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Vietnam Poultry Association drives sustainable growth in the sector.

Poultry

Vietnam’s poultry industry is moving toward greener and more sustainable practices, marking a significant shift from traditional farming methods.

The Vietnam Poultry Association (VPA) outlined its plans for 2026 during its 2025 annual review conference held on March 6 in Ho Chi Minh City. The past year has been a turning point for the sector, signalling a clear commitment to sustainable and efficient production systems.

The VPA currently has 318 members, including 103 enterprises and cooperatives alongside 215 individual members. Over 2025, the association strengthened its governance by introducing 15 internal regulatory frameworks, consolidating six specialised committees, and opening a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City. These measures enhanced operational efficiency, transparency, and support for members.

Nguyen Quy Khiem, VPA Vice Chairman and General Secretary, said the association actively assisted member enterprises through communication campaigns, seminars, trade fairs, and both domestic and international trade promotion initiatives. These efforts have helped businesses expand partnerships and access new markets.

Member enterprises continue to play a central role in the poultry value chain. In 2025, they produced an estimated 530 to 550 million day-old chicks, accounting for 65 to 70 percent of the national supply, including 310 million coloured-feather chickens, 120 million white-feather broilers, and nearly 100 million ducklings. These products met domestic demand and were exported to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

VPA members also dominate poultry feed production, holding 60 to 65 percent of the domestic market. Several companies have developed large-scale veterinary medicine and vaccine production, exporting to over 50 countries and territories. Investments in modern slaughtering and processing lines have created fully integrated value chains, improving the overall value of poultry products.

A key achievement in 2025 was stabilising the market amid misinformation about ‘fake eggs’. The VPA worked closely with authorities and media to restore consumer confidence. Egg prices recovered from around US$0.05–0.06 per egg to US$0.07–0.08 by mid-year, and currently range between US$0.09–0.10.

At the conference, Chairman Nguyen Thanh Son noted upcoming challenges, including global market volatility, rising input costs, import competition, and stricter environmental and animal welfare standards. In response, the VPA plans to strengthen trade promotion, expand exports, provide more training for members, and continue supporting sustainable growth in the poultry industry.

VIV Health & Nutrition Asia 2026 Brings the Industry Together in Bangkok(Image credit :VIV Health & Nutrition Asia)

Event News

VIV Health and Nutrition Asia 2026 concluded on a strong note in Bangkok, bringing together professionals from across the animal feed and health sector for three engaging days.

Held from 10 to 12 March at BITEC, the event ran alongside VICTAM Asia, GRAPAS Asia, and Horti and Agri Asia, creating a shared platform that welcomed 10,639 visitors from 73 countries. This marked a notable rise in attendance compared to the previous edition and reflected growing interest across the region.

The exhibition space was equally impressive, with 300 exhibitors spread across more than 17,000 square metres. The event attracted a high number of senior decision makers, with VIV Health and Nutrition Asia alone welcoming 125 industry leaders, reinforcing its role as a focused and influential meeting point for the sector.

The co-location of four specialised events played a key role in the success of the show. Each exhibition brought its own audience while allowing visitors to explore a wider network of ideas and solutions. From animal nutrition and feed production to grain processing and agri technology, the event created a natural flow of conversation across different areas of the supply chain.

International participation added further depth, with strong representation from countries such as Japan and South Korea. The presence of global organisations and academic institutions also enriched the discussions. Experts addressed key industry concerns including African Swine Fever, alternative proteins, digital farming, and antimicrobial resistance, offering practical insights for professionals working in the field.

The conference programme stood out as a major highlight. Built around sustainability and innovation, it featured 73 speakers across more than 34 sessions. Topics covered poultry, aquaculture, cattle, and swine, with a clear focus on real world challenges and solutions. Sessions on laboratory practices, sustainable shrimp farming, and nutrition strategies in aquaculture drew strong interest, reflecting the industry’s shift towards more responsible and efficient practices.

Natasha Hall, Vice President of VIV Worldwide, said, “This edition marks a defining moment — one that reflects not only the growth of this platform, but the momentum of an entire industry. The dedicated national pavilions from Japan and South Korea, two of Asia’s most dynamic and innovative markets, speak volumes about the rising international confidence in what this event represents. Their presence underscores a shared belief that collaboration across borders is essential to shaping the future of the sector, and we look forward to the ideas, connections, and opportunities their participation brings.”

Jeroen van Hooff, CEO & President of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs and VNU Group, added, “These days were not just about sitting and waiting, rather, they were about walking the floor, having the conversations that had been in the pipeline for months, finding the solutions that brought attendees here, or discovering ones they never anticipated.”

