On 11 September 2026, Fresh Studio participated in the opening ceremony of Da Lat University’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, where it shared practical industry insights, internship opportunities, and career perspectives with students.
Fresh Studio participated in the opening ceremony of the 2026-2027 academic year at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of Da Lat University, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the development of future agricultural professionals in Vietnam.
During the business-student exchange session, Mr. Lo Xuan Dung, R&D Manager Crops at Fresh Studio, introduced the company’s activities and projects in Vietnam, its dynamic working environment, and the internship and career opportunities available to students. Since 2007, Fresh Studio has been active in Lam Dong Province and has played an important role in supporting the development of the agricultural sector both in Lam Dong and across Vietnam.
Through partnerships with organizations such as Da Lat University, Fresh Studio conducts applied research and development activities aimed at testing, validating, and introducing innovative agricultural technologies to growers. Within Vietnam’s horticulture sector, Fresh Studio has been at the forefront of introducing improved vegetable varieties, developing new vegetable market segments, promoting soilless cultivation systems, and advancing more sustainable production practices.
As an example of this commitment, Mr. Lo Xuan Dung highlighted the IPM Lam Dong Project, currently being implemented by Fresh Studio, Koppert, and Da Lat University in close cooperation with the Plant Protection Department of Lam Dong Province. The project supports the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biological control solutions, enabling farmers to apply safer, more sustainable, and environmentally responsible crop protection practices.
Dr. Cao Thi Lan, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, also presented a number of the faculty’s domestic and international cooperation initiatives, including the IPM Lam Dong Project (2025-2027). The project promotes Integrated Pest Management and biological control approaches as key components of safer and more sustainable crop production systems.
Fresh Studio additionally highlighted its internship program, which provides students with valuable hands-on experience through field activities, data collection, research support, and project assignments. These opportunities allow students to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical agricultural application while gaining exposure to real-world challenges and innovations in the sector.
Through its continued collaboration with universities and research institutions, Fresh Studio aims to strengthen the connection between education, innovation, and industry. By creating opportunities for students to engage directly with applied agricultural research and development projects, the company contributes to building the next generation of skilled professionals who will help shape the future of sustainable agriculture in Vietnam.
1. DeltaVax: Transforming the Mekong Delta Pangasius Chain
Fresh Studio is excited to introduce the DeltaVax project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing the pangasius and broader aquaculture sector in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The DeltaVax project is funded by the Impact Clusters subsidy scheme from the Netherlands, which aims to develop the private sector in developing countries.
Under the Impact Cluster program, knowledge, expertise and technology from Dutch or international companies, knowledge institutes, trade organisations and NGOs are brought together in a consortium (cluster). The objective of the Impact Cluster program is to facilitate the development and growth of the private sector in developing countries while ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth and a decent standard of work for all.
DeltaVax features a consortium of esteemed Dutch, Vietnamese, and international partners, including Fresh Studio, PHARMAQ, Can Tho University, De Heus, Alpha Aqua, and Kytos.
Figure 1. Demonstration Farm
Figure 2. De Heus Feed Bags
Figure 3. Pangasius seeds
2. Project Summary
The DeltaVax project seeks to significantly enhance the knowledge, skills, and technology access within Vietnam’s aquaculture sector. The primary goals include:
Capacity Building: Establish a “train the trainers” program, alongside a coaching service, to elevate the expertise of Vietnamese farmers, equipping them with the necessary skills for modern aquaculture practices.
Technological Access: Facilitate Vietnamese farmers’ access to cutting-edge technologies such as aquatic vaccines, qPCR disease diagnostic tools, and advanced water treatment solutions.
Figure 4. Kytos test
Innovation and Sustainability: Introduce groundbreaking technologies like Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) to foster sustainable aquaculture practices.
Fish Health and Welfare: Enhance vaccination practices within the sector to reduce disease prevalence and curtail the reliance on chemicals and antibiotics.
3. Key Activities
To achieve our objectives, the following key activities will be undertaken:
Conduct a comprehensive farm survey to produce an industry status and environmental impact report for the pangasius sector.
Develop and implement a practical, detailed training program designed for 25 extension workers.
Empower these extension workers to provide training, coaching, and monitoring services to 750 farmers across the Mekong Delta.
Demonstrate the effectiveness of technologies like vaccines, qPCR tools, and water analysis solutions on strategic farms in the region.
4. Expected Outcomes
DeltaVax is poised to create a significant impact, with the following expected results:
Economic Growth and Employment: A stronger business case and enhanced job creation for local partners, driven by sector growth, expertise development, and technology adoption.
Sustainable Employment: Direct and indirect long-term job opportunities in specialized areas such as water analysis and disease diagnostics.
Education and Youth Engagement: Modernization of aquaculture curricula, making the industry more appealing to the younger generation.
Environmental and Food Safety Improvements: A reduction in the environmental footprint and enhanced food safety through sustainable aquaculture practices.
Product Quality Enhancement: A notable improvement in the quality of Vietnamese aquaculture products as a result of decreased chemical and antibiotic usage.
Figure 5. Periodically check the fish’s length and weight
The DeltaVax project is a revolutionary initiative set to pave the way for a sustainable and thriving pangasius aquaculture sector in the Mekong Delta. Stay tuned to our website for updates and insights as we embark on this transformative journey.
