (First Draft from Livestock Priority Setting Workshop) Priority ARDOs (In Order of Ranking on Return on Investment) Priority Programs (Ranking within ARDOs) ARDO Number 6 Veterinary Vaccines and Animal Remedies Serious diseases: Avian Influenza, FMD, PRRS etc Other contagious diseases: virus parasites, bacteria Vaccines and animal remedies for prevention and control of disease Bio-products (antiserum, diagnostic kits, bio-remediation) Epidemiology of major diseases Management of safe residue free and hygienic food 3 Pig Production Breed Improvement including exotic breeds) Nutrition Animal health and hygiene Waste treatment 4 Poultry Chicken: Local chicken: breeding, rearing, feeding, health Garden chicken: breeding, rearing, feeding, health Industrial chicken: breeding, rearing, feeding, health Duck: Rearing systems, health and feeding for meat Rearing systems, health and feeding for eggs Rearing systems, health and feeding for meat & eggs Swan: Rearing systems, health and feeding for French Swan Rearing systems, health and feeding for Local Swan 1 Large Animals Cattle: Breed improvement (AI) Dairy production systems Beef production systems Buffalo: Meat production and draught animals Horse: Draught and meat production 7 Animal Feed Processing and Conservation Processing and conservation of animal feed Supplement feeds, crops resides and feed additives Feed and forage production systems Feed requirements for cattle 12 5 Productive Insects Breeding and multiplication technology for high yield, high quality mulberry, silk worm and bees for local consumption and export Diseases of bee and mulberry and management techniques to ensure high quality safe products Technology for processing cocoon and silk to improve value Diversification/Exploitation of high quality bee products Role of bees in pollination for increase yield and quality of agricultural crops 2 Small Ruminants Goats: meat and milk- Rabbits: meat, skin, fibre Sheep: meat, fibre Deer: meat, antler/velvet IV. RESARCH CAPABILITY 4.1 Research Labor Force At present, there are 11 research institutes under MARD with total 7934 staff. Of which, there are 426 PhD, 1268 MSc and 3804 BSc. In livestock sub-sector, working staff are mainly at 3 institutes (Animal Husbandry Research Institute, National Institute for Veterinary Research, and Agricultural Institute for the South) and is also situated in two cities (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh) * Husbandry Research Institute is situated in Hanoi with total 695 staff. Of which, 595 people have graduate and post-graduate degree levels. There are 48 PhD (8%), 113 BSc (19%) and 434 BSc (73%). * Agricultural Institute for the South is situated in HCM city and has total of 139 people working in the field of livestock research. Of which 73 people have graduate and post-graduate degree levels. There are 10 PhD, 20 MSc and 43 BSc (58%). * National Institute for Veterinary Research is situated in Hanoi and has 182 staff. Of which, there are 21 PhD, 19 MSc and 68 BSc. Beside of that, there have been research workers from universities of the Education and Training Ministry such as Hanoi Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture of Can Tho University, Hue Agricultural University, research centers belonging to commodity companies such as Bee Research Centre, Veterinary Research Centre etc. The typical characteristics of the MARD agricultural research system in general and in livestock sub-sector in particular are given below: - Un-suitable structure of the staff, 75-80% researchers are BSc level while in other country it is at least 60-70% researchers having PhD or MSC qualification. Moreover, it is also un-balanced among disciplines, Say, in livestock research, almost research workers are in nutrition. 13 - High concentration at two major cities (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh) - Lack of research workers in the fields of high technology as bio-technology. This field has been developed quickly in the world and makes a great contribution to the production. 4.2 The Government Budget for Research - Investment for agricultural research has been paid attention from the Government and is increasing by 11-12% per year (as Government’s commitment with International financing institutions as WB, ADB). Total budget for agricultural research in the year 2001 was 189 billion VND (including salary and overhead expenditure of the research institutes). This increased to 504 billion VND in 2010. - The average national budget for livestock is about 28-30 billion VND (for research only) representing 14-15% of total MARD budget for research. 4.3 The Weakness in Livestock Research Firstly, Lack of Well-Developed Strategy in Livestock Research Till now, there has been no well-developed strategy for livestock research at institute level or ministry level with scientific bases on objectives, directions and research priorities including research plans for various periods of medium term (5-10 year) and long term (15-20 year). This is very important for both researchers and managers in doing research and making investment decisions as well as allocating research budget. Secondly, Weak Research Capability In recent times the terms capacity and capability building have been used frequently and probably mean the same. Based on different ideas found in the literature, science capability (for individual or organizations) consists of: Science capacity (people, funding, buildings, equipment); Science quality (including review of methodology); Science project management; Utilization of science findings; and, The generation of new ideas, foresights and innovation. Together these are components