Having a positive change in life by farming livestock along the value chain

The year was 2021. Thuan’s family was one of many households in Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa participating in a support program sponsored by Mavin Group and World Vision International. Their life turned to a positive change after receiving training in biosafety and disease-safe farming techniques. Thuan and the family also received 100 chickens and sufficient animal feed to improve their economic conditions.

“My father used to be jobless, often drinking alcohol and wandering around the village. Every time he got drunk, my father would scold my mother, and I felt scared seeing that scene. Life was difficult, the family's economy mainly depended on the money my mother earned from working as a hired laborer. Four people in a thatched house. Every time it rained, water leaked through the roof, leaving the whole family without a place to sleep, restless on windy nights," said Thuan, remembering the old days.

Participating in the livestock farming model along the value chain supported by Mavin Group, Thuan's father finally gained a meaningful daily job, taking care of chickens according to the instructions of officials and experts. This also helped him drink less alcohol.

Just as Thuan thought life had changed for the better, misfortune arrived. The family’s thatched house suffered an electrical short circuit and burned completely. After one night, all the family's assets from the house to essential items were gone, left with only piles of ash.

The local government caught wind of the story of Thuan’s family and called for support from society. After that, the village community and organizations including World Vision International supported Thuan's family in many ways, helping them stabilize their life.

Thanks to such timely support, Thuan and his brothers did not have to drop out of school midway. Receiving the help of organizations, relatives, and neighbors, Thuan's family also borrowed some money on their own and rebuilt the house. Now, Thuan lives in a beautiful small house with his family, with separate rooms and desks for him and his brothers to study.

Overcoming those challenging circumstances, in 2023, Thuan’s family receives more support from Mavin Group with 100 breeding ducks and a large amount of feed, not to mention sustainable farming technical instructions which helps the family implement the livestock model effectively.

To ensure healthy ducks reach farmers and reduce losses during the handover process, Mavin has supported brooding ducks up to 3 days old and made basic vaccines available. Before being handed over to farmers, the ducks are also closely monitored to ensure the best health conditions, agility and uniformity.

There are clear discussions and assignments among Thuan and the family members to take care of the ducks in the best way possible. As his mother has to work outside all day, Thuan’s father is in charge of watching over the ducks. “We have the most plump and beautiful flock of ducks in town thanks to my father's care. The family plans to save the money from selling the ducks to continue reinvesting in the new flock of ducks while leaving out a part of the money to buy books for me and my brother," Thuan gleefully shared his story with the project staff. When asked about his dream, Thuan said he would try to study hard to become a useful person for society. “I also hope to help my family and later help children in difficult circumstances like my family in the past”.

“Mavin Group is extremely proud to continue working closely with World Vision International to do good deeds for the local community in Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa, especially through support programs to improve both the livelihood and livestock farming capacity of local people at the same time. Our goal is to help them better understand livestock farming techniques, biological safety and disease safety standards, particularly the value chain business model.

“The cooperation program to promote livestock production along the value chain is within the framework of the Livelihood Support Project for poor households - Phase I (2019 - 2021). The model has been implemented in Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa. Hundreds of farming households have escaped poverty, mastered pig, chicken, and duck farming techniques and approached the sustainable livestock production concept. In 2023, the model enters the second year - phase II (2022-2024) with a total budget of over VND 2 billion,” said David John Whitehead, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mavin Group.