The impact cluster: “DeltaVax” is funded by The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and consists of the following project partners:
PHARMAQ
De Heus
Alpha Aqua
Kytos
Can Tho University
Fresh Studio
For more information
please contact
Joe Pearce - Aquaculture Project Manager
On the 16th of May, the 2nd Poultry Training Centre (PTC) of the SAPA (Sustainable and Affordable Poultry for All) project was officially opened by the pro-rector of the University of Veterinary Science Dr Ye Htut Aung, the Chairman of the Nay Pyi Taw branch of the Myanmar Livestock Federation and the Agricultural Councilor of the Netherlands Embassy in Myanmar.
Before the official opening, the brand-new meeting room was used for a workshop with local broiler farmers, where the director of De Heus Myanmar, Mr Johan van de Ban, together with the De Heus farmer extension program manager Ms May Zin Myo (Jemi), introduced the SAPA project and the broiler farmer training program.
Dr Ernst Beitler from the AERES University of Applied Sciences from the Netherlands, a hands-on experienced broiler production specialist, explained to the workshop participants that within the SAPA project a choice was made to develop the Poultry Training Centres on carefully selected existing broiler farms. Based on a design of Dr Beitler, these farms were upgraded to be compliant with the minimum required level on biosecurity and hygiene, and being equipped with the required facilities to train the broiler farmers. The reason that the SAPA project has chosen for this model, is that the to be trained broiler farmers will learn in a real commercial farm setting. This is different from the usual model, where farmers are being trained in a demonstration farm, but which is not being managed as a commercial farm. As Mr Beitler mentioned: “Farmers are much more likely to adopt best practices and innovations which they see in a real commercial broiler farm, explained by a real broiler farmer, then from a farm which is only used for demonstration purposes”.
The most important criteria which were used in selecting an existing broiler farm for the upgrading to a PTC, was the motivation of the farm owner to receive other farmers, share information and understand the power of learning from each other. The selected broiler farmer for the 2nd PTC is Dr Ko Ko Naing. Dr Ko Ko Naing already has a lifetime of experience with poultry farming. His father was a layer farmer in the Irrawaddy Delta. Already from a young age Dr Ko Ko Naing was helping his father on the farm. With this background, it was a logical choice for him to study at the University of Veterinary Science in Yezin. After his graduation in 2001, he first worked five years for a feed company, which was also active as broiler integrator. This work experience gave him the confidence to start his own broiler farm from scratch. Together with his wife they successfully developed their farming business step by step, to the current production capacity of 150,000 broilers per cycle. With the money which they earned from the broiler farming, they invested in a small and basic broiler semi processing facility to supply the Nay Pyi Taw market.
Dr Ko Ko Naing passionately stated: “I joined the SAPA project and made one of my farms available to become a PTC, because I want to help the broiler farmers in this area. I also see this as a great opportunity to get my own staff well trained. I really want that the 300 broiler farmers in this area get the knowledge to build a good business”.
At the day of the opening most broiler farmers told that at this moment the broiler prices were relatively good, about 3,300 Kyatt/Viss, which is about 600 Kyatt/Viss above their cost price. Their biggest issue with which they have to deal with in this period is the heat stress of the broilers.
Dr Beitler responded to the heat stress issue mentioned by the broiler farmers: “This is why it is crucial for the future of the broiler sector in Myanmar that closed broiler housing systems will be developed, which will allow much better temperature control with special, but relatively simple, ventilation systems. Another big advantage of a closed housing system, is the much better biosecurity control”.
Sr Ko Ko Naing is indeed planning to invest in the first pilot closed housing system in the area to get experience with this. This will also be a very interesting pilot for the broiler farmers who are joining the training program. A lot of them have heard about closed housing systems, but have never been able to see one.
To develop closed housing systems will require access to finance, as most broiler farmers will not have enough capital at this moment to make such an investment. Although closed housing systems and access to finance is not in the scope of the SAPA project at this moment, the project partners will explore possibilities in the future to link existing and ongoing programs in Myanmar regarding credit for small holders to the SAPA project trained broiler farmers.
The opening event was ended with an announcement of Mr Johan van de Ban, that De Heus will develop a scholarship program for talented students to study at the University of Veterinary Science. In addition, the SAPA project and the University agreed to cooperate to develop an internship program which allows students to gain hands on practical experience. The pro-rector, Mr Ye Htut Aung, explained: “It will be a great opportunity for our students to get a chance to apply what they have learned in the university during an internship period.”
Immediately after the opening event, no time was wasted, as this was the starting point to train 250 farmers on the issues of farm management and bio-security. Crucial aspects in the breeding of a healthy chicken as stressed earlier. The training of the 250 farmers is not only taking place in NPT, but also in Mandalay, at the first PTC of the SAPA project, and in Yangon. Depending on the location of the farmer, he/she will be trained at the nearest location. The 250 farmers will be trained by fifteen veterinaries of the De Heus broiler farmer extension team, who are trained and supported extensively by Dr Beitler in broiler farming production practices. This training is one out of three training courses to be conducted to the 250 farmers, where after 500 farmers are being trained on similar topics.
This development is a result of the collaboration with project
SAPA (Sustainable and Affordable Poultry for All) aims at improving the food security and rural incomes of smallholder poultry and corn farmers in Myanmar through a public private partnership in which several parties are involved, including De Heus, Belgabroed, Fresh Studio, Aeres Group, Myanmar Livestock Federation and Yezin Agriculture University.
Figure 3. Pangasius seeds
Figure 5. Periodically check the fish’s length and weight
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