A swallow nest farm in Thạnh Lộc Commune, Châu Thành District in the southern province of Kiên Giang. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Huy Hải

KIÊN GIANG — The People’s Committee of the southern province of Kiên Giang has planned to restrict swallow nest farms in crowded areas to prevent environmental issues and ensure the sustainable development of the sector.

The farms will not be developed in areas around markets, administrative office areas, residential areas, tourism sites or in border gate areas.

Those who want to open swallow nest farms must apply for permission and submit environmental impact assessment reports.

Without permission, people are not allowed to renovate offices, health care centres, schools or houses to raise swallows.

The province also has regulations on sounds used to lure swallows, hygiene and nest processing conditions.

Nearly 2,200 households in the province operate nest farms, mainly in the inner city and residential areas of Rạch Giá City, districts of Hòn Đất, Châu Thành and Kiên Lương, as well as Hà Tiên Town.

Most of the households renovated their houses to serve as farms and used loudspeakers to lure birds, which disturbed neighbours. Nest farming also led to unhygienic conditions.

For every 100sq.m of floor space, swallow farmers can get one to two kilogrammes of nests per month. A kilo of nests sells for about VNĐ35-50 million.

According to the province’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department, since the beginning of this year, the province’s farms have produced more than 3.1 tonnes nests. — VNS