The model of ecological shrimp farming under mangrove forests yields high economic efficiency and contributes to environmental protection. To date, the district's certified ecological shrimp farming model has achieved a productivity of 150 kg/ha/year, and the ecologically farmed shrimp products are exported to demanding markets such as the US, Japan, and the EU, with a selling price 5-10 thousand VND/kg higher than traditionally farmed shrimp.

In addition, the improved two-stage extensive shrimp farming model combined with crab farming is being widely adopted. On average, households engaged in combined crab farming earn over 40 million VND/hectare annually from crabs. Notably, the combination of raising blood cockles, grouper, and brown fish in shrimp ponds helps people maximize the use of natural food sources and increase their annual income by over 100 million VND.

Ngoc Hien district encourages neighboring shrimp farming households to cooperate in production to reduce investment costs and increase productivity for a successful farming season.

Ngoc Hien district encourages neighboring shrimp farming households to cooperate in production to reduce investment costs and increase productivity for a successful farming season.

Ngoc Hien district has 23,000 hectares of water surface dedicated to developing ecological shrimp and crab farming models. Each year, the district sells over 35,000 tons of commercial shrimp and crab to the domestic market and exports to foreign markets. “The locality recognizes the enormous potential in the fisheries sector. However, for sustainable development, the district focuses not only on production volume but also on quality and added value of the products. Establishing geographical indications for ecological shrimp and crab farming and planning farming areas are crucial steps to enhance the position of Ngoc Hien's seafood in the market,” said Mr. Tran Hoang Lac, Chairman of the District People's Committee.

Besides shrimp and crab, the potential for oyster farming is also enormous. The district is proposing a plan to develop oyster farming along 32 river routes with a total length of over 182,000 meters. According to Mr. Le Ngoc Lam's assessment, if properly planned and developed, the district could supply more than 40,000 tons of commercial oysters to the market annually, bringing significant income to the people.

Alongside its successes, Ngoc Hien is also facing several challenges such as climate change, epidemics, fluctuating market prices, lack of investment capital, and inconsistent application of science and technology .

Mr. Le Ngoc Lam, Chairman of the District Farmers' Association, believes that Ngoc Hien has great potential in the field of aquaculture, but the locality still faces difficulties. These include farmers operating independently, without production linkages to consolidate goods into a single point for brand building, increasing market competitiveness, and simultaneously meeting processing demands while reducing dependence on water levels.

Production linkages also aim to create jobs for local workers, leading to sustainable poverty reduction.

Production linkages also aim to create jobs for local workers, leading to sustainable poverty reduction.

Ms. Nguyen Hong Dam, owner of Chau Sang production facility in Rach Goc town, said: “Our facility currently purchases more than 150 local seafood products, from dried shrimp and fermented shrimp paste to various types of dried fish, and distributes them mainly online through social media channels. We have exported these products to demanding markets such as Japan, South Korea, and France... proving that the quality of our products is completely competitive in the market.”

Ngoc Hien district currently has 29 OCOP products that have achieved 3 stars and 4 products that have achieved 4 stars, including specialties such as dried shrimp, shrimp crackers, sour shrimp paste, crab crackers, oyster crackers, salted mud crabs, fermented fish paste, mangrove chopsticks, etc. The producers have invested in machinery, packaging, labels, and product promotion on e-commerce platforms, helping to expand the market and create stable jobs for local workers.

“Going forward, we will continue to link production, form cooperatives, and encourage people with adjacent shrimp farming areas to cooperate in developing certified safe shrimp and crab farming models, from the input of breeding stock to consumption, with strict kiểm tra and aiming to build geographical indications for the local ecological shrimp and crab. The goal is to focus on profitability and increase product competitiveness in the market. At the same time, we will link with companies and enterprises in major provinces and cities to promote local specialties, creating a stable consumption channel for farmers,” Mr. Tran Hoang Lac shared.

Chi Hieu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/lien-ke-t-tao-thanh-cong-a38248.html