The Central Committee of Việt Nam Youth Federation and DSF Vietnam Co. on May 31 launched a programme called "Support Farmers – Price Subsidy to Consumers" to help farmers sell their unsold pigs at reasonable prices.

The programme aims to sell pork at subsidised prices to stimulate consumption, Nguyen Thi Thu Van, permanent deputy chairwoman of the federation’s Central Committee, said.

Many activities have been undertaken to support farmers overcome the difficulties caused by a sharp decrease in pig prices, but the situation has not improved much, she said.

To run until the end of June, the programme includes many activities like fairs and setting up booths to sell pork at subsidised prices in five provinces and cities, HCM City, Dong Nai, Can Tho, Binh Phuoc and Binh Duong.

Through its website at www.porkpork.vn, the programme will buy pigs from farmers at VND30,000 a kilo and sell at a price of VND35,000, but buyers have to buy pieces of pork weighing 18-20 kilogrammes, Nguyen Tuan Khoi, managing director of DSF, said.

Van said the initial purpose of the programme is to help pig farmers sell their unsold products, while in the long term it aims to encourage farmers to continue breeding to prevent a shortage of pork and help them breed pigs based on plans and market demand and production chains to ensure quality.

She also called for co-operation and support from businesses, especially those involved in farming pigs and processing pork, and locals.

Tran Tien, deputy general director in charge of the animal feed business at C.P Viet Nam, the first company to support the programme, said after cutting pig feed prices by VND200 per kilogramme, the company is now set to increase pork sales at supermarkets.

It would also increase processing of ready-to-eat products like sausages and others, he said.

It has cold storage space to rent out for storing pork, he said.

His company is willing to supply pork without profits to fairs under the programme to stimulate demand, he said.

The programme also calls on enterprises, especially those that are members of the federation, and the Viet Nam Young Entrepreneur Clubs in provinces and cities that have kitchens for workers to consume more pork. — VNS