Sustainable development of pangasius industry

Updated date: 11/16/2024 04:58:23

DTO - Identifying pangasius as a strategic industry of the province, in recent times, Dong Thap has focused on developing this industry in a sustainable manner and increasing added value. In particular, the province has implemented solutions to improve the efficiency of linking production, consumption, and market information; carried out digital transformation in the management and operation of the pangasius industry in terms of planning, identification code issuance, production information, market, farming environment, etc.

Recently, Dong Thap has focused on developing quality pangasius breeds.

Focus on developing the pangasius industry

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of Dong Thap province, in recent times, the locality has focused on developing the pangasius industry in a modern direction, focusing on value-added products that meet quality and food safety requirements for the domestic and export markets. In 2024, the province's pangasius farming area is estimated at 2,630 hectares, exceeding the target by 7.3%, with the main farming areas in Hong Ngu city and the districts of Tan Hong, Chau Thanh, and Thanh Binh. The production value of the pangasius industry in 2024 is estimated at VND 8,802 billion, accounting for 17.36% of the value structure of the agricultural, forestry and fishery sector.

The province currently has 378 commercial pangasius farming facilities with pond identification codes with an area of ​​1,630 hectares. The farming area of ​​households cooperating with feed production enterprises and processing enterprises is 804.7 hectares. To date, the province has 91.5% of commercial pangasius farming facilities that have been granted certificates of eligibility for production or signed commitments to produce safe food according to regulations.

Regarding pangasius breeds, the province has 94 breeding facilities, of which 17 facilities use genetically improved pangasius stocks for reproduction, accounting for 18%; more than 1,000 facilities raise pangasius breeds. In 2024, the production facilities are estimated to reach more than 1.2 billion pangasius breeds (of which 500 million are high-quality pangasius). At the same time, the province has 60 facilities certified as qualified to produce breeds.

Aiming to develop this advantageous industry, in recent times, sectors and levels in the province have implemented many scientific and technological tasks. In the period of 2021-2023, the province has 2 tasks assigned for application and 1 task being implemented, including: Project "Producing organic fertilizer from by-products and waste in the process of processing pangasius in Dong Thap province"; Research topic on balloon bloat disease in industrially farmed pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and proposing solutions for disease prevention and treatment; topic "Standardizing LAMP technique to detect liver and kidney pus disease in pangasius in Dong Thap province".

Along with that, building a high-tech farming model, circulating farming technology, to limit the change of pond water to the outside environment, minimizing diseases, this model is considered suitable in the current climate change situation. Implementing the project "Building a 2-phase pangasius farming model associated with product consumption linkage" in the period of 2023 - 2024 helps to gradually change the awareness of farming with appropriate density and changes in production techniques, choosing the right farming time, using biological products to improve good water quality.

Hong Ngu City aims to develop pangasius farming areas in a sustainable direction.

Hung Ca Company Limited (Thanh Binh District) owns a tra fish farming area of ​​over 700 hectares. In particular, the unit applies closed production processes from farming, processing and exporting according to international standards, ensuring a stable source of raw materials and strictly monitoring the production process. Mr. Tran Van Hung - Chairman of the Board of Directors, General Director of Hung Ca Company Limited, said: "Complying with international processes on water systems, ponds, farming techniques and fish processing plant systems costs a lot of money, but in return, farmed fish have less diseases, output increases by 3-5%, improves product quality and reduces production costs...".

With the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the provincial Department of Industry and Trade builds, operates, supports and guides enterprises, cooperatives and business households to use the Product Traceability Management System. At the same time, it integrates through training programs to encourage and guide farming facilities to apply and certify production processes and standards such as: VietGAP, GlobalGAP, ASC, BAP; implements the traceability process into production to improve the value and quality of products...

In addition, Dong Thap enterprises focus on creating many high-quality, value-added products from pangasius such as spring rolls, fish balls, collagen, gelatin, fish oil, dried fish skin... and using pangasius by-products to process animal feed. In addition, by-products and waste from the manufacturing industry are used to produce organic fertilizers for agricultural production.

Harvesting pangasius (Photo: N.Phong)

Improve product competitiveness

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Thap province, in the plan to restructure the pangasius industry by 2025, Dong Thap sets a goal of having 100% of pangasius farming facilities digitized with identification codes according to regulations; 100% of commercial pangasius farming facilities granted certificates of eligibility for production or signed commitments to produce safe food according to regulations; 50% of commercial pangasius farming areas apply and are certified with GAP good agricultural practices standards and 90% of individual pangasius farming households participate in production and consumption linkages. Strive for over 75% of fingerlings for commercial farming to be high-quality fingerlings; ensure that 60% of pangasius fry breeding facilities must use genetically improved fish stocks; 60% of farming areas have wastewater and sludge treatment systems according to regulations; 100% of water sources on the main river are regularly monitored according to regulations...

To effectively implement the set goals, the province will focus on disseminating and popularizing planning work, legal regulations on breed management, aquaculture and related documents of the Central and local governments to organizations and individuals to know and implement. Advise on issuing a Decision to approve and implement the plan to manage commercial pangasius farming areas in Dong Thap province until 2030, with a vision to 2050. At the same time, continue to monitor the water environment for aquaculture; coordinate with the Aquaculture Research Institute 2 to support local pangasius breeding stock to select breeds that grow quickly and are disease resistant, in order to improve the quality of breeds for commercial farming with high efficiency.

Along with that, well implement the work of checking the production conditions of input production facilities such as: breeds, feed; conditions to ensure food safety; monitor residues of toxic substances in aquatic products; organize and coordinate the organization of trade promotion programs, introduce and promote products domestically and internationally; strengthen activities to support businesses and cooperatives to connect with distributors through conferences, seminars, and forums domestically and internationally to search for and develop markets...

Mr. Ong Hang Van - Deputy General Director of Truong Giang Seafood Company (Sa Dec City), shared: "In the coming time, to increase the value of the pangasius industry, businesses and households need to change the way of raising, crossbreeding, low-density farming, and disease prevention to help pangasius grow quickly, reduce costs, and improve product competitiveness."

Mr. Duong Nghia Quoc - Chairman of the Vietnam Pangasius Association, said: "In the coming time, Dong Thap needs to focus on developing pangasius breeds. Accordingly, concretize the program to improve the quality of specific breeds of each region, build infrastructure, and policies to attract businesses to participate in the breed development program. Along with that, the province needs to have policies to encourage businesses to participate in linking the pangasius value chain, applying science and technology to develop, and producing high-quality products...".

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien - Vice Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee shared that in the coming time, to improve the competitiveness of pangasius products, enterprises need to research and apply scientific and technological advances in selecting and breeding new breeds. At the same time, improve production and processing methods to gradually increase the scientific and technological content in pangasius products, contributing to promoting the development of the pangasius industry. Along with that, increase investment and modernize technological equipment from farming to processing for export to improve productivity and product quality...

Nam Phong

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/kinh-te/phat-trien-ben-vung-nganh-hang-ca-tra-127105.aspx