He adds, “To the exhibitors who placed their trust in VIV Health & Nutrition Asia: the investment of time, budget, and team did not go unnoticed. The commitment was to deliver a qualified audience, a well-organized event, and the best possible conditions for business to happen. To the visitors who made the show what it was: their decisions, the feed purchased, the technology adopted, the partnerships formed, are what shape the entire animal protein value chain. Three days well spent, and we remain dedicated to evolving our show format alongside the needs of our community. We look forward to building on what we have created here in the editions ahead.”

AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx 2026 Set to Unite Asia's Agricultural Community in Bangkok. (Image credit: AGRITECHNICA ASIA)

Event News

Bangkok is gearing up to host one of the most anticipated agricultural events on the Asian calendar.

From 20 to 22 May 2026, AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx will return to BITEC, bringing together farmers, technology providers, policymakers, and agribusiness professionals from across the globe under one roof.

Organised by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) in partnership with the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and with Germany serving as the official partner country, the event is expected to draw more than 18,000 professional visitors from over 75 countries. With upwards of 350 exhibitors and more than 100 international speakers lined up, the programme promises to be both broad and substantive.

The exhibition floor will feature some of the biggest names in agricultural machinery and technology. Companies such as CLAAS, AGCO/Massey Ferguson, Mahindra, KUHN, and Amazone will be present alongside precision agriculture innovators including DJI, XAG, and Topcon. Eight national pavilions will also showcase the export strengths and capabilities of their respective countries. Shin Gil Kim, President of KAMICO and organiser of the Korean pavilion, said,"We are pleased to participate in AGRITECHNICA ASIA, one of Asia's leading agricultural technology exhibitions, this May. The event provides an excellent platform to showcase Korea's advanced technologies and strengthen cooperation across the Asian market."

Running under the theme "Farm. Farmer. Future.", the 2026 edition introduces several new formats. For the first time, an official Startup Day on 21 May will support early-stage agricultural innovators across Asia, addressing practical challenges such as technical validation, community adoption, and investment readiness. The programme is backed by organisations including Thailand's National Innovation Agency, Bosch, and the Technological University of Munich Venture Labs.

Dr. Kritsapong Boonrit, Executive Director of Thailand's National Innovation Agency, said, "Global connectivity links international markets, builds partnerships, and facilitates business matching within the ASEAN region."

A new Applied Technology Trophy will recognise proven agricultural solutions with real relevance to Asian farming conditions, while the Future Farmers Program places farmers firmly at the heart of the event through awards, knowledge sharing zones, and guided exhibition tours. Seed and Farmer's Day on 22 May rounds off proceedings with a dedicated focus on crop improvement and farmer participation.

African Farming

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LightWeeding enables farming innovation

The LightWeeder is an agri-robot that can kill weeds using a unique concentrated light method. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Earth Rover, a UK based agri-robotics company and Agri-EPI Centre member, has developed the LightWeeder to solve key challenges faced by laser-based weeding systems

The LightWeeder is said to be the world’s first eye-safe, herbicide-free, carbon-neutral, commercially viable weeding system. The LightWeeding technology uses semiconductor LEDs to solve key technical, safety and commercialisation challenges faced by laser-based weeding systems.

The LightWeeder is part of CLAWS (Concentrated Light Autonomous Weeding and Scouting), an agri-robot that can kill weeds using a unique concentrated light method, and can also scout fields to obtain a complete data map of all crops after planting, showing the crops exact location, size, and any early signs of disease.

The main features of CLAWS are:

  • Weeding – chemical-free and inherently safer than laser weeding. No till and no crop damage and can be used in any conditions without compacting the soil.
  • Scouting – In-depth analysis of crops to allow better harvest predictions and increased yields.

The complete system is ultra-lightweight at 300kg, meaning it requires low amounts of energy to run, and is also claimed to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than many of its competitors. The system currently runs on batteries and in future, solar panels therefore uses no fossil fuels and help farmers meet their net-zero targets.

With increasing types of chemical-resistant weeds, a significant downturn in availability of hand labour plus a shift in society towards more organic options, now more than ever there is a need to change the way we farm. A recent report by Rothamsted Research shows weeds pose an unprecedented threat to our food security and highlights the need to diversify weed control as an urgent priority.

As explained by John Taylor, farm director at Pollybell Organic Farm, “The key element here is that the LightWeeder not only makes chemical-free farming more effective but it also solves the huge issue farmers are facing today in terms of the huge loss in the labour force. Being able to weed fields autonomously means that food production doesn’t just grind to a halt.”

According to Earth Rover, LighWeeder is energy-efficient and no-till and does not cause damage to drip irrigation or crops. It is also not dependent on soil conditions and does not enable weeds to develop resistance. 

