Starting a business with probiotics

Driven by the concerns of shrimp farmers, Mr. Lam Hoai Kham, residing in Vinh Phong commune, chose probiotics as his entrepreneurial venture. His model of producing biological products has gradually proven effective, contributing to reducing costs for shrimp farmers, protecting the environment, and opening up a sustainable aquaculture direction.

Born and raised in the province's major shrimp farming region, Mr. Kham understands the difficulties and worries of shrimp farmers, from polluted ponds, slow shrimp growth, high mortality rates, heavy reliance on chemical treatments, to ever-increasing production costs. Based on this reality, in 2020, he began researching probiotics to replace chemicals, hoping to improve water quality and naturally increase the resistance of aquatic animals at a lower cost.

Mr. Lam Hoai Kham introduces probiotic products. Photo: THUY TIEN

Having graduated in chemical engineering, he faced difficulties due to a lack of testing equipment, limited in-depth knowledge of microbiology, and many batches of probiotics failing to meet requirements, resulting in products that lacked credibility. “However, through trial and error and learning from various sources, I gradually adjusted the cultivation process to suit local environmental conditions, and finally succeeded. Results from numerous consecutive trials in shrimp ponds showed clear effectiveness: the probiotics were able to decompose organic matter, clean the pond bottom, stabilize water quality parameters, promote healthy shrimp growth, and significantly reduce mortality rates,” Mr. Kham shared.

This success was a crucial turning point that motivated Mr. Kham to completely shift from processing aquatic animal medicines to producing biological products. In early 2025, he expanded production and established the Southern Organic Agriculture Cooperative, specializing in the production and supply of biological products. The cooperative has nearly 30 products, focusing on two main product groups: biological products for environmental treatment and biological products for restoring natural food sources in shrimp farming, which are trusted by farmers in many areas of the province and in Ca Mau province.

Besides product quality, the cooperative also considers competitive pricing. On average, the cost per hectare for a 4-month farming cycle is approximately 3 million VND. Mr. Tran Van Minh, residing in Vinh Phong commune, shared: “I use the cooperative's probiotics and find the pond water cleaner, especially at the bottom. The shrimp grow evenly, are less prone to disease, and the cost of aquatic animal medicine is reduced by about 20-30%. More importantly, using probiotics helps keep the pond safe, does not pollute the surrounding water sources, and aligns with the current trend of sustainable shrimp farming.”

According to Mr. Kham, producing bio-products in the Mien Thu region is also advantageous due to the diverse and abundant raw materials. The cooperative can utilize all the abundant agricultural waste products such as bananas, jackfruit, sugarcane, pineapples, papayas, golden melons, aloe vera, turmeric, ginger, etc., to make probiotics. “Discarded agricultural products and fruits can be made into bio-products to treat water environments in aquaculture. Aquaculture waste can be converted into plant feed, avoiding cross-contamination. Furthermore, utilizing raw materials helps farmers earn extra income and reduces environmental pollution. Currently, the cooperative purchases each ton of agricultural waste at a price of 3.5 million VND,” Mr. Kham said.

According to Vo Trung Thuc, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Vinh Phong commune, the products of the Southern Organic Agricultural Cooperative not only bring economic benefits to the people but also contribute to changing production mindsets, gradually reducing dependence on chemicals, and moving towards environmentally friendly aquaculture, in line with the province's sustainable aquaculture development orientation. In addition, the cooperative operates in accordance with regulations, contributing to job creation for many local workers and contributing to social welfare...

“Currently, the cooperative is focusing on expanding its production scale, but it still faces certain difficulties, especially regarding the rudimentary machinery and equipment. Therefore, I hope that the local government and relevant departments will conduct surveys and provide further support in terms of equipment; and create opportunities for the cooperative to promote its products more through local events and programs, especially workshops and seminars…,” Mr. Kham said.

THUY TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/khoi-nghiep-tu-men-vi-sinh-a471033.html