Quang Ninh realizes its aspiration to become a modern marine economic center

Digital transformation and high-tech agricultural development are inevitable paths for Quang Ninh to realize its aspiration of becoming a modern maritime economic center of the country.

Faced with severe climate change, resource depletion and green growth pressure, many traditional agricultural production models are no longer suitable. To improve productivity, quality, added value of products and protect the environment, innovation in thinking and taking science and technology and digital transformation as the foundation are key solutions to create new growth momentum for the agricultural sector of Quang Ninh province.

Highlights of Vietnamese-Australian shrimp breeding

In recent years, the advantage of natural coastal ponds and lagoons has helped Quang Ninh province develop aquaculture. Shrimp is one of the products that bring high income to households and businesses. In particular, Quang Ninh has proactively sourced high-quality shrimp seeds locally thanks to appropriate policies and the efforts of the enterprise, Viet-Uc Quang Ninh Company Limited.

Workers of Viet-Uc Quang Ninh Company Limited check the quality of shrimp seeds. Photo: Cuong Vu.

Since the first batch of shrimp seed was introduced to the market in March 2019, the Company has continuously improved product quality. Taking advantage of incentives and favorable conditions from Quang Ninh province, Viet-Uc Group has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of strategic cooperation with the province in its field, especially in applying high-tech equipment and process systems.

Typical examples include shrimp farming using microorganisms, mixing algae; settling systems, circulating water treatment, UV filtration systems; broodstock selection technology. In particular, the Real-time PCR laboratory of Viet-Uc Quang Ninh has the capacity to test for 7 types of shrimp diseases according to international standards...

The synchronous and modern investment solutions for the entire production line have helped the shrimp breeds of Viet-Uc Quang Ninh Company Limited to be significantly improved year by year in both capacity and quality. That is because the parent shrimp have been carefully selected for their genes to have qualities suitable for the soil, climate and water conditions in Quang Ninh.

When produced locally, the fry are transported from the production farm to the farming site in the shortest possible time, helping to maintain the best health condition... In 2022, Viet - Uc Quang Ninh Company Limited successfully researched and selected shrimp breeds with cold-resistant genetic codes, allowing shrimp farming to last throughout the year instead of having to hibernate, thereby optimizing investment costs for farmers and businesses.

High-tech, multi-layer, multi-species marine farming

In 2022, the model of seaweed farming combined with Pacific oyster farming and experiential tourism on Phat Co Island (Van Don Special Zone) was implemented by the Department of Fisheries (Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Ninh) in coordination with STP Group Joint Stock Company. After more than 2 years, an aquaculture farm using all modern HDPE plastic floating materials has been established here to promote the process of converting to a green and sustainable marine farming infrastructure.

STP Group's high-tech marine farm in Van Don. Photo: Nguyen Thanh.

Instead of raising a single species, STP Group develops a multi-layer - multi-species farming model: fish are raised on the surface, oysters are raised in the middle layer to help "filter the living water" and seaweed absorbs nutrients dissolved with CO₂. This closed ecosystem not only helps increase productivity but also regenerates the marine environment, minimizing emissions and pollution.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Binh, General Director of STP Group, said that with the existing 5 hectares of water surface, the farming areas are arranged in the form of intercropping, multi-species and applying AI to analyze the prey capture of aquatic products to automatically adjust the appropriate amount of food as well as minimize excess food affecting the marine environment.

The model also uses a German sensor system to continuously measure the farming environment to have a prevention plan. According to Ms. Binh, the model not only focuses on developing new technology in aquaculture but also offers a model that combines farming and tourism, creating a unique experience for visitors. Thereby helping to increase income for local people and contribute to the conservation and regeneration of marine ecological resources.

"After Typhoon Yagi in 2024, many aquaculture households in Quang Ninh suffered heavy losses due to applying traditional farming methods with unsustainable wooden cages, bamboo, and foam buoys. When a big storm occurs, assets are swept away, cages are destroyed, and become floating waste, causing economic losses and environmental pollution.

Despite thorough investment, STP still suffered nearly 10 billion VND in damage due to the storm. However, thanks to the application of modern positioning technology, the unit has recovered about 95% of the farming infrastructure, significantly reducing losses compared to traditional methods. This is a clear demonstration of the role of science and technology in minimizing risks and protecting assets for marine farmers," Ms. Binh shared.

Digital transformation is the inevitable direction

Along with the initiative of cooperatives and enterprises, in recent times, Quang Ninh province has also carried out a number of tasks under the Program to Support the Application and Transfer of Scientific and Technological Advances to promote socio-economic development in rural, mountainous and ethnic minority areas.

The lives of Dong Trieu farmers have improved over the years thanks to the Atlantic potato production chain. Photo: Cuong Vu.

Typical examples include the application of science and technology to build a model for seed production and commercial farming of blood cockles; building a model for super-intensive white-leg shrimp farming in two stages with little water change according to Truc Anh technology; researching diseases and pests on some bivalve mollusks and proposing prevention solutions; perfecting technology for seed production and commercial farming of sea worms on a commercial scale; perfecting technology for seed production and commercial farming of leopard grouper...

These tasks have contributed to improving the economic efficiency of businesses and aquaculture households in the project area thanks to the support of new technologies, suitable to the local socio-economic conditions. This is also an important initial step in the process of converting traditional farming models to green, high-tech, export-standard circular models.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Ninh, said that the province's agricultural sector aims to carry out synchronous and comprehensive digital transformation towards developing high-tech agriculture and smart agriculture, focusing on key local products, while developing e-commerce in agriculture.

Digital transformation and high-tech agricultural development are inevitable paths for Quang Ninh to successfully achieve the goal of building a smart and sustainable fisheries industry, contributing to realizing the aspiration of becoming a modern marine economic center of the country, harmoniously combining potential exploitation, environmental protection and international integration.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/quang-ninh-hien-thuc-hoa-khat-vong-tro-thanh-trung-tam-kinh-te-bien-hien-dai-d781334.html