Bao Thang develops sustainable aquaculture.

The family of Mr. Nguyen Van Dung in Phu Hai 3 village, Phu Nhuan commune, Bao Thang district, has switched from traditional fish farming to farming catfish, one of the five specialty fish species with high economic value. Although the farming time is longer than other types of fish, it is currently favored by markets inside and outside the province.

Mr. Dung said: "The water environment here is also suitable for raising catfish. I heard that the market price of catfish is from 250,000 to 300,000 VND/kg."

fish farming

Mr. Dung invested in raising catfish – a specialty fish with high economic value – as an alternative to traditional fish farming methods.

Phong Hai Farm Town is a key area for aquaculture development in Bao Thang district. On average, the town sells more than 1,000 tons of commercial fish to the market each year, generating revenue of over 50 billion VND. Based on intensive farming experience, local people are gradually shifting from traditional fish farming models to specialty fish species that bring higher economic value, such as snakehead fish, catfish, crispy carp, and hybrid carp.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hop, Director of Phong Hai Fisheries Cooperative in Bao Thang district, said: "The cooperative also has more in-depth development orientations, such as improving the efficiency and value of commercial fish farming. Firstly, we will focus on raising red-tailed catfish and spotted catfish; secondly, we will convert areas with good systems to raise crispy carp."

The fisheries sector is considered to have strengths and significant potential for development in Bao Thang.

Bao Thang district currently has 860 hectares of water surface for aquaculture, an increase of more than 100 hectares compared to 2020. The average annual production reaches over 5,000 tons, bringing in over 200 billion VND in revenue for the local people. To support farmers in production, in addition to promoting the transfer of science and technology and raising fish in a bio-secure manner, the district also focuses on linking with businesses to find markets for their products.

Mr. Vu Kieu Hung, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Environment Department of Bao Thang district, added: "We have established links with local people from the supply of breeding stock and animal feed to technical guidance; in addition, we have linked product consumption. Currently, Bao Thang's fish products are sold not only within the province but also in other provinces."

Hybrid carp from Bao Thang district has been registered as a collective trademark. This also creates favorable conditions for the locality to continue expanding the aquaculture industry, investing in deep processing to increase product value, and making aquaculture a key economic sector in the locality.

The Long - Thanh Thuan

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