 

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Crops

Australian Government Review of Horticulture Code of Conduct.

Agriculture

The Australian Government has announced an independent review of the Horticulture Code of Conduct to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the needs of the horticulture sector.

The review will be led by Mr Chris Leptos AO. He will consult with growers, traders, industry representatives and government agencies across the supply chain. A consultation paper will be released to invite feedback and submissions from stakeholders.

Horticulture is Australia’s third largest agricultural industry. Production value is forecast to reach 18.9 billion dollars this financial year, with exports expected to reach 4.4 billion dollars.

The Horticulture Code of Conduct regulates trade between growers and traders of wholesale unprocessed fruit, vegetables, nuts and herbs. It was last reviewed in 2015.

Central wholesale markets are supplied by about 10,000 growers and serviced by more than 400 fruit and vegetable wholesalers. Around 13 million sales transactions take place each year, covering 4 million tonnes of produce valued at more than 8 billion dollars.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Julie Collins MP, said: “The Horticulture Code of Conduct was designed to protect our growers and traders who are responsible for so much of Australia’s incredible fresh food,” she said. “The horticulture sector has changed since the Code was last reviewed in 2015, and we want to understand if the Code is still fit-for-purpose. This is an important opportunity for growers, traders, and stakeholders from across the horticulture supply chain to have their say and to ensure we continue to improve transparency and accountability.”

Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities, and Treasury, Andrew Leigh MP, said: “Fair competition is the foundation of a strong horticulture sector,” he said. “The Horticulture Code exists to stop unfair dealing and keep the playing field level. From the first handshake to the final invoice, we expect growers and traders to deal in good faith. Strong competition isn’t just good economics—it drives innovation, efficiency, and better outcomes for growers and consumers.”

A final report will be provided to the government by the end of April.

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Livestock

GEA takes AI dairy farming to the next level with New Belfast Software Lab.(Image credit: GEA)

Livestock

GEA has opened a brand new software development lab in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marking a bold step forward in its mission to reshape modern dairy farming through technology. Housed at The Innovation Centre, the lab will bring 20 new roles in software development and UX design to the region, all dedicated to advancing GEA's flagship AI livestock solution, CattleEye, alongside its wider digital farming portfolio.

CattleEye is no ordinary piece of kit. The system is built to detect and predict lameness in cattle at an early stage and gather vital data on body condition scores, giving farmers the kind of precise, timely insight that can genuinely change how they manage their herds. Already active on more than 140 farms spanning the UK, Europe, the United States and Australia, the technology is currently keeping watch over more than 200,000 cattle across 23 countries as part of GEA's DairyNet herd management platform.

GEA acquired CattleEye in 2024, and the Belfast expansion represents the next chapter in embedding that technology deeper into its farming ecosystem. "With our new software lab in Belfast, GEA is strengthening its role as a technology leader in digital dairy farming," says Andreas Seeringer, CEO of GEA Farm Technologies. "By improving animal health and well-being through AI-based solutions like CattleEye, dairy farms become more efficient, more sustainable, and ultimately more profitable. That is why we commit to accelerating development in this area, driving technology innovation in our digital herd management solutions."

Northern Ireland was a natural fit for the venture, given its deep rooted dairy farming heritage and a tech sector that is quietly making a name for itself. Terry Canning, CattleEye co-founder and Senior Director at GEA, describes what the lab means in practice: "The new software lab will be a significant milestone in integrating CattleEye fully into our state-of-the-art herd management systems and will extend our digital footprint in farming. In the future, farmers can expect features which help reduce additional investments in equipment and necessary animal treatments. It will also help customers to farm more efficiently and cut greenhouse gas emissions through automated data insights."

Regional development agency Invest NI, backed in part by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, is supporting the project financially. Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at Invest NI, was clear about what it signals: "This investment in R&D is a vote of confidence in our talent, infrastructure and capabilities in Northern Ireland. The benefits of investing in R&D are rich, and the CattleEye solution is a testament to how R&D can further develop innovative products which can drive competitiveness in the global agri-tech market."

Vietnam Poultry Association drives sustainable growth in the sector.

Vitarich and Novogen collaborated to boost egg production in the Philippines.(Image credit: Vitarich)

Equipment

Rainbow Colors pioneering hydrogen technology in agriculture. (Image credit: New Energy Coalition)

Equipment

A tulip forcing company in the Netherlands is breaking new ground in clean energy.

Rainbow Colors, based in Andijk in North Holland, has installed a solid oxide electrolyser to produce green hydrogen. Project partners say it is the first agricultural business in the world to apply this advanced technology. With a capacity of one megawatt, the system is also among the largest operational solid oxide electrolysers currently in use, marking a major step forward for hydrogen development in North Holland North.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Danish technology firm Dynelectro, while Dutch company Ekinetix is responsible for building the required infrastructure. The installation forms part of the regional programme Fieldlab Waterstof in de Agri, which focuses on creating a hydrogen network tailored to the agricultural sector.

