Shrimp value chain linkage

The rice-shrimp farming model in Ca Mau province was established in 2000, mainly concentrated in the districts of Tran Van Thoi, U Minh, Thoi Binh, and Ca Mau City. Currently, the total area of rice-shrimp farming in the province is approximately 35,900 hectares, including 18,000 hectares in Thoi Binh district, 14,900 hectares in U Minh, 2,000 hectares in Tran Van Thoi, 500 hectares in Cai Nuoc, and 500 hectares in Ca Mau City.

Sustainable model

The rice-shrimp farming model has many advantages. After a shrimp crop, the waste products are transformed and absorbed by the rice plants, helping to reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticides used in the initial stages. Conversely, after a rice crop, the straw decomposes, creating a habitat for aquatic plants and animals, which serves as a natural food source for shrimp. Therefore, this model helps reduce production costs, increase productivity, and boost profits.

Locals apply technological advancements to production, cultivating high-quality rice varieties (ST 24, ST 25, etc.), intercropping all-male giant freshwater prawns during rice cultivation, and combining crab farming with tiger prawn farming, resulting in high income per unit area. (Photo taken at Tri Luc Rice-Shrimp Cooperative, Tri Luc commune, Thoi Binh district).

Besides rotating one rice crop in the rainy season and one tiger shrimp crop in the dry season, recently people have also flexibly applied advanced techniques to intercrop all-male freshwater prawns in rice crops; and combine crab farming with tiger shrimp farming, resulting in high income per unit area.

Many challenges and difficulties

In recent times, climate change and saltwater intrusion have affected the province's agricultural production, including the rice-shrimp farming model.

Irrigation infrastructure serving rice and shrimp farming has received investment but remains incomplete, failing to meet the water supply and drainage requirements for some production areas, especially those in remote inland regions. During the dry season, many production areas experience water shortages, or in some years, prolonged heavy rains prevent drainage, leading to rice flooding. The design of shrimp ponds by farmers does not adequately ensure production adapts to weather conditions and maintains stable water quality during the farming period. The implementation of integrated production and product distribution models is still limited. Production remains fragmented and individualistic; banks are not yet fully committed to participating in the supply chain...

To maximize the economic value and added value of shrimp and rice from this model, the province has proposed solutions to promote the application of science and technology in production. This includes collaborating with research institutes and universities, inviting scientists to participate in developing advanced and appropriate production processes, ensuring certification standards, and creating conditions for businesses to access markets to promptly meet the needs of production and product consumption linkages. The province aims to achieve international and multi-certification standards to sell shrimp from the rice-shrimp model in all markets worldwide, thereby increasing its value. Production will be reorganized towards a collective approach, establishing cooperatives, clubs, associations, and cooperative groups.

The province's agricultural sector is stepping up research and breeding efforts to develop many shrimp varieties suitable for the rice-shrimp farming model.

“When people join cooperatives, they carry out their crops simultaneously, making it easier to manage diseases. Supplies and seeds are also provided at lower prices. Technical training courses are organized for members to improve production efficiency. In particular, the large volume of products produced makes it easier to sign long-term contracts,” said Mr. Le Van Mua, Director of Tri Luc Rice and Shrimp Cooperative (Tri Luc commune, Thoi Binh district).

However, the cooperatives still face many challenges. According to Mr. Le Van Mua, after many years of production, the water source tends to be polluted, requiring significant costs for treatment with probiotics. In addition, there is a severe water shortage from February to May each year; shrimp prices are also unstable. “Currently, only Tan Vuong Company (An Giang province) guarantees the purchase of the cooperative's organic rice, therefore its competitiveness is not high. The cooperative urgently needs preferential, unsecured capital; specific tax policies; additional specific mechanisms for shrimp farming in rice-shrimp farming areas; and subsidies to stabilize shrimp prices, which is most important,” Mr. Mua suggested.

Mr. Phan Hoang Vu stated: “We will invite businesses to participate, gradually forming supply chain linkages, especially in the supply of seeds, materials, fertilizers, and product consumption. We will organize linkages along the value chain of shrimp and rice products, linked to building safe and hygienic food production areas and disease-free zones to proactively organize production, enhance the value and competitiveness of Ca Mau rice and shrimp products. We will also develop more cooperatives with the necessary capacity to participate in these linkage chains.”

“Traditional production practices need to be changed, and farmers must strictly adhere to the production processes established by scientists or the constraints imposed by businesses. Farmers need to be proactive in linking together to form production organizations with the necessary conditions and capabilities to implement, connect, and receive support policies from the State and other organizations. In addition, farmers need to maintain credibility and abide by contracts signed with businesses, not arbitrarily breaking them when prices fluctuate; only then will this linkage truly bring practical results. Review and determine specific concentrated production areas that are suitable to the potential and advantages of each region to create an effective roadmap for linkage and investment,” Mr. Phan Hoang Vu emphasized.

Phu Huu

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