Livestock farming in Nghe An rising due to TH Group's 'lead'

Pioneering technology in agriculture

With investment consulting from Bac A Commercial Bank, TH Group launched the project in October 2009 with a total funding of $ 1.2 billion.

The first cluster of farms was built in Nghia Dan Town, Nghe An Province, covering a planned area of 8,100 ha, followed by operational farms in Thanh Hoa and Phu Yen.

In addition, TH Group is continuing to develop a network of farms in Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Kon Tum, and An Giang..., all aimed at providing a large quantity of fresh, pure, high-quality milk to meet domestic demand and legally export to potential markets such as China and ASEAN...

The first cornerstone in the chain of connections is the TH dairy farm in Nghia Dan District, which simultaneously manages the processes of growing grass, raising dairy cows, and producing fresh raw milk.

The imported breed consists of high-quality purebred HF cows, primarily imported from the United States. By applying a systematic feeding and care process, the farm has achieved remarkable success in milk production, with an average yield of 36 liters/cow/day, rated as the highest in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

At this facility, each dairy cow is fitted with a chip and managed through computer software (which oversees estrus management, alerts and detects mastitis four days in advance, categorizes cows, manages breeding, and tracks milk yield and quality). Additionally, an automated, closed milking system is utilized to ensure the best quality control of the milk; cows are also bathed and listened to music.

Another crucial link in the chain is the TH fresh milk processing plant, equipped with the most advanced technology and production lines in the world. Its primary responsibility is to process and package various clean fresh milk products and dairy products for distribution.

The plant, built on an area of 5.2 hq and inaugurated in July 2013, has a capacity of 500 million liters/year (equivalent to 1,300 tons of fresh milk/day). It features 27 automated production lines, managed by leading-edge measurement and control technologies from Siemens, Danfoss, and pump technology from Grundfos...

Experts agree that the emergence of TH has played a significant role in the development trajectory of the domestic dairy farming industry, helping to rapidly increase the number of dairy cows in Vietnam while significantly reducing the proportion of liquid milk produced from reconstituted milk powder (from 92% in 2008 to 40% in 2023).

Statistics show that TH Group has undergone a remarkable transformation in just 15 short years. Despite achieving impressive accomplishments, the group "does not rest on its laurels"; instead, it aims for even longer-term goals.

This brings us to the "Strategy for Developing the Livestock Sector Nationwide for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision towards 2045." The goal is to raise the total dairy cattle herd to 650,000 - 700,000 head by 2030, with about 60% of the dairy cows raised on large-scale farms. Additionally, the aim is to produce 1.7 - 1.8 million tons of milk per year by 2025, increasing to 2.6 million tons by 2030.

Currently, TH has a total dairy cattle herd of approximately 70,000, with around 45-50% of the cows producing milk regularly. The average milk yield is 35 liters/cow/day during peak season, equivalent to 11,000 liters/cow/year.

With the simultaneous operation of a network of farms across the country and ongoing efforts to promote investment in other projects, along with strong collaborations with millions of farmers, the group is confident in its substantial contributions to achieving the goals of the national livestock sector.

From the perspective of the head of agriculture in Nghe An, Mr Phung Thanh Vinh, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, affirmed that TH Group's agricultural projects have significantly transformed the rural landscape in the locality, altering the agricultural production structure and the local economic structure toward industrialization and modernization, increasing productivity, quality, and efficiency in farming.

Awakening the fertile Phu Quy land

The Phu Quy area in Nghia Dan district (Nghe An) boasts fertile red basalt soil and abundant freshwater resources, making it a region rich in potential and advantages for developing agriculture, particularly high-tech agriculture.

For a long time, this area was like a “sleeping beauty,” as the cultivation of citrus and industrial crops (oranges, sugarcane, coffee, rubber, etc.) did not yield the expected results, and the land's advantages remained largely untapped.

However, with the involvement of TH Group through a closed production chain project from green pastures to clean milk (including raw material regions, animal feed production plants, dairy farms, milk processing plants, and TH True Mart distribution systems), everything has changed. Since then, the mindset and economic efficiency have undergone a noticeable transformation.

The crystallization of results does not come from mere slogans; instead, it requires a seamless intertwining of strategies, potential, and ambition.

It should be noted that TH Group is a pioneering enterprise in applying high technology to agricultural production, demonstrated by a series of advanced, world-class technologies (Afifarm cattle management from Afimilk; veterinary management from TotallyVETS - New Zealand; feed formulation and management from Israel (RationAll and One1); drinking water filtration for cows from Amiad - Israel; wastewater treatment Aqua - Netherlands; compost processing technology from SunEarth - Japan…) all aimed at maximizing the potential of land, crops, and livestock in Nghe An, particularly in the Phu Quy region.

"With the presence of TH Group, the dairy cattle industry in Nghe An has made significant breakthroughs in both quantity and quality. TH Group has created a difference by pioneering research and applying technology to ensure self-sufficiency in dairy cattle breeding, contributing to the successful implementation of the strategy for developing the dairy cattle herd in the national agriculture sector and specifically in Nghe An province. TH has opened up a high-tech agricultural revolution, directly changing outdated farming practices, thus promoting agricultural production and economic development in the western region of Nghe An", emphasized Mr. Phung Thanh Vinh.

In addition to dairy cattle, TH Group has established close cooperation with sugarcane farmers in Nghe An by providing scientific and technical support, seeds, fertilizers, and more, helping to dramatically increase local sugarcane yields.

From practical experience, it is evident that TH Group's agricultural projects simultaneously satisfy two core factors: they address the employment needs of a large workforce while also making important contributions to the local budget.