of Science Reputation (Figure 1) Science Capacity Science Quality Science Project Management Utilisation of Science Findings Generation of new ideas, Foresight and innovation Reputation 14 - On Science Capacity: The research staff of Vietnam on livestock is not enough and weak in both quality and quantity. There are a total of 776 staff to work in the field of livestock research for a country with 3 thousands km long and 8 Bio-ecological regions. In addition, it is estimated that not more than 50% of these staff are actively involved in research. The rest work as research supports in departments/divisions such as accounting division, research management, international relations) or working as technical workers at the research centers or stations. So, it is impossible not only to carry out study, but also to know issues need to be studied at different localities. In addition, the headquarters of 3 major research institutes are at two major cities (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), it is hard to find the name of several provinces as research and technology transfer sites. For example Bac can and Lao in the North, Quan Nam, Quang Ngai in the Central and Ca Mau, Ben Tre in the South. The other important aspect of the research is lack researchers in high and sophisticated technologies, notably in biotechnology. As the analysis shows, over 70% research workers only have a BSc qualification, almost of them are educated locally, with limited foreign languages, few chances to access knowledge and skills from outside their location including the region or province of the country. So it is very difficult for them to generate research ideas as well as to know about new and sophisticated research tools and methods - On Science Quality: In recent years, thanks to invest for building and upgrading research infrastructure and opening to the world through international collaboration, some studies with the help of equipment and high knowledge have been conducted to solve complicated problems such as production of recombinant vaccine against the HPAI developed by using the recombinant DNA techniques where recombinant H-encoding gene was designed to express the H5 antigen or study on the determination of nutrient requirement for maintenance and production and so on. - On Utilization of science findings: much of the research undertaken is only at the process of observation and findings, but not applied into production. The results are kept on shelves gathering dust. The reason for this probably originates from education (It seems that students are educated on the concrete technique) and then followed by lack of comprehensive skills to connect techniques into technology, then into production chains and finally into value chains. - On Generation of new ideas, foresight and innovation: as previous analysis of the Science Capacity, it is hard to find research ideas generated from such research staff. It is true that not more than 50% of research issues are generated from researchers in the research institutes. Research ideas generated by researchers are normally not presenting to the production needs and are interest rather than demand driven. In addition much of the research is fragmented and the application of larger multi-disciplinary product based research programs is weak. - On Science Project Management: It is sure that Vietnam research workers lack management knowledge and skills. The management process of the research circle is not fully understood. In general, it would take much time for the reputation of the Vietnam research to be recognised at regional or international levels. Thirdly: Low investment in livestock research 15 As cited data and information, there is quite low in investment for research in Vietnam and in agriculture in particular. Although the research budget has increased in the recent years, but it is a long way away and will take much time to achieve the target of spending 1.5% GDP for research, As it is well known that investment for research in Vietnam is now at 0.7% GDP and in particular the allocation of the research budget for livestock is much lower than livestock’s contribution to GDP. Fourthly, Inadequate and insufficient mechanisms and policies for research Research management is now very administrative and there is less attention to final research outputs and impacts. Financial management is extremely complicated. Decision 115/2005-NĐ- CP issued has been considered as effective tool and creative solutions for research activities. Unfortunately, it has been showed insufficient attention and is difficult for researchers and research organizations to apply over the last 5 years due to the requirements of existing Laws such as Financial Law, Labor Law etc. MARD is for the key body in the application of the Decision and tries to get support from other ministries to enable the research institutions to apply Decision 115. Unfortunately, it has not received the needed support from relevant ministries, mostly from the Ministry of Finance. On the other hand, the existing laws, policies do not provide enough support and encouragement of research activities in order to mobilize potential resources for research. Fifthly, Lack of information and linkages between research and production Current there is a very poor in information and knowledge management and transfer system for science and technology. That is why research findings/results do not reach to the next level and final users. As above analysis, several factors affecting to the problems are lack of budgets for doing research dissemination and lack of linkages between research institution and extension organizations.