Yen Bai - Being a cold-loving species and needing a natural clean water source as a habitat, sturgeon was once only farmed in Sa Pa (Lao Cai) and Da Lat (Lam Dong), but in recent years, sturgeon farming models have been formed and replicated more and more in localities in the province, marking the success in the process of conquering this fastidious fish.
Pioneering cold-water fish farming (sturgeon, salmon) on Khau Pha peak has opened a new but promising direction in Mu Cang Chai district. Up to now, in the district, there are 4 sturgeon farms with an area of over 1,6 ha, supplying nearly 90 tons of fish to the market every year.
As a rather fastidious fish when it has to live in a clean and oxygen-rich environment, the care process must always monitor and check the water environment regularly to ensure good growth.
According to the fish farmers here, it is important when raising sturgeon to manage the water environment including controlling the amount of oxygen, regulating and maintaining a constant flow of water and maintaining the water temperature at an appropriate threshold. Therefore, in the summer when the temperature shows signs of rising, it is necessary to have solutions to reduce the water temperature such as covering with black net against heat.
In addition, it is also necessary to check the growth rate of the fish to adjust the diet. The feeding must also be based on water temperature, cold water eat less, warm water eat more. Fish feed is mainly industrial bran with suitable protein and lipid content. In addition to selling to focal points in many provinces across the country, some farms also open more restaurant services, providing on-site nutritious fish dishes for tourists, becoming a specialty that attracts visitors.
In Tran Yen district, sturgeon is farmed in Viet Hong commune with 4 small- and medium-sized farming establishments, of which Mr. Hoang Van Binh's model in Ban Na is the largest, with the largest scale including 11 commercial aquariums and 24 hatcheries.
Mr. Binh shared: “After many years of conquering sturgeon, we have mastered the technique of hatching and raising commercial sturgeon. Although this profession does not take a lot of care, it requires high technical requirements, especially to ensure that there is enough supply of clean, cold water, sterilization, and correct water temperature adjustment, so fish will be less susceptible to diseases and grow well. Fish food is not too picky, mainly industrial food. In addition, you can eat more shrimp and small shrimp."
Commercial sturgeon raised in 15 months will gain weight from 2 to 2,5 kg/head or more and can be sold. Currently, each litter, Mr. Binh's facility can raise 5.000 commercial fish, with a turnover of 1,5 billion VND. The consumption market is quite stable with the average selling price of 15.000 - 17.000 VND/fish; Commercial fish has an average price of 200.000 VND – 250.000 VND/kg, much higher than other farmed fish.
Accordingly, the cooperative has cooperated with the Institute of Applied Research and Development, Hung Vuong University to carry out the transfer of commercial sturgeon farming techniques to help limit the risks; Management skills towards expanding stable product consumption and product promotion. As a result, the processes from farming to the output of products are well operated along the value chain.
Currently, the cooperative has 13 members with 24 floating tarpaulin tanks, 2 tarpaulin-lined ponds and 4 reinforced cement tanks, raising 1 fish/brood, on average, each litter sells about 8.000 commercial fish, the average output is over 20 tons/year, has a stable output, thereby creating jobs and income for many local Hmong workers.
Na Hau sturgeon products have also obtained the 3-star OCOP certification at the provincial level in 2022. For further development, the cooperative has also implemented the application of VietGAP standards for the Na Hau sturgeon brand.
It can be seen that sturgeon farming in the province has shown efficiency when it comes to productivity, high product quality, and great economic value; creating specific products for local tourism, contributing to changing the rural economic structure, creating jobs and raising incomes for people.
Hoai Anh
