Soc Trang has 814 swiftlet houses, an increase of 85 houses from 2023

Since 2018, swiftlet farming has been acknowledged as a sector of livestock production. Following to that time, the swiftlet agricultural sector has experienced substantial growth in 42 out of 63 provinces and cities. As a result of the Mekong Delta's high economic value, a considerable number of families have invested significantly in the construction of large-scale swiftlet houses.

Clustered closely along Provincial Road 934, which passes through My Xuyen town, My Xuyen district, Soc Trang province, are vibrant swiftlet houses.

One of the homeowners stated that their swiftlet house, which covers approximately 280m2, produces an average of 2 to 4 kilograms of nests per month and has been in operation for over 15 years. At the moment, unprocessed swiftlet nests are valued at an average of 18 to 35 million VND/kilogram.

Meanwhile, during the farming process, people do not incur feeding costs, given that the swiftlets inhabit their natural habitat. As a result, producers realize substantial returns on their investments within a concise timeframe of one to two years.

Based on data from the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health of Soc Trang province, the current count of swiftlet houses in the entire province stands at 814. This represents an approximate 85-house increase in comparison to the corresponding period last year. The swiftlet population in these houses has remained consistent over the years at over 281,000. The annual average produce of swiftlet nests is approximately 9 tons when measured with this scale.

In the coastal region of Vinh Chau town, which is one of the two areas with a significant concentration of households involved in swiftlet farming, numerous enterprises have made audacious investments in machinery and technology to manufacture a diverse range of processed goods. These products, including pre-prepared swiftlet nests flavored with pandan leaf and cordyceps militaris mushroom, are among the many that have been recognized as 3-star OCOP products.

Vinh Chau town presents an estimated 1.7 tons of swiftlet nests to the market annually, of which 184 have been constructed by 160 households. In order to promote the sustainable development of swiftlet farming in alignment with local planning, the Economic Department of Vinh Chau town has been implementing measures to improve the administration of swiftlet house construction.

Concurrently, endeavors are undertaken to conserve the extant swiftlet populations, guarantee environmental security, and prevent the spread of diseases in regions designated for swiftlet cultivation. It is recommended that households implement scientific and technological progress in their manufacturing procedures so as to distinguish their products in terms of quality, packaging, and labeling.

In light of the alarming trend in illegal hunting and the depletion of swiftlet populations in certain regions across the country, the Provincial People's Committee of Soc Trang has been advised by the Department of Livestock and Veterinary of Soc Trang to develop strategies and enhance the implementation of anti-illegal hunting measures. Furthermore, there is an increased focus on providing information to households involved in swiftlet farming through the establishment of identification codes and swiftlet farming area codes, which serve to streamline management processes.

Mr. Lam Minh Hoang, Director of the Department of Livestock and Veterinary of the province of Soc Trang, added that in order to increase the export of swiftlet nests and safeguard the healthy development of swiftlet populations, the sector increases disease surveillance on swiftlets. The circulation of avian influenza viruses H5N1 and H5N6 within swiftlet populations is a matter of particular concern. Alone, 495 samples were gathered in 2023.

In addition, the sector conducts surveys and compiles statistics annually regarding fluctuations in total swiftlet populations, leading farms, breeding grounds, and nest extraction to assist individuals in comprehending and developing the farming profession sustainably.

Prior to this, on February 28, 2022, the People's Council of the province of Soc Trang issued Resolution N0.3, which regulated swiftlet farming zones and prohibited livestock farming zones within the province. Swiftlet agricultural regions are required to be situated beyond the geographic limits of local governments, wards, districts, and cities within the province. Moreover, swiftlet dwellings are required to be situated a minimum of 300 meters from the area's administrative boundaries.