Developing green damselfish farming in Mai Chau district

Considered as "fish for the king", the green dam fish product in Mai Chau district has affirmed its position in the market for many years because of its delicious and attractive taste when processed into dishes, listed on the menu by many restaurants, and sought after by traders. Since then, people in many communes in the district have maintained and expanded the area of ​​fish ponds, gradually increasing income, creating jobs for people, and developing into a strong product of the locality.

The green dam fish farming model of farmers in Nghe hamlet, Van Mai commune (Mai Chau) brings high economic efficiency and sustainable development.

One of the people with large fish ponds and many years of experience, Mr. Kha Van Nhi, Nghe hamlet, Van Mai commune, said: "My family has been raising green dam fish for nearly 15 years now, currently has 700 m2 of ponds raising green dam fish for sale. This fish breed adapts well to the environment so it grows and develops strongly, and has not suffered any significant damage since it was raised. Thanks to many years of experience in raising fish, regular care and monitoring, the fish are always healthy, traders often order early, and the output is stable. My family raises 4 ponds, sells once every 3 years, on average each fish weighs 1.5 - 2 kg, selling price 230 - 250,000 VND/kg depending on weight. There is a pond where I raise fish for 4 - 5 years before selling, selling price 300,000 VND/kg. On average, each year, the fish farming model brings the family an income of 80 - 100 million VND".

With its economic value and efficiency, the green dam fish farming industry in Mai Chau has developed strongly in the communes of Van Mai, Mai Hich, Mai Ha... with a total pond area of ​​nearly 35 hectares; small households have from 100 - 200 m2, large households have from 500 - 1,000 m2 of pond. The common feature of the communes is that there are many underground water streams flowing from rocky mountain crevices, cool and fresh, which are suitable conditions for green dam fish to grow and develop. With the desire to bring the product closer to consumers inside and outside the district, the People's Committee of Mai Chau district has allocated resources, coordinated with the Center for Application and Scientific Information under the Department of Science and Technology to successfully build an intellectual property protection label; create, manage and develop the certification label "Mai Chau green dam fish". Thereby continuing to affirm the brand and strength of green dam fish in the market.

To replicate the model, a reasonable design of the fish pond is essential for the fish to grow and develop well. Because the green dam fish is a cold-water fish, accustomed to living in a natural environment, clean water, cannot be raised in stagnant ponds, the water flow needs to circulate continuously, so it is necessary to design a reasonable water intake and discharge. In the district, there is a cool Sia stream flowing along many communes and water springs, streams from the mountains, stable flow, clear are favorable conditions for the green dam fish to develop. The fish are resistant to diseases, withstand harsh weather, especially the cold climate of the Mai Chau rocky mountains, so it is suitable for replication if the locality has similar natural conditions.

The green damselfish products supplied to the market are well received. Many diners evaluate that the fish meat is of good quality, has a rich and delicious flavor, although it is pond fish, the meat is as firm as wild-caught fish. The basic characteristics of green damselfish are slow growth, firm meat; the longer it is raised, the sweeter the meat, the higher the price. Some households even raise fish for 5 years before selling, the fish are large from 3.5 - 5kg, priced at over 350,000 VND/kg, the output is stable, restaurants and hotels order all products.

In order to maintain the quality and increase the value of green dam fish products, while maintaining and expanding the area, local authorities in the district have been focusing on developing green dam fish into a key commodity product, increasing people's income. To support households in developing production, localities have implemented many credit loan programs, opened training courses, study tours, and shared experiences in raising green dam fish with people. From there, the model has been effectively replicated, finding a stable market, making green dam fish a prominent local specialty.

Hoang Anh

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/12/201422/Phat-trien-nuoi-ca-dam-xanh-o-huyen-Mai-Chau.htm