Tan Phu Dong District: Breakthrough from high-tech shrimp ponds

In 2011, Mr. Ngo Minh Tuan (currently Director of Tuan Hien Aquaculture Company Limited in Phu Thanh Commune, Tan Phu Dong District) started his shrimp farming journey with only traditional methods and modest capital. However, with a long-term vision and determination to innovate, he boldly switched to high-tech shrimp farming - a choice considered bold but full of potential.

Shrimp harvesting at Tuan Hien Aquaculture Company Limited in Tan Phu Dong district.

Currently, Tuan Hien Aquaculture Company Limited is operating 5 shrimp farms on an area of ​​32 hectares, spread across Phu Thanh, Phu Dong and Phu Tan communes. The special feature of the model is the circular pond system covered with tarpaulin bottoms, with roofs above and clearly dividing 20% ​​of the area for farming, the remaining 80% for water treatment. The total investment cost per hectare is up to 1.5 billion VND - not a small number, but the efficiency exceeds expectations.

As a result, each hectare harvests an average of 45 - 50 tons of shrimp per year, double that of the traditional model. The survival rate of shrimp reaches 90%, a remarkable achievement in the context of diseases and climate change increasingly affecting aquaculture. With 4 crops per year, Mr. Tuan can continuously rotate, optimize costs and quickly gain profits.

In particular, the whiteleg shrimp product here was once recognized by Vietnam Joint Stock Company as having the largest size record - 14.2 shrimp/kg. Profit after deducting costs reached over 40% - a dream number for any agricultural production model today.

Revealing the success of high-tech shrimp farming, Mr. Tuan said: “To be successful, the important factor is the farming process. The breed must be good, must be raised in clean water and have adequate oxygen conditions. Farmers must check the environment daily and most importantly, must have farming techniques.”

Not only developing production, Mr. Tuan also plays the role of “technical midwife” for the community by supporting people to expand about 200 tarpaulin-covered ponds, providing seeds, food, medicine and a team of dedicated engineers to provide technical guidance. His model is a living proof of the ability to get rich on the homeland thanks to science and technology and the spirit of production association.

TO ENERGY SAVING SHRIMP FARMING

In recent times, the provincial Fisheries sector has boldly applied the Project "Demonstration of energy-saving shrimp farming systems using biomass" chaired by the Department of Fisheries. The project has been implemented since 2022 at the shrimp farm of Tuan Hien Aquaculture Company Limited, aiming to combine farming and environmental treatment, creating a renewable energy source from the waste of the pond.

The project is implemented with the goals of reducing emissions and saving energy. Thereby, the project demonstrates a high-density farming model (500 shrimp/m³), applying IOT to monitor water quality and pond environment in real time. As a result, the survival rate reached 85%, and shrimp productivity and quality both increased significantly.

The project builds a biogas system using shrimp pond sludge and agricultural by-products (such as lemongrass leaves) to generate electricity for production. 2 methane gas bags with a capacity of 60 m³ are connected to a continuously operating power generation system. Modern sensor technology allows for measuring temperature, pressure, gas concentration, and automatically controlling the entire process, from fermentation to power generation.

Thereby, the project contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions - about 15.5 liters t-CO₂/year per 1,000 m² pond unit (compared to semi-intensive model) and up to 26.9 liters t-CO₂/year compared to modern intensive model.

According to the Department of Fisheries of Tien Giang Province (Department of Agriculture and Environment), the project has basically completed phase 1, the testing and demonstration phase. The project will enter into cooperation to transfer new science and technology to the province. This project has maximized the high-density shrimp farming process, applied advanced technology and used biomass to create clean energy and renewable energy. This is a project of significance for the development of science and technology in the field of shrimp farming in the province, especially in the direction of developing modern sustainable agriculture.

Mr. THANH - C. THANG

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/kinh-te/202504/huyen-tan-phu-dong-dot-pha-tu-nhung-ao-tom-cong-nghe-cao-1041135/