The secret of the 'shrimp billionaire' of the island.

Ngo Minh Tuan, a farmer from Tan Phu Dong islet, has achieved success with high-tech shrimp farming, transforming a barren land into a modern, efficient, and sustainable aquaculture model.

Recently, high-tech shrimp farming models have developed strongly in the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta, opening up opportunities for many farmers to get rich. Among them, Mr. Ngo Minh Tuan (nicknamed Tuan Hien) in Tan Phu Dong islet, Dong Thap province, is a prime example of success in high-tech whiteleg shrimp farming, earning him the nickname "island billionaire".

A high-tech shrimp farm owned by Mr. Ngo Minh Tuan in Tan Phu Dong commune, Dong Thap province. Photo: Minh Dam.

Invest systematically.

In the last months of the year, his family had just finished harvesting their off-season shrimp crop, doubling their joy as the yield reached tens of tons, generating revenue of over one billion VND and high profits. To date, Mr. Tuan owns 5 high-tech shrimp farms spread across the island areas, with a total area of ​​36 hectares.

Previously, his family only raised tiger shrimp industrially on an area of ​​about 2 hectares, but frequently failed due to disease outbreaks. In 2015, recognizing the potential of high-tech shrimp farming, he boldly rented rice paddies in Tan Phu Dong islet to dig ponds and experiment with the new model.

Thanks to his passion, diligent research, accumulated experience, and learning techniques from specialized units, he gradually achieved success. After accumulating capital each year, he invested in acquiring more land to expand his business model and has now become one of the reputable entrepreneurs on the island.

Mr. Tuan's high-tech shrimp farming model is not only large-scale but also systematically and scientifically invested in. He dedicates 20% of the land to constructing ponds with concrete walls, tarpaulin-covered bottoms, and nets covering the surface; the remaining 80% is used for treating incoming and outgoing water to meet clean water standards. On average, he invests 1.5-2 billion VND per hectare of shrimp farming land. As a result, the shrimp grow quickly, the mortality rate is low (around 10%), the yield is high at 45-50 tons/ha, double that of traditional models, and the profit margin exceeds 40%.

Mr. Tuan has just harvested a batch of shrimp, which sold at a good price, resulting in a high profit. Photo: Minh Dam.

Thanks to his mastery of the technical process, most of his shrimp ponds yield large-sized shrimp, which fetch high prices. He only sells the shrimp when they reach a weight of 30-35 shrimp per kilogram, at the current price of over 200,000 VND per kilogram. This large-sized shrimp is in high demand, especially in the North and Hanoi . Mr. Tuan shared that successful high-tech shrimp farming requires many factors, but the most important are mastering the farming process, investing in standard ponds, and ensuring clean water and sufficient oxygen.

"In my opinion, the ponds should be covered, have nursery ponds for post-larval shrimp, ensure clean water sources, use oxygen pumps and aerators, and collect waste effectively. The shrimp larvae must be disease-free and healthy, and closely monitored daily to promptly address any risks. The incoming water source must meet standards, removing algae and bacteria before supplying it to the rearing ponds," he said.

What is noteworthy about Mr. Tuan is his research spirit and his willingness to embrace new initiatives and techniques. He participates in most workshops, training sessions, and demonstrations of high-tech shrimp farming techniques both domestically and internationally, while also sharing his experience with farmers and experts. His farms also serve as learning centers and technical exchange points, supporting students, farmers, and aquaculture experts in developing effective and sustainable models.

Mr. Tuan applies IoT sensor technology in disease control and uses biomass from waste to generate energy for production. Photo: Minh Dam.

Pioneering the application of new initiatives.

Since 2022, one of his shrimp farms has been selected by a Japanese partner to implement the project "Demonstration of an energy-saving shrimp farming system using biomass," combining farming and environmental treatment to create renewable energy from waste. The project applies high-density farming (500 shrimp/m³), uses IoT to monitor water quality and pond environment in real time, resulting in an 85% survival rate and significantly increased shrimp yield and quality.

The project also includes the construction of a biogas system using wastewater sludge and agricultural by-products (such as lemongrass leaves) to generate electricity for production, consisting of two methane digester bags with a capacity of 60 m³ each connected to a continuous power generation system. As a result, the project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 15.5-26.9 tons of CO₂/year/1,000 m² pond compared to other intensive farming models. Initially, the project has shown practical effectiveness, combining high-density shrimp farming, the application of advanced technology, and the use of biomass to create a clean, renewable energy source.

Japanese partners visit the energy-efficient shrimp farming model at Mr. Tuan's farm. Photo: Minh Dam.

Besides high-tech shrimp farming, Mr. Tuan's family also runs a business selling feed, aquatic medicine, and supplying fingerlings to local fishermen. Nearly 200 farmers in Dong Thap have learned from his model and successfully collaborated in production. He diligently advises, shares his experience, and guides the close cooperation between households to meet export standards, creating a closed-loop chain and ensuring stable input and output.

Thanks to his bold application of technology and science, and his transformation of traditional farming methods, Mr. Ngo Minh Tuan now possesses an effective and sustainable economic model, making a practical contribution to the development of the Tan Phu Dong island region.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/bi-quyet-cua-ty-phu-tom-dat-cu-lao-d784245.html