Abstract: Pork is the most widely consumed meat in Vietnam, making up 56% of total meat intake (OECD 2016). While pork production can support food security and improve livelihoods of many smallholder farmers, pork production can also have substantial health consequences. This issue has led to policies that favour industrialization and hinder smallholder access to markets. Yet, recent research suggest that smallholder value chains can be not only efficient, but also safe (ILRI 2012). There is a need for better understanding of disease risks and food safety in smallholder pig value chains. ---  In response to this need, an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded project entitled “Reducing disease risks and improving food safety in smallholder pig value chains in Vietnam” (PigRisk) was launched in August 2012. This five-year project aims to improve participation in, and incomes from, smallholder pig value chains. ---  PigRisk is led by ILRI in collaboration with Hanoi School of Public Health (HSPH) and Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA). PigRisk has achieved several outputs to date, including: maps of value chain actors; assessments of production constraints of pig producers; estimates of health risks along the pork value chain; costs of economic burden of pork-borne diseases; students trained; and publications and presentations. Currently, the team is developing and implementing interventions to positively influence behaviours of value chain actors and improve food safety. --- PigRisk was designed to build capacity in assessing and managing health risks; and in strengthening collaboration between disciplines. This brief highlights the PigRisk approach, as well as some key outcomes achieved by PigRisk in building capacity and collaboration up to March 2016.

Free full text https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/72926/ResearchBrief_64.pdf.