Hau Loc exploits the potential of tidal areas for clam farming in an effective and sustainable manner.

In recent years, Hau Loc district has proactively exploited the potential and strengths of its tidal zone to cultivate a diverse range of coastal mollusks such as clams, blood cockles, green mussels, oysters, etc., with Ben Tre white clams being the main species, accounting for up to 90% of the district's tidal zone production.

Hau Loc is exploiting the potential of its tidal areas for clam farming in an efficient and sustainable manner. Commercial clam purchasing facility in Hai Loc commune.

As of May 2024, Hau Loc district had implemented a plan to cultivate 570 hectares of clams. To ensure high economic efficiency and sustainability in clam farming in 2024 and subsequent years, and to build the "Hau Loc clam" brand alongside other key aquaculture products of the district such as tiger shrimp and whiteleg shrimp, Hau Loc district has been implementing solutions regarding the planning of concentrated clam seedling breeding areas and the development of appropriate infrastructure for clam seedling cultivation. It encourages cooperative and joint venture production and commercial farming facilities to establish value chains, ensuring seed quality is recognized by competent authorities, and that seedlings undergo strict quarantine and management before being supplied to farmers. The district also strengthens state management from the district People's Committee to the communes regarding the conditions for seedling production, seedling cultivation, and commercial clam farming. Conduct extensive public awareness campaigns on seed management, aquaculture area management, inspection, supervision, and strict handling of violations in the production and circulation of clam seeds and supplies for clam farming. Regularly monitor the environment to provide timely warnings to farmers. Apply advanced technologies, especially biotechnology, to clam seed production and commercial farming. Strengthen agricultural extension work, training, and provide timely information on farming conditions and new farming techniques to the people. Form cooperatives or management boards/organizations for aquaculture areas, strengthen the role of community management, and encourage the establishment of associations for clam seed production, nursery, and commercial clam farming in Hau Loc to support each other in technical work, logistics services, and product consumption. In addition, Hau Loc district and coastal communes are disseminating information and guiding people to renovate ponds, lagoons, and mollusk farming areas annually, stocking at the correct density, and protecting the environment in farming areas, ensuring that mollusk species grow and develop well, yielding high and sustainable economic efficiency.

In recent years, despite facing many environmental disadvantages such as hydrological conditions and wastewater discharge from production facilities into estuaries affecting growth and development, sometimes causing clam deaths and significant losses for farmers; and fluctuating output and prices at times... clam farming and clam seed production have still been identified as a key sector in the economic development of coastal communes in Hau Loc district, being the main aquaculture activity and suitable for the locality.

For example, in Hai Loc commune, as of May 2024, there were over 200 households raising commercial clams and producing clam seeds on an area of approximately 171 hectares, with a total annual output of over 2,900 tons of commercial clams, sold both within and outside the province. Thanks to exploiting the potential and strengths of coastal mollusk farming, primarily clams, many households in the commune have escaped poverty, and dozens of families have become well-off with annual profits of hundreds of millions of dong. Some households even earn billions of dong annually, such as Mr. Pham Van Ba's family, who raise 10 hectares of commercial clams and produce clam seeds, achieving nearly 2 billion dong in a good year and creating jobs for about 50 workers. Mr. Vu Van Hoang's family raises 8 hectares of commercial clams, earning a profit of over 1 billion VND per year in a good year and creating jobs for 40 workers... Moreover, clam farming provides employment for more than 20% of the local workforce.

In 2023, Hau Loc district had over 400 households in the coastal communes of Da Loc, Minh Loc, and Hai Loc cultivating clams on 570 hectares. The district's clam production in 2023 reached 8,800 tons. Many households in the coastal communes of Hau Loc district not only earned a relatively high income from clam farming but also created jobs for many local workers, contributing to the sustainable development of the marine economy and rural development in Hau Loc district.

Text and photos: Thu Hoa

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