Dairy consumption in the GMS has grown dramatically over the past 20 years, and has accelerated in the past 10 years. In response to growing demand dairy production, both large-scale and smallholder, within the region has also grown at pace. This is particularly true of Viet Nam. The smallholder dairy industry in Vietnam, and specifically Soc Trang province. Between 2004 and 2014 the Soc Trang dairy herd increased from 477 head to 6161 head. The Evergrowth Cooperative had established a milk collection point in the province and were working closely with smallholder dairy farmers to establish delivery of consistently safe, high quality milk to market. However, milk yields remained low in Soc Trang relative to the national average, 3660kg/head versus 4000-4600kg/head. Furthermore, growth rates and reproduction rates were low. It was recognized that sustainably improving the productivity of smallholder dairy production in Soc Trang would have wide-reaching implications for smallholders in Viet Nam and the GMS more widely by allowing them to compete in this expanding market.
