Risk control, output optimization
In Quang Tri province , coastal shrimp farming has been considered a promising sector for many years, but it also carries significant risks. Unfavorable weather conditions, water pollution, and widespread disease outbreaks have resulted in production efficiency not matching the existing advantages. The majority of products are consumed in the domestic market, leading to low prices, and farmers frequently face price manipulation by traders. More worryingly, small-scale production practices, a lack of environmental control, and the overuse of drugs and chemicals in farming increase the risk of food safety issues and coastal environmental degradation.
Based on this reality, the model of whiteleg shrimp farming using CNC technology, implemented by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center in Dong Trach and Bac Trach communes, is considered a strategic step to find a fundamental solution to the problem of developing shrimp farming in an efficient and sustainable direction. This is seen as an effort to change the production mindset of farmers, from farming based on experience to controlled farming, from focusing on short-term production to long-term development.
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| High-tech shrimp farming models help limit wastewater discharge into the environment, reduce the risk of disease spread, and contribute to protecting coastal ecosystems - Photo: TA |
The model was implemented on a scale of 1.9 hectares/5 participating households, applying a 2-3 stage intensive whiteleg shrimp farming process. The pond system was comprehensively invested in, including nursery ponds, commercial ponds, and ponds for treating incoming and outgoing water, ensuring technical requirements for high-tech shrimp farming and biosecurity. The core of the model is the strict control of environmental factors such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and stocking density; the shrimp fry are quarantined and meet national standards; and feed, medicines, and chemicals are used only from the permitted list.
More importantly, good environmental control has helped farmers say no to harmful chemicals and antibiotic residues. As a result, the farming time has been shortened, stocking density has increased, but optimal living conditions for shrimp have still been ensured.
The acceptance test results showed significant effectiveness: Shrimp survival rate reached over 80%, yield reached over 20 tons/ha, bringing economic efficiency 15%-20% higher than traditional farming methods. More importantly, the model helps reduce water usage, limit wastewater discharge into the environment, and reduce the risk of disease spread. These are key factors in protecting the coastal ecosystem.
According to Tran Thanh Hai, Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the model of whiteleg shrimp farming using CNC technology in Dong Trach and Bac Trach is not only suitable for the local conditions but also opens up opportunities for replication throughout the province, contributing to the restructuring of the aquaculture industry towards a modern, safe, and sustainable direction.
"Leverage" for modern production thinking.
Early in the morning, Mr. Hoang Ngoc Tuan from Mai Xa village, Cua Viet commune, begins his daily routine by checking the temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen levels in his family's shrimp pond. The newly stocked shrimp are over 20 days old; although still small, they are active and healthy. The pond water is clear, and the aeration and water pump systems are operating smoothly. Few people know that to achieve the nearly 5-hectare high-tech shrimp farming area he has today, Mr. Tuan has experienced many setbacks.
He started implementing the model in 2019, at a time when coastal shrimp farming faced many risks, such as: difficult-to-control diseases, high input costs, and a farming environment easily affected by weather. In the first few farming seasons, Mr. Tuan also struggled due to a lack of experience in operating the system, large investment capital, and an unstable market.
"There were times I thought about giving up, but going back to the old way of raising livestock would be even more risky," Tuan recalled.
The turning point came when he persistently pursued a closed-loop farming model, controlling the environment and considering technology as the "key" to reducing risks. Recognizing the initial effectiveness of the model, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center supported investment in a nursery, helping him perfect the farming process from the nursery stage to commercial farming.
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| High-tech shrimp farming models are gradually proving to be a suitable and sustainable direction for coastal areas - Photo: TA |
The outstanding advantage of this model lies in its ability to proactively control the pond environment. Shrimp are raised in a closed system, remaining healthy before being transferred to larger ponds; the water is treated in a recirculating system, minimizing direct discharge into the marine environment. As a result, the farming time is only about 3-4 months per crop, depending on weather conditions, with a high survival rate and stable yield.
Currently, Mr. Tuan harvests over 50 tons of shrimp annually, generating revenue of 6-7 billion VND. However, according to him, the most important thing is that shrimp farmers no longer face the same anxieties as before. With controlled environments and reduced disease risks, farmers can proactively plan their production, no longer relying entirely on luck. Nevertheless, high-tech shrimp farming is not an easy path. Large initial investments, high technical requirements, and constant electricity and labor costs remain significant pressures.
"If you don't do things properly and persevere, it's very easy to give up halfway," Tuan stated frankly.
Highly appreciating the effectiveness of the model, Vice Chairman of Cua Viet Commune People's Committee Tran Dinh Cam said: "Hoang Ngoc Tuan's high-tech shrimp farming model is a suitable direction for the current coastal conditions. Not only does it bring high economic efficiency, but the model also contributes to environmental protection, creates jobs, and serves as a basis for the locality to orient the sustainable development of aquaculture in the future."
It can be affirmed that the high-tech shrimp farming model is gradually proving to be a suitable and sustainable direction for the coastal areas of Quang Tri province. Not only does it bring clear economic benefits, but these models also help farmers control risks, reduce pressure on the marine environment, and gradually change production thinking towards biosafety and responsibility towards the ecosystem.
“High-tech shrimp farming is an inevitable trend in the development of aquaculture today. Practical implementation in localities shows that when farmers master the process and adhere to techniques, the model not only brings high economic efficiency but also contributes to environmental protection, creating a solid foundation for sustainable marine economic development,” affirmed Tran Thanh Hai, Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center.
Peace of Mind
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202603/chan-kieng-ho-tro-kinh-te-bien-9856ceb/
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