December 7, 2009
Yeast trial to remove odours gains positive reviews in Vietnam's pig farms
Swine farmers in northern provinces of Vietnam are trying the use of micro-organism yeast where it has reportedly removed some of the unpleasant smells in pig farms.
Nguyen Van Phuc, owner of a pig farm in Nam Son Commune, Soc Son District, Ha Noi, is delighted to reveal that his pig farm no longer smells, and more importantly his pigs seem larger and healthier than before.
He is using the micro-organism yeast experimentally produced by the University of Agriculture No 1, on his pig herd.
The yeast has also increased the average size of his pigs. A two-month old pig has averaged between 20kg to 23kg, a large improvement on their average weight of 17kg, few months after it has grown.
Associate Prof Nguyen Xuan Trach, head of the Husbandry and Aquaculture Raising Faculty of the University of Agriculture No 1, said the project started in June with financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The project was launched after experts and farmers went to China and learned the process. They were presented with some samples of the yeast used in Chinese farms.
The yeast is mixed with corn flour and poured evenly on the floor of the pigsty. The mixture allegedly leaves pig waste largely free of odour and seems to have contributed to the pig's general health.
The yeast is also being tried at two other farms in Red River delta Nam Dinh and Hung Yen provinces, where both the sample taken from China and yeast produced by the project group are used for comparison.
Dr Nguyen Thi Tuyet Le, who is in charge of technical assistance for the project, said the yeast produced in Vietnam was proving its effectiveness. However, more time will be needed.
The price of the yeast will be 8 to 10 percent lower than the yeast imported from China, Le said.
Director of the project, Associate Prof. Bui Quang Tuan said that the project's result will be examined by December and the yeast would be produced in mass quantities if it proves successful.
