Fermenting crop by-products for animal feed
Dual benefits
Implemented by the Viet Nam Farmers’ Union across 15 provinces and cities, the project has been running in Tuyen Quang since 2022, covering 09 communes in Yen Son, Chiem Hoa, and Tuyen Quang City. Using a hands-on approach, it educates and guides farmers on five environmentally friendly waste treatment techniques: fermenting crop by-products for animal feed, composting plant residues in fields, raising chickens on thick bio-litter, breeding calcium worms, and cultivating earthworms. These techniques not only enhance environmental awareness but also help farmers adopt sustainable waste management practices.
According to the project management board, farmers applying these techniques have seen an average profit increase of 25–30%, with input costs, such as animal feed, fertilizers, and pesticides, reduced by about 32%. Additionally, productivity in both livestock and crop farming has grown by 25–30%.
Shifting Mindsets
Over two years, the project has conducted two training courses for key farmer leaders, 46 technical workshops for nearly 1,190 farmers, and 06 study tours to waste management models inside and outside the province. More than 1,000 pilot models have been established, and over 4,000 models have since been replicated across the province.
One of the most significant outcomes has been a shift in farmers’ perceptions. Once unfamiliar with waste treatment techniques, many now see sustainable waste management as essential to both production and daily life. These eco-friendly practices have helped reduce production costs while fostering circular, sustainable agricultural models.
By integrating waste management techniques into daily farming activities, the project has contributed to environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and rural development, ensuring that green agriculture continues to grow in Tuyen Quang.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
