Hanoi(VNA) – Experts and policy-makers from eight Southeast Asian countries gatheredin a workshop on “The Role of Livestock in the 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment in Southeast Asia” in Hanoi on November 16.

The event, held bythe International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), sought to enhancecurrent contribution of the livestock industry to the sustainable livelihoodand develop its potentials in the region.

Speaking at theworkshop, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanhsaid Vietnam has adopted the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agendafor Sustainable Development which promotes sustainable agriculture among itsgoals.

The country has beenimplementing agricultural reforms, including steps to improve added values oflivestock farming and at the same time, develop livelihoods of the farmers,protect the environment and ensure food safety, Doanh noted.

The livestockindustry grew about 4.5 – 5 percent annually between 2011 and 2016 andcontributed to around 30 – 32 percent of the agricultural earnings, he added.

Director of theNational Institute of Animal Sciences Nguyen Thanh Son said progress inlivestock farming plays a major part in achieving ten out of 17 SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs). He expected public awareness of the significance ofthe livestock industry to the SDGs will be improved in the time ahead whilethere will be more activities to encourage investment into the sector to maximizeits contribution to the SDGs.

Livestock helpsboost economic growth, creates incomes, and improve food security, nutritionand human health, said ILRI Director General Jimmy Smith, adding that researchand development activities and policy support programmes are able to transformsmall and medium-scale breeding farms in the region into more adaptive,efficient and dynamic food supply systems, bringing better opportunity forwomen and young people.

At the workshop,attendees shared experience and study findings about the growth of thelivestock in Southeast Asia and the regional countries’ priorities andinvestment plans for the sector to develop sustainably. They also discussedways to step up cooperation between the countries and organisations in theregion to address common challenges in the field.-VNA