Rainbow Colors has been involved in the initiative since 2023 as a pilot site for hydrogen production. By using surplus solar energy along with battery storage, the company aims to ensure a steady and reliable supply of hydrogen. The technology partners explain that solid oxide electrolysers are more efficient and experience less wear than conventional systems. Their longer operational life and improved performance are expected to lower the overall cost of hydrogen production. The system also offers a practical response to grid congestion, while increasing access to clean energy within the region.

The installation is described as pioneering not only because it is the first of its kind in agriculture, but also because it ranks as the third largest operational unit of this type worldwide. It is expected to serve as a model for other agricultural businesses seeking solutions to high energy costs and limited grid capacity.

Beau Broen, project leader at New Energy Coalition and coordinator of the hydrogen pilot projects within Fieldlab Waterstof in de Agri, said: "It is impressive to see how international innovation comes together in this project. By implementing Dynelectro's electrolyser at project partner Rainbow Colors, the region is taking an important step towards decentralized hydrogen production. It also provides an economic boost by making affordable green hydrogen available. The project underlines the innovative role North Holland North plays in the energy transition."

With this facility now operational, locally produced green hydrogen becomes available in the Netherlands, helping to address the balance between supply and demand. By using surplus renewable electricity, hydrogen can be produced for less than ten euros per kilogram and used locally. The wider programme brings together businesses and knowledge institutions across North Holland North, positioning the province as a leading hydrogen region and showing that emission free energy solutions are already within reach for agriculture.

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Technology

Orbia Netafim and Amazon India Launch Water Saving Drip Irrigation Projects Across Bengaluru and Hyderabad. (Image credit: Netafirm)

Water & Irrigation

A new partnership between Orbia Netafim and Amazon India is set to deliver significant water savings through large scale drip irrigation projects across key agricultural regions in India.

The collaboration will help save nearly 325 million litres of water every year while supporting more than 110 independent farmers in the agricultural belts surrounding Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Announced on 27 February 2026 in Tel Aviv and Bengaluru, the initiative focuses on improving irrigation practices and addressing growing concerns around water security in these rapidly expanding urban regions. The programme will introduce modern drip irrigation systems across 80 hectares of farmland in western Bengaluru and 40 hectares in northern Hyderabad.

In Bengaluru, farms currently growing gourds and tomatoes will transition from traditional flood irrigation methods to more efficient drip irrigation systems. Around 70 independent farmers are expected to benefit from this shift. The change is projected to save approximately 175 million litres of water each year while maintaining crop productivity and improving irrigation efficiency.

In Hyderabad, a similar transition will take place across 40 hectares of maize and vegetable farms, benefiting roughly 40 farmers. The project is expected to conserve about 150 million litres of water annually in the region.

The initiative also contributes to Amazon’s wider environmental commitments. By supporting improved irrigation methods, the company is working towards its goal of becoming water positive in India by 2027. This means returning more water to communities than is used in its direct operations.

Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Operations, Amazon India and Australia, said: "This initiative focuses on practical solutions that make a measurable difference on the ground, helping farmers improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems while contributing to water security in water-stressed regions. We're committed to such collaborations as part of effort to support responsible water use in India”.

Water resources in both Bengaluru and Hyderabad have come under increasing pressure in recent years. In Bengaluru, participating farms rely on water sources linked to the TG Halli Reservoir, which also supplies several residential areas, commercial districts and Amazon facilities across west and north Bengaluru. In Hyderabad, farmers draw water connected to the Kondapochamma Sagar reservoir, an important part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of crops in measured amounts. This method reduces evaporation, runoff and unnecessary water use, which is especially important in regions experiencing irregular rainfall and declining groundwater levels.

“We are proud to collaborate with Amazon on this important initiative, which demonstrates how precision irrigation can deliver real impact for farmers and communities alike,” said Max Moldavsky, Director of Innovation and Climate Solutions, Orbia Netafim. “By helping farmers transition to drip irrigation, we are improving water efficiency, strengthening livelihoods, and contributing to broader water security efforts. This project reflects Orbia Netafim’s long-standing global commitment to water stewardship and climate-resilient agriculture.”

This marks the first collaboration between Amazon India and Orbia Netafim focused on urban water challenges in India’s fast growing cities. Building on previous irrigation modernisation projects in Karnataka, including the Ramthal Community Irrigation Project, Orbia Netafim continues to promote practical and scalable solutions that improve water management while supporting both farming communities and urban water security.

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