DOI: 10.36347/sjebm.2017.v04i07.005

Pages: 425-430

In Vietnam, numerous earlier studies have concentrated on milk chain. But it seems that none of them has tackled upgrading the milk chain, while milk is a fresh food, highly subject to spoilage and hence waste. Dairymen are affected by the harsh natural conditions of high temperatures, humidity, and heavy seasonal rains. Thus, they are confronted with increased risk and vulnerability. Therefore, this study aimed at using SWOT analysis to get insight into the milk chain in Vietnam in a case study in Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province and suggest some strategy for upgrading the milk chain in this area. The data came from standard questionnaires in a survey of all chain actors in the region. The result shows that milk chain in the study site includes 19 dairy farmers, 01 milk collector, 01 dairy plant, and many milk distributors. Formal milk distribution channel starts from dairy farms to milk collector, dairy plants, to wholesalers/retailers and to the consumers. Dairy farmers have a good motivation to develop their dairy herds but they suffer from high feed cost. The dairy plant has the highest power The study also presents some recommendation for upgrading strategies for actors in the short and long term, which could improve the skills, capacities, competitiveness of each actor and for the whole chain.