Last October 26 to 30, 2023, a team of researchers from the College of Economics and Management of UPLB conducted a benchmarking activity in Vietnam as part of the key activities of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project titled, “Ex Ante Analysis of the PCAARRD Industry Strategic S&T Plans for Muscovy Duck for 2022-2028.” The main objective of the trip was to validate the assumptions related to the indicators used in the proposed specific interventions for Muscovy duck, including ISP baselines, benchmarks, and targets.

During the visit, the team interviewed key officials from the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,  experts/researchers from Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, duck raisers, retailers, and restaurant owners. The team also visited duck farms, wet markets, and supermarkets where muscovy duck meats are sold. 

The team was headed by Asst. Prof. Ma. Nova Nguyen from the Department of Economics (DE). She was joined by Assoc. Prof. Maria Luisa Valera (also from DE), Asst. Prof. Ruby Jane Estadilla (from the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics), and Ms. Jamela Arizapa and Ms. Mary Rachel Guinto, the Project Technical Assistants. Dr. Alfredo Parungao, the Duck Industry Strategic S&T Plan (ISP) Manager of DOST-PCAARRD, also joined the team during the benchmarking activity. 

The benchmarking activity was made possible with the help and support from DOST-PCAARRD, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, and the National Institute of Animal Sciences under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, among others. Ma. Nova R. Nguyen, Ruby Jane C. Estadilla, Mary Rachel D. Guinto, Jamela L. Arizapa, and Maria Luisa G. Valera