Despite realizing shortcomings in swiftlet farming regulations, competent agencies seem confusing and the change was sluggish.
Localities get confused due to unclear regulations
Mr. Pham Van Hau, Chairman of Dak Lak Bird’s Nest, disclosed that Resolution No. 09/2021 of the Dak Lak Provincial People’s Committee regulates the restriction areas for swiftlet farming in the divisions, centers of communes, and districts, which are located less than 300 meters from residences. In other words, the enabling area is located outside the restriction area.
Nevertheless, the Resolution’s implementation in lower-level localities has been misinterpreted as a result of the ambiguous planning of the farming region. At present, municipalities are hesitant to grant permits for the construction of swiftlet farming areas.
The government is confused in handling and granting permits to build bird’s nest houses. Photo: Quang Yen.
Consequently, the majority of swiftlet houses are either without permits, or individuals who wish to invest in the field encounter difficulty in obtaining a swiftlet house permit due to the reluctance of local authorities. Mr. Hau asserts that the Resolution of the Dak Lak appropriates Resolution No.13/2020; however, the bird’s nest industry has not yet been prepared for sustainable development due to investors’ uncertainty regarding the planning of the farming area and the granting of permits.
“The Dak Lak Bird’s Nest Association suggested that local authorities should establish specific zoning plans for farming areas to enable individuals to confidently select suitable farming areas.” Mr. Hau stated that to guarantee the steady and sustainable growth of the swiftlet farming industry, local authorities should be more proactive in issuing permits.
Mr. Ngo Van Thang, Vice Chairman of the Ea Sup District People’s Committee, stated that the swiftlet farming industry in the district is progressively expanding, but it is primarily spontaneous. He also mentioned that significant investments are being made in the construction of houses to attract swiftlets. Currently, a significant number of swiftlet houses are situated in residential areas, where people use their homes to attract swiftlets.
Ea Sup district has favorable conditions to develop bird’s nest farming, but the locality is facing many difficulties. Photo: Quang Yen.
Management is complicated by the absence of zoned areas for swiftlet attraction, as per Mr. Thang. Inadequate, imprecise, and lagging behind the development of swiftlet attraction activities, the conditions, procedures, and guidelines for managing swiftlet attraction continue to present management challenges.
Some households have promptly exploited the situation to unlawfully expand the upper floors in order to attract swiftlets while issuing permits for the construction of individual houses. Furthermore, in accordance with regulations, the detection of swiftlets that are attracted by speakers necessitates the use of devices that can quantify their volume. At present, the local authorities lack the requisite apparatus to execute this management task.
Bird’s nest farming is developing in Dak Lak, so the government needs specific instructions for sustainable development. Photo: Quang Yen.
Changes are suggested by local authorities
According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Giao, the Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cư M’gar District, swiftlet houses must be located 300 meters from residential homes following Resolution 09/2021-NQ HĐND. Nevertheless, Mr. Giao emphasized that the suitability of the areas 300 meters from residential houses for swiftlet cultivation remains uncertain, even if this regulation exists.
“Swiftlets are wild animals, and the areas that are designated for them may not necessarily be the same as the areas in which they thrive, and vice versa.” Swiftlet houses are prohibited in non-designated regions. This circumstance is distinctive and necessitates specific regulations from the central government. Clear standards should be established when construction is authorized. The practice of combining residential houses with swiftlet farming is currently pervasive, which poses a potential risk for the spread of diseases. This is due to the fact that swiftlets are unable to be caged like other domesticated animals, as Mr. Giao shared.
Similarly, Mr. Phan Hoang Lam, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Krong Buk District, asserted that the swiftlet farming industry provides economic advantages to the populace. Nevertheless, the development of swiftlet houses in the area is currently beset by numerous obstacles.
“Swiftlets are incapable of being manipulated following individual preferences; rather, they must adhere to their natural instincts. At present, there are only general guidelines. Consequently, the provincial People’s Committee establish regulations or advise specific guidelines from the central government for the construction and farming of swiftlets”, Mr. Lam recommended.
Mr. Ngo Van Thang, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ea Sup District, stated that the region is appropriate for the advancement of the swiftlet farming industry. The swiftlets are not adversely affected by the district’s comparatively flat terrain, temperate climate with stable temperatures throughout the year, and reduced susceptibility to storms and natural disasters.
Mr. Thang suggested that the provincial People’s Committee instruct pertinent departments to request the Vietnam Bird’s Nest Association to conduct a survey, assess the efficacy, and determine whether or not to develop the swiftlet farming industry in the district.
Mr. Thang also recommended that the provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, and People’s Committee establish specific mechanisms for the construction and attraction of swiftlets in Ea Sup District. “In order to facilitate the implementation process for both individuals and management agencies, we require specific guidance on the scale and structure of swiftlet houses, as well as the zoning areas for swiftlet attraction.” The provincial People’s Council’s resolution on areas where farming is prohibited, zoning for swiftlet attraction, and policies supporting the relocation of farming facilities from prohibited areas to more favorable ones should be considered while considering the specific and practical conditions of Ea Sup District. Additionally, the resolution should be amended and supplemented.
“The district has vast land areas, low population density, and currently lacks suitable crops or livestock. Therefore, the development of swiftlet houses should be considered as a means of livelihood for the people, as well as a means of building a brand and establishing an association and OCOP products from swiftlet nests,” Mr. Thang stated.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Duong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak Province, has stated that the central government has not yet issued specific regulations or guidelines regarding the technical standards for swiftlet houses, farming procedures, or investment and construction procedures for swiftlet houses. This has resulted in challenges in local management.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Duong has identified the region as one of the provinces with substantial potential and advantages for the production of high-quality bird’s nest products and swiftlet dwellings. Consequently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recommended that the provincial People’s Committee promptly approve the “Project for the Development of the Bird’s Nest Industry in Dak Lak Province.” The objective of this initiative is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the province’s potential, advantages, and development opportunities.
This initiative will facilitate the rapid and efficient development of the bird’s nest industry in the province by facilitating the implementation of effective solutions in local government administration. The objective is to improve the value addition and sustainable contributions to the livestock industry, agriculture sector, and overall economic and social development of the province in the upcoming period.
Author: Minh Quy – Translated by Linh Linh
Source: vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn
