A regional initiative is helping smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia raise chickens that are more productive, resilient and better suited to local farming systems and markets.

The Asian Chicken Genetic Gain (AsCGG) project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), has entered a new phase (2025–2029), following earlier work in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Scaling improved chicken breeds in Vietnam and Cambodia

In Vietnam, trials from the first phase showed that imported chicken breeds outperformed indigenous ones, producing up to three times more eggs than indigenous breeds while remaining adaptable to local conditions. Farmers also reported improvements in income, household nutrition and women’s participation in poultry production.

A farmer in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam tests new chicken breeds on her farm under the AsCGG project (photo credit: ILRI).

In Cambodia, the Participatory Indigenous Chicken Breeding Improvement Program (PICBIP), particularly for the Skouy chicken, has improved growth, survival, and egg production, with hatchability exceeding 70%. Community-based breeding systems also helped strengthened local supply chains and income opportunities for farmers.

Building on these results, project partners met in October 2025 to identify priorities for the next phase, including scaling improved chicken genetics, strengthening biosecurity, improving market access and integrating nutrition, gender, and environmental considerations.

Project launch at Vietnam Institute of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (photo credit: ILRI).

Dith Tina, Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries visits a farm of Participatory Indigenous Chicken Breeding Program (PICBIP) in Takeo Province in 2024 (photo credit: ILRI).

Supporting poultry sector development in Lao PDR

The project is also contributing to poultry sector development in Lao PDR, where low productivity, disease risks, and reliance on imports continue to constraint the sector. In October 2025, ACIAR supported a consultation workshop contributing to the development of Lao PDR’s poultry development strategy for 2026-2035, focused on improving access to quality breeds, feed, vaccines, and veterinary services.

Siriphonh Phithaksoun (second from left), deputy director general of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) chairs the consultation meeting in Lao PRD (photo credit: ILRI).

In March 2026, the AsCGG project was officially launched in Lao PDR at the National University of Laos in conjunction with the visit of ACIAR Commissioners and leadership to celebrate 35 years of Lao–Australian partnership in agricultural research.

The event brought together representatives from the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), National University of Laos, ILRI and ACIAR, including ACIAR Commission Chair Fiona Simson and ACIAR CEO Nick Austin.

The launch reflected a shared commitment to strengthening sustainable poultry production and improving livelihoods in Lao PDR and across the region through research, innovation and regional collaboration.

Source: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Original article: “Developing profitable chicken production systems for Southeast Asian farmers”
Originally published: 30 April 2026
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Original source: Link