To develop sustainable marine farming

Khanh Hoa is identified as a pioneering locality, leading the marine aquaculture industry of the whole country. Developing high-tech marine aquaculture is an important orientation for developing the marine economy of the province. At the thematic conference of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, many ideas were raised to help the marine aquaculture industry of the province go to the big sea.

* Mr. Le Ngoc Thach - Chairman of Cam Ranh City People's Committee:

People want support to convert to high-tech marine farming

Mr. Le Ngoc Thach - Chairman of Cam Ranh City People's Committee

Since 2010, marine aquaculture in Cam Ranh City has developed strongly, with many farming objects. Up to now, the locality has more than 2,000 households raising aquatic products in cages, with more than 100,000 cages. The locality is focusing on reviewing, strengthening propaganda, and strengthening management of farming areas.

Through the success of the pilot model of high-tech marine farming in the open sea of Cam Lap commune, marine farming households in Cam Ranh have realized the high efficiency in terms of economy, society, and environment, and many people want to be supported to gradually convert from traditional wooden cages to high-tech marine farming. However, the current barrier is to have a farming area plan so that people can boldly convert. In addition, due to the large initial investment cost (scale of 20 cages/household, cost of about 1.1 billion VND), it is necessary to have preferential credit policies for people to invest in farming. At the same time, it is necessary to hand over the sea surface, develop a linkage chain, and trace the origin of farmed aquatic products for export. From there, stabilize the output, increase income for farmers...

* Mr. Do Trong Thao - Acting Director of State Bank of Vietnam , Khanh Hoa Branch:

Not many customers have access to credit for high-tech marine farming development.

Mr. Do Trong Thao - Acting Director of State Bank of Vietnam, Khanh Hoa Branch

Currently, in addition to general credit policies, the credit policy for aquaculture development, including high-tech marine farming, has a credit program of 30,000 billion VND for the forestry and aquaculture sectors, with an interest rate 1-2% lower than the average lending rate for the same term. The State Bank of Vietnam, Khanh Hoa Branch, has implemented this credit package very early. The branch has requested the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate in providing a list of people and businesses participating in the conversion of traditional farming models to high-tech marine farming models so that commercial banks can access and appraise credit for people in need. However, so far, not many customers have accessed this preferential credit package; the list we received only had 38 customers, including 1 business in need of a loan, with a total amount of 51.7 billion VND. As of June 30, outstanding loans for high-tech marine farming in the province only reached VND12 billion, with 6 borrowers. The current difficulty is that customers do not have collateral so they cannot access loans; assets serving high-tech marine farming have not been certified by competent authorities to be used as collateral for bank loans; there is no insurance for high-tech marine farming so banks are not bold enough to lend.

In the coming time, the State Bank of Vietnam, Khanh Hoa Branch, will continue to closely coordinate to effectively implement the VND30,000 billion credit package to high-tech marine farming customers in the province. The Branch recommends that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provide a list of customers in need of loans for high-tech marine farming development; provide information and documents related to the high-tech marine farming sector to facilitate the bank in appraisal work, improve access to credit capital for people and businesses in need...

* Mr. Joshua Nathan Goldman - General Director of Australis Seafood Vietnam Co., Ltd.:

Piloting high-tech fish farming in open seas

Mr. Joshua Nathan Goldman - General Director of Australis Seafood Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Raising marine fish in Khanh Hoa since 2008, Australis Vietnam Seafood Co., Ltd. has invested in high-tech industrial marine farming to serve export to many countries around the world. This year, the company plans to export 8,000 tons. In addition, the company has provided high-quality fish fry at low prices; supported high-tech marine farming techniques for local people...

To expand marine aquaculture development, in 2023, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Provincial People's Committee to pilot high-tech fish farming in open sea areas in Hon Cha La area (Van Phong Bay). In April 2024, the company officially requested to conduct a trial of open sea farming. This is very necessary to assess the suitability of the cage farming system and open sea farming technology, thereby serving as a basis for developing high-tech offshore marine farming...

HL (Summary)

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/kinh-te/202407/de-phat-trien-nuoi-bien-ben-vung-d81460a/