Determined to become the leading seafood center in the region

Block frozen pangasius products are exported to the Chinese market and many countries around the world .

Leverage potential

An Giang is blessed with all three aquaculture environments including fresh, salt and brackish water. The province has a coastline of over 200km and a fishing ground of over ^63,000km2 . The system of rivers, canals and streams is dense, with abundant fresh water all year round and the people have a lot of experience in raising aquatic species for export. This is a good condition for the development of the province's aquaculture industry, especially raising aquatic species for export processing and consumption in the market of over 101 million people in Vietnam.

In terms of tra fish export alone, the province has 18 enterprises, 23 processing factories, with a processing capacity of over 350,000 tons/year. For brackish and saltwater aquatic products, in coastal localities such as An Minh, An Bien, Hon Dat, Ha Tien... mollusc farming (blood cockles, green mussels, clams) is considered a strength with a farming area of over 24,000 hectares. The output is over 96,000 tons/year, which shows that the province has great potential in developing aquatic products.

Seeing the potential of the seafood industry, in early 2000, Mr. Doan Toi, currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nam Viet Group, invested in an industrial-scale tra fish farming area; built a seafood processing factory to close the production process. Up to now, this group owns a concentrated aquaculture area of 400 hectares of water surface, providing stable jobs for nearly 7,000 workers. The annual export turnover reaches over 30 million USD and the company's products are exported to 70 countries and territories around the world.

“Nam Viet is one of the leading enterprises of the province, knowing how to take advantage of available advantages and potentials for development. Currently, in addition to cultivation, the aquaculture sector is one of the key economic sectors of the province. In the coming time, the province will focus resources on developing this sector in a modern, green, circular and sustainable direction in all three water areas including fresh, salt and brackish water. To do that, the province prioritizes improving infrastructure, attracting investment, building a closed value chain from breeding, farming areas to processing and export”, said Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Mung.

Currently, the province has many farming areas that have achieved international certifications such as ASC, GlobalGAP, BAP, etc., and a system of modern, high-capacity processing factories, ready to meet the needs of demanding markets such as the US, EU, Japan and China. Mr. Doan Toi commented: “An Giang has a very complete aquatic ecosystem. Freshwater areas promote pangasius farming. Saltwater areas promote sustainable marine farming. The issue now is to strengthen the connection between farmers - businesses - scientists - authorities to jointly create products with high added value, meeting international standards. If this can be done, the province can completely become the aquatic center of the region and the country”.

Currently, in addition to pangasius, raising marine fish species such as cobia and pearl grouper in cages is bringing high economic efficiency. Diversifying farming objects has become a trend, suitable for the current situation of climate change and consumer demand.

Accelerate investment

To realize the goal of becoming the leading aquaculture center of the Mekong Delta and the whole country, the province prioritizes the development of strategic infrastructure, including the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway, regional connecting routes, including links to farming areas, factories, cold storage, river ports, and seaports. According to forecasts, in mid-December this year, the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project will be inaugurated and put into operation, contributing