August 30, 2012

FrieslandCampina invests US$15 million on dairy farming improvement

In order to improve dairy farming practices and product quality, FrieslandCampina Vietnam has invested over US$15 million over the past 17 years into various programmes.

FrieslandCampina first came into Vietnam under the Dutch Lady brand in 1924. Its two production facilities are located in the northern province of Ha Nam and southern province of Binh Duong.

According to the firm's statistics, there are currently more than 3,100 farms and local households in Binh Duong, Cu Chi, Long An, Thu Duc and Soc Trang, supplying over 60,000 tonnes of raw milk annually.

FrieslandCampina has supported farmers in adopting the Good Dairy Farming Practices (GDFP) as well as an inspection system based on international standards to control the quality of fresh milk. It also has other programmes, such as installing refrigerated milk tanks at farming areas or milk-collecting agents, and bringing in new technology models to raise dairy cattle.

With this assistance, the average daily fresh milk yield has increased from 11.4 kilogrammes per cow in 2005 to 13.2 kilogrammes per cow in 2011, bringing the profits to 22-28% in 2012.

Additionally, the company is launching cooperation models with local authorities, residents and partners to develop areas of sustainable dairy cattle farming in the country's north.

Ranked the second dairy producer in the Southeast Asian country after Vietnam Dairy Products Corporation (VNM) or Vinamilk, FrieslandCampina Vietnam plans to build as many as 300 modern dairy cow farms by 2020, which will be capable of producing 80,000 tonnes of fresh milk a year.