Taking advantage of the cool climate and pure headwaters of the Then Theao Ho stream in Si Lo Lau commune, since 2008, the Vang Ma Chai Border Guard Post has implemented a model of raising salmon and sturgeon. These are two species of fish with high economic value, but they also require strict living conditions. Therefore, the unit has organized a farming area located at an altitude of 1,600m above sea level, with the water temperature maintained stably from 14 to 19°C year-round, suitable for their growth characteristics, resulting in clean, firm, and delicious fish meat.

Major Nghiêm Anh Tuấn, a staff member of the Community Mobilization Team and in charge of the agricultural production group at Vàng Ma Chải Border Guard Post, said: “The unit’s fish farm has been renovated and expanded from 10 to 13 tanks, with a total water surface area of ​​about 600m². Due to the colder water compared to other places, the fish farming time is extended to an average of 10-11 months before harvest, about a month longer than usual. Annually, we supply the market with about 3 tons of salmon and 2 tons of commercial sturgeon.”

The fish are carefully cared for by soldiers of the Vang Ma Chai Border Guard Post ( Lai Chau Provincial Border Guard). Photo: TUAN ANH

The fish farming system used by the agricultural team employs a pressurized tank method, with water being channeled from the stream to a central filtration tank to remove waste and sediment, then distributed to each rearing tank. Each tank has an independent drainage system, preventing the reuse of old water, thus controlling water quality and reducing the risk of disease in the fish population. Fish are sorted according to their growth stages; when they reach a weight of about 2 grams per fish, they are released into smaller tanks for easy monitoring and care by the soldiers. When they reach about 20 grams per fish, they are transferred to tanks with an area of ​​30 to 35 m² to ensure sufficient space for growth. The officers and soldiers of the agricultural team receive technical training and regularly monitor and check water quality to maintain the most ideal living conditions for the fish.

Despite its clear effectiveness, the unit's fish farming model still faces many difficulties such as: the infrastructure system is not yet synchronized, some fish ponds were built manually many years ago; during the dry season (from March to May every year), water resources decrease, and the farming team has to calculate and regulate the water level appropriately to maintain a stable living environment for the fish; during the rainy season, there is a potential risk of flash floods, landslides, and mudslides, which can directly damage the fish farming area...

Checking the health of the salmon population to proactively prevent and control diseases. Photo: TUAN ANH

According to Lieutenant Colonel Truong Thai Binh , Commander of the Vang Ma Chai Border Guard Station, one of the important goals of the sturgeon and salmon farming model is to gradually transfer technology and support local people in developing their livelihoods. To date, many households in Si Lo Lau commune and neighboring communes have followed suit, expanding their fish farming business on an increasingly large scale. The average market price of salmon and sturgeon ranges from 190,000 VND to over 300,000 VND per kilogram, allowing farmers to earn a profit of 30-40% compared to their investment.

The model of raising salmon and sturgeon not only demonstrates a proactive and creative spirit in economic development and improving the lives of soldiers stationed in border areas, but also serves as vivid evidence of the effectiveness of the Border Guard's civilian outreach work, contributing to expanding livelihoods for people in the border regions of the Fatherland.

LE HIEU

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/mo-hinh-nuoi-ca-hoi-ca-tam-o-bien-gioi-tay-bac-846583