A new ACIAR-funded project will investigate how Vietnam's smallholder livestock farmers can benefit from the country's rapidly growing commercial beef sector. With 100 million people and a 35% upsurge in domestic demand for beef products over the last 5 years, Vietnam presents a significant opportunity for livestock farming communities to improve their livelihoods. At the same time, Vietnamese consumers have also raised their expectations around hygiene, food safety and nutrition. Meeting these stricter standards will be critical for Vietnamese smallholder farmers to maximise economic return. ACIAR Research Program Manager, Agribusiness, Mr David Shearer, said the commercial beef market is currently dominated by large, vertically integrated agribusinesses, leaving little windows for smallholders to participate. "This new initiative will provide insights to increase the chance for smallholders to benefit from the fast-growing beef sector of Vietnam, improving livelihoods and ...