In the past, the residents of Luận Khê Commune (Thường Xuân District, Thanh Hóa Province) mainly relied on subsistence farming, leading to unstable incomes and difficult lives. However, everything changed with the introduction of the Mavin duck farming project. The Mavin breed, with its many advantages, has sparked positive changes, like a flame warming the lives of the local people.
Luận Khê is a particularly disadvantaged mountainous commune in Thường Xuân District, Thanh Hóa Province. The residents’ livelihoods mainly came from subsistence farming and forestry, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.
In March 2022, Luận Khê Commune was invited to participate in a value-chain duck farming model supported by Mavin Group and World Vision International in Vietnam. Although duck farming was new to the commune, the enthusiastic support from World Vision and Mavin Group reassured farmers as they embraced sustainable agriculture. Field surveys, technical training, and on-site consultations by Mavin’s technical staff helped alleviate initial concerns.
Farmers in Thường Xuân District received Mavin ducks and training on farming techniques from Mavin Group and World Vision.
The Mavin duck breed has notable advantages over other poultry breeds in Luận Khê and Thường Xuân District. For instance, it has a short growth period (ready for sale in 45 days), a 75% lean meat ratio, doesn’t require a pond for farming, and attracts higher prices from traders who come directly to the commune to purchase. Initially skeptical, after three years of participation, farmers have become familiar with the sustainable model and are increasingly confident in the breed and the strict farming processes.
Farmers in Thường Xuân District are increasingly attached to and trust the Mavin duck breed.
After three years, the lives of nearly 400 poor and near-poor households have significantly improved. Farmers have become skilled in complex processes such as building biosecure pens, disease prevention, and duck brooding. Each farming season concludes with a review and sharing of lessons, which has led to improved income year by year.
Household incomes have improved annually.
Thanks to this model, many families in Luận Khê now have stable incomes (3,700,000 VND per duck batch after 45 days), allowing them to save for valuable items like motorbikes and TVs, and to better care for their children's nutrition and education.
Families are better able to provide for their children's nutrition and education thanks to support from Mavin and World Vision.
According to David John Whitehead, Chairman of Mavin Group, Mavin is proud to continue its partnership with World Vision to make a positive impact on local communities. “By supporting livelihood improvement, we are also enhancing the farming capacity of local people, helping them understand biosecure farming techniques and engage in a structured value-chain business model,” emphasized Mr. Whitehead.
“The Value-Chain Farming Cooperation Program is proof of our commitment to pursuing green agriculture, in collaboration with World Vision Vietnam, Mavin Group, local authorities, and communities, through biosecure and high-quality farming. In the long run, this will help the benefiting communities build a reputation in duck farming with traders and buyers, contributing to the program's sustainability,” shared Phạm Văn Vinh, Livelihood Program Manager at World Vision International in Vietnam.
Due to the project's success, this sustainable livelihood model is being expanded. Tân Thành Commune in Thường Xuân District plans to implement Mavin duck farming for 80 poor and near-poor households. With three years of experience from the collaboration between World Vision International and Mavin Group (2022-2024), the people of Thường Xuân are excited and confident in spreading this livelihood model to help 1,000 households escape poverty.
Since 2018, Mavin Group and World Vision have signed a Cooperation Agreement to Support Livelihoods for the Poor in Vietnam. With the goal of sustainable agricultural development and improving living standards, particularly for children in rural and mountainous areas, Mavin and World Vision have been implementing social welfare programs across many provinces, supporting poor households in improving their livelihoods. In 2024 alone, the two organizations provided 20,000 Mavin Cherry ducklings, 76 tons of feed, veterinary medicines, and materials, along with comprehensive technical training, helping farmers in Thường Xuân and Quan Hóa Districts master duck farming and sustainably escape poverty. The total sponsorship value for Thanh Hóa in 2024 is nearly 1.5 billion VND.
Read the article on Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper: "Raising Mavin Ducks: A Warm Flame in the Lives of Luận Khê Residents"