Developing poultry farming in Binh Xa

Pham Thi Van, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Ham Yen Bau Duck Cooperative, located in Hamlet 13, Minh Quang village, Binh Xa commune, is widely regarded by people as a “female general” in poultry farming. Behind her small, simple and approachable appearance is a resilient woman who has overcome numerous hardships to build an effective production model, enriching not only her own family but also creating sustainable livelihoods for many others.

Pham Thi Van taking care of her family’s poultry flock.

Born and raised in Binh Xa commune, Van has long been familiar with rural life. Before choosing poultry farming as her long-term career, she tried her hand at many livelihoods such as trading agricultural products, building brick kilns and raising pigs. There were times when she earned significant profits, but she also experienced total losses due to epidemics and production risks. These setbacks became valuable lessons that strengthened her determination.

Taking advantage of a clean natural water source, she developed poultry farming, particularly the Minh Huong bau duck - a local specialty. In the early days, due to a lack of experience and veterinary knowledge, her flocks frequently fell ill, at times suffering mass deaths, pushing her into nearly VND 1 billion in debt. Instead of giving up, she actively sought knowledge, applied scientific and technical advances, and received direct guidance from veterinary experts on disease prevention and treatment.

Thanks to proper technical application, careful selection of breeds, attention to farming environments and clean water sources, her production gradually stabilized. Currently, her family maintains between 5,000 and 10,000 poultry of various types. In July 2021, she established the Ham Yen Bau Duck Cooperative with 10 members, building a close linkage model that supports farmers with breeds, feed, technical guidance and product consumption.

The cooperative’s poultry and breeding stock are now marketed in many provinces, while Minh Huong duck eggs have been certified as a three-star OCOP product. In recent years, Van has earned profits of over VND 1 billion annually, while also creating regular jobs for local workers and contributing to increased incomes for farming households.

Having overcome numerous challenges, Van has affirmed the mettle of a true “female general” in poultry farming, becoming a pillar of support for many farmers in developing a sustainable rural economy.

Ly Thinh