Providing advanced technology and teaching global standards while learning invaluable lessons from local farmers, a Dutch enterprise is on a mission to elevate Vietnamese agriculture to a higher position on the global stage.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre News, Johan van den Ban, general director of De Heus Vietnam said, “The talent of Vietnamese farmers is one of the key reasons why there are strong beliefs in the future of livestock and agriculture in Vietnam.”

De Heus Vietnam, part of the Netherlands' De Heus Group, is a major animal feed company featuring products for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.

It has achieved remarkable milestones over the past 15 years, including 25 percent of the group’s global production originating in Vietnam.

The company produces approximately three million metric tons of feed annually for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.

Every challenge is an opportunity

Van den Ban highlighted that Vietnam’s nearly-100-million population represents a massive domestic market for the livestock sector.

Focusing on the food processing industry, he believed Vietnam has the potential to become a major global player.

Beyond staples like fish and shrimp, which are already key export products, Vietnam has the opportunity to establish itself as a leader in poultry processing.

“Chicken and other poultry provide an excellent source of healthy protein at competitive prices. De Heus will seize this opportunity, which will further drive our growth in Vietnam and within the industry,” Van den Ban affirmed.

However, as a seasoned expert in both Vietnamese and international livestock industries, Van den Ban pointed out that Vietnam’s livestock sector must address several challenges before fully capitalizing on its opportunities.

Vietnam has a large sow herd, and the African swine fever is just one example of how diseases can severely impact the industry.

This disease has also posed significant challenges to the global agricultural sector.

He suggested that the most straightforward and effective approach would be to enhance farm infrastructure where animals are kept, warning that otherwise, owners risk, as he put it, "locking the barn door after the horse has bolted."

Furthermore, Van den Ban stressed that ensuring food safety in Vietnam demands a collective effort, aimed at reaching international standards for food safety.

The De Heus representative noted the company's ambitious goals of being the best, fastest, largest, and strongest in their efforts.

However, they acknowledged that these goals have not yet been achieved and emphasized the need for government support through stricter regulations to control processes from farm to table.

How do Vietnamese farmers compete internationally?

Despite having an extensive history of over 110 years, the company continues to be impressed by the creativity and ingenuity of Vietnamese farmers, who approach problem-solving in simple, cost-effective, and highly efficient ways.

Van den Ban noted that Vietnamese farmers are generally very intelligent and practical. They have effective solutions for nearly every issue.

“They are incredibly creative and inventive, doing things efficiently while keeping costs low,” he remarked.

He added that Vietnamese farmers are fully capable of competing on the international stage, although they still need support to understand the requirements and standards of major import markets.

Van den Ban proudly shared that De Heus provides farmers with training on updated farming methods, technical support, and high-quality breeds.

The company also helps connect Vietnamese farmers with markets as the next step in the value chain.

In this regard, he pointed out that today’s consumers expect more, raising the standards for quality, food safety, and traceability of the products they purchase.

“Our goal is to help farmers achieve sustainable economic development, which, simply put, means helping them make a profit. This is exactly what De Heus is doing," he said.

"Together with Vietnamese farmers, we are contributing to addressing the challenges of the livestock sector."

Van den Ban encouraged Vietnamese farmers to be more open and adapt to the world's changes, speaking of the sustainability criteria.

He noted that consumers now want more transparency, and the planet needs more protection.

The farmer's wisdom and creativity should be applied to tackle these issues.

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