An Analysis of the Goat Value Chain from Lao PDR to Vietnam and a Socio-Economic Sustainable Development Perspective

Title
An Analysis of the Goat Value Chain from Lao PDR to Vietnam and a Socio-Economic Sustainable Development Perspective
Publication Date
2023
Author(s)
Bui, Thi Nga
Nguyen, Huu Van
Nguyen, Xuan Ba
Le, Van Nam
Nguyen, Thi Mui
Thi Kim Ngo, Cuc
Ngo, Quyen Thi Le
Hoang, Nam
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2938-1209
Email: nhoang3@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:nhoang3
Morales, Luis
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6935-9634
Email: lmorales@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:lmorales
Don Nguyen, Viet
Olmo, Luisa
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8175-8216
Email: lolmo@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:lolmo
Walken-Brown, Stephen
Le, Thi Thu Huong
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
MDPI AG
Place of publication
Switzerland
DOI
10.3390/su151813781
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/59238
Abstract

Goats are produced in Laos on a small scale and most of them are exported to Vietnam, where they receive a price approximately 30% higher than Vietnamese crossbred goats. In 2021, Laos exported 2.2 million dollars in sheep and goats, mostly to Vietnam (2.19 million dollars). Vietnam was also the fastest-growing export market for sheep and goats of Laos between 2020 and 2021, comprising 66.7% of the total exports. This study aims to analyze the goat value chain from Laos to Vietnam and, based on its characteristics, to suggest policy interventions for the socio-economic sustainable development of the chain. This research analyzes a sample of 400 survey interviews of goat chain actors collected during the second and third quarters of 2022, with the support of CommCare software version 2.53.1. The results show that the Lao goat chain has four main functions implemented by four prominent actors: goat-rearing farmers, traders, abattoir owners, and restaurant owners. However, the role of input suppliers is unclear in this chain. Support to the stakeholders has been provided by local authorities and the government, projects and NGOs, technical supporters, and license supporters. There was not any clear evidence of the goat processing industry. Vertical and horizontal linkages between stakeholders exist, but agreements are primarily oral. There is no declaration of leading actors, and a traceability system has yet to be implemented. The increase in Lao goat exports to the Vietnamese market is driven by the high demand from Vietnamese consumers. The commercialization of goats’ yields provides a positive net income in Lao, where all actors benefit, especially traders and restaurant owners. The chain also creates job opportunities and income that improve living standards, especially for disadvantaged groups, such as women, middle-aged people, people with low literacy, and those living in rural areas. For the sustainable development of the chain, this research recommends that the Lao and Vietnamese governments work together to develop more favorable conditions for goat trading, to improve the traceability across the goat chain, to promote goat husbandry and feeding practices, and to foster goat farmer collaboration by sharing goat-rearing experiences.

Link
Citation
Sustainability, 15(18), p. 1-20
ISSN
2071-1050
Start page
1
End page
20
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International

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