Investing in technology and environmental treatment in concentrated livestock farms

Recently, some concentrated livestock farms in the province have caused environmental pollution such as discharging wastewater into the environment, causing bad odors, etc. Departments, branches and localities have increased inspection, supervision and handling; at the same time, provided guidance on solutions to overcome this situation.

 

Pollution remediation

 

Phu Yen currently has about 280 pig farms, of which 23 concentrated farms are under the provincial authority to approve environmental impact assessment reports, 51 farms are under the district authority to issue environmental protection commitment certificates, the rest are small-scale facilities in residential areas, household scale.

 

The development of concentrated livestock farms is an opportunity for localities to transform from small-scale to large-scale livestock farming, using modern, advanced intensive livestock farming systems. However, in reality, in recent times, these concentrated livestock farms have caused many pollution problems such as discharging untreated wastewater into the environment, generating bad odors, etc.

 

The relevant departments, agencies and local authorities have increased inspection and supervision of farm operations and strictly handled violations. However, the environmental pollution problem has not been completely resolved, affecting the living environment and causing frustration for people living near the livestock farming areas.

 

The Department of Agriculture and Environment regularly coordinates with departments, branches and localities to review and evaluate the compliance with environmental protection laws for livestock farms and facilities. In addition to administrative sanctions, the Department of Agriculture and Environment and localities also require establishments that violate the law to correct violations and provide guidance on solutions to overcome environmental pollution.

 

Regarding the dairy farm of Phu Yen High-tech Dairy Farm Company Limited (Son Hoa district), through inspection and survey, it was found that there was still a foul odor in the barn area and the manure separation area, with a slight localized foul odor within the farm premises, not spreading to the surrounding environment.

 

According to Mr. Luu Hoai Nam, General Director of Phu Yen High-Tech Dairy Farm Co., Ltd., the company has implemented a number of solutions such as increasing the frequency of spraying biological products in locations where odors arise, covering them with nets and increasing the planting area, creating green belts to minimize odors spreading into the environment. In order to reuse wastewater, the company's farm has been granted a certificate of livestock wastewater use for crops by the Center for Testing, Inspection and Certification of Livestock (Department of Livestock).

 

Regarding the pig farm of Phuc Huy Gia Lai Company Limited (Son Hoa district), the company had a dialogue with the people about the odor from the farm. After the dialogue, the company implemented solutions to limit the odor such as planting 4 hectares of trees to create an odor-blocking corridor; increasing the frequency of spraying biological products to reduce odors at times when people have comments. However, up to now, there is still a slight odor in the area behind the barn exhaust fan and the manure separation area, which is only localized within the farm premises and does not spread to the surrounding environment.

 

Mr. Phan Dinh Huy, Director of Phuc Huy Gia Lai Company Limited, said: The company has installed a second-layer nozzle system after the exhaust fan to limit odors. The company also learns and absorbs odor treatment methods from scientists and farms with similar operating models, and at the same time implements solutions to minimize odors.

 

Investing in technology, ensuring the environment

 

Currently, in the province, there are a number of pig farms interested in investing in technology to treat odors emitted into the environment. The CPF pig farm in Hon Ong village, Son Phuoc commune (Son Hoa district) has a capacity of raising 6,000 pigs for meat, but currently only raises about 2,000-3,000 pigs. Previously, this farm also generated odors, but for about 2 years now, thanks to the application of 3-core technology in environmental treatment, there is no longer any odor emitted into the environment.

 

Mr. Huynh Nhat, owner of CPF pig farm, proposed a solution: The three-point technology includes switching to low-protein animal feed products; treating odors from the barn before the fan is used to exhaust them outside; and using a manure separator and presser. Applying a low-protein diet will significantly reduce emissions. The farm has ordered probiotics to be mixed at the factory, helping 100% of pigs eat the yeast and maximize the effects of probiotics.

 

At the end of 2023, CPF pig farm cooperated with a company in Japan to install an automatic air deodorization system from the cooling system and inside the barn, applying deodorization technology using activated carbon combined with biological products. The spraying system is set to operate automatically according to many time frames during the day, helping to actively handle odors. Under the rapid absorption effect of activated carbon, when sprayed into the air, it will adhere and transform, condense odor-causing substances in the air, helping the air in the barn to be fresh, and the odor after the exhaust fan will be significantly reduced. In addition, biological products will last longer, inhibiting odor-causing bacteria.

 

The farm has also invested in a modern manure separator that helps separate 95% of the dry matter in the manure mixture. After separation, the water is put into the biogas system and composted for 30-45 days. This technology helps reduce 90% of the gas in the biogas system, reducing emissions to the environment.

 

Mr. Huynh Nhat added that currently, the CPF pig farm produces about 500-600kg of manure per month. The farm provides this manure for free to local people to fertilize their crops, especially sugarcane that uses this manure grows and develops very well. Currently, many sugarcane growers in the area have registered but the amount of manure provided is not enough.

 

According to Mr. Vo Ngoc Thieu in Hon Ong village, Son Phuoc commune (house near CPF pig farm), more than 2 years ago, the stench from CPF pig farm often spread out within a radius of 1-2km, polluting the environment and affecting people's lives. In the past 2 years, this farm has handled the stench better, and people's living environment is less affected.

 

To minimize and limit the characteristic odor at concentrated livestock farms in the province, in 2024, the Department of Agriculture and Environment invited a team of environmental experts in the field of livestock farming from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to conduct a field survey at a number of farms.

 

“Through the survey, the expert team noted odor reduction solutions for livestock farms that have caused environmental pollution, and continued to point out locations where odors are likely to arise so that businesses can continue to implement solutions. The expert team from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology also proposed feasible and appropriate solutions that can be applied at livestock farms in the province,” said Mr. Nguyen Thai Hoa, Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Agriculture and Environment.  

The Provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Agriculture and Environment to continue to strengthen coordination with departments, branches and localities in inspecting concentrated livestock farms, especially pig farms across the province (periodic and surprise inspections) to promptly detect, prevent and avoid environmental hotspots.

 

Comrade Ho Thi Nguyen Thao,

Member of the Provincial Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee

MR. NGOC

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/82/326462/dau-tu-cong-nghe-xu-ly-moi-truong-o-cac-co-so-chan-nuoi-tap-trung.html