Developing the "OCOP eel"

- With the goal of improving the quality of eel meat and eel fry supplied to the market, the Thạnh Mỹ Tây VietGAP Eel Farming Trade and Service Cooperative (Châu Phú district) has focused on developing safe farming techniques, becoming a pioneer in developing dried eel products that meet OCOP (One Commune One Product) standards in the province.

From eel fry…

Over the years, commercial eel farming has flourished in Thanh My Tay commune, with many models yielding economic benefits. However, due to competition and fluctuating market prices, commercial eel farming has faced difficulties.

Recognizing the difficulties of raising eels commercially, and drawing on his accumulated experience from numerous previous eel farming ventures, Mr. Nguyen Hai Vuong (Long Chau hamlet, Thanh My Tay commune) has shifted his focus to raising eel fry for the market. Mr. Vuong shared: “The increasing demand from eel farmers has led to a scarcity of eel fry. Meanwhile, natural sources of fry don't guarantee quality. As someone who has raised eels for meat for many years, I understand this difficulty. Therefore, I decided to switch to raising eel fry for the market. Since I couldn't manage it alone, I invited neighbors to join me.”

Dried eel products meeting OCOP standards from Thanh My Tay VietGAP Eel Farming, Trading and Service Cooperative.

According to Mr. Vuong, with the support of the Thanh My Tay Commune Farmers' Association and the Chau Phu District Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Thanh My Tay VietGAP Eel Farming and Trading Service Cooperative was established, becoming a place for those with the same goal of engaging in eel farming to learn from each other and develop their professional skills. Every two months, members of the cooperative sell from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of eel fry to the market, at prices ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 VND per fry, depending on size.

“The eel fry we supply to the market must ensure biosafety, meaning no antibiotics or chemicals are used during the breeding process. Thanks to this, the fry have a high survival rate and are trusted by farmers everywhere. We not only supply eel fry to farmers in the province, but also to farmers in other provinces such as Dong Thap , Vinh Long, and Bac Lieu… This further motivates us to strictly maintain the eel breeding and rearing processes, ensuring a quality supply for our customers. Besides eel fry, we also raise eels for meat to supply the market,” Mr. Vuong shared.

The cooperative supplies high-quality eel fry to the market.

When we arrived, Mr. Vuong was harvesting eel eggs. Besides raising eel fry in mud, he is experimenting with raising breeding eels using a mudless method. If successful, he plans to implement this method for members of the cooperative.

Let's get to the "OCOP eel"

Recognizing the potential of the cooperative's eel breeding program, the Thạnh Mỹ Tây Commune Farmers' Association has guided its members in developing OCOP-certified products based on eel meat. According to Dang Vu Linh, Chairman of the Thạnh Mỹ Tây Commune Farmers' Association: “With the goal of supporting cooperative members in diversifying eel products, we have connected with specialized agencies and An Giang University (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) to develop techniques for breeding and processing eel meat that meet OCOP standards. Currently, the cooperative has received support with specialized machinery, making it fully capable of supplying dried eel that meets standards to the market.”

Mr. Dang Vu Linh further informed that the cooperative's "3-free" dried eel product, with the criteria of no preservatives, no antibiotics, and no chemicals, has been approved by the Chau Phu District People's Committee as a "OCOP product" of the district in the first phase of 2025. This is a driving force for the cooperative to continue developing eel-based products to serve the market.

“Currently, we have received technology transfer for producing two new products: ready-to-eat dried eel and eel floss, which are expected to be implemented in the near future. We hope that these new products will also be well-received by the market, creating momentum for the Thạnh Mỹ Tây VietGAP Eel Farming and Trade Service Cooperative to develop even better,” Mr. Đặng Vũ Linh added.

Mr. Vuong harvests eel eggs.

Despite achieving some success, the cooperative's dried eel product is still not widely known. As the director of the cooperative, Mr. Nguyen Hai Vuong has introduced the product to consumers in several areas. However, sales have not met expectations. Therefore, Mr. Vuong hopes to receive support in connecting with potential markets so that the cooperative's dried eel product can reach them.

“In reality, we don't have the capacity to fulfill large orders from customers in other areas, or for deliveries that are too far away. Within the province, people are still not very familiar with dried eel; if they try it once, they will appreciate its unique delicious taste. If possible, I hope to participate in more fairs and markets to promote the product, connect with the market, and find a stable outlet for products made from eels raised according to biosafety standards in Thanh My Tay commune,” said Mr. Nguyen Hai Vuong.

MINH QUAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/an-giang-24-gio/thoi-su/phat-trien-con-luon-ocop--a418373.html