Vietnam Eyes the Sky in Pig Farming Revolution

Vietnam’s livestock industry is on the brink of a bold transformation as the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment pushes forward a groundbreaking proposal: raising pigs in high-rise buildings. The plan promises to revolutionize pork production by slashing land use, cutting costs, and catapulting the country’s pig farming sector into a new era of high-tech efficiency.

Source: Vietstock

Leading the charge is BAF Việt Nam Agriculture Joint Stock Company, which has unveiled an ambitious blueprint to construct a six-storey smart pig farming complex in Tây Ninh. In collaboration with China’s Muyuan Group—the world’s largest pig farming enterprise—BAF aims to house 64,000 sows and churn out 1.6 million pigs annually. The project, with an estimated investment topping VNĐ12,000 billion (US$457 million), is expected to generate nearly VNĐ13,000 billion (US$495 million) in annual revenue and pay for itself in just over five years.

Inspired by China’s vertical pig farming success—where more than 2,000 multi-storey farms now produce over 30 million pigs a year—Vietnam is setting its sights on the sky to meet rising domestic demand. Pork remains the cornerstone of the national diet, accounting for more than 60% of total meat consumption, and Vietnam ranks fourth globally in per capita pork intake.

What sets this model apart is not just its height, but the deep integration of cutting-edge technology. AI, blockchain, automation, and real-time monitoring systems come together to detect disease early, track weight gain precisely, and streamline herd management. Each floor of the complex functions like a high-tech factory, where even waste becomes an asset. Advanced treatment systems turn pig waste into organic fertilizer while cutting water use and environmental impact. A four-layer air filtration system removes 95% of odors and sterilizes outgoing air—crucial for keeping deadly diseases like African swine fever at bay.

With land-use efficiency increased fourfold and a single worker able to manage up to 2,000 pigs, the model represents a seismic shift from traditional farming methods. It not only addresses urban land shortages but also aligns with national goals for digital transformation and sustainable agriculture.

As the country gears up to produce 5.2 million tonnes of pork this year—making it the sixth-largest producer worldwide—Vietnam is preparing to go vertical. If approved, this pilot project could mark the beginning of a new era where skyscrapers house not offices, but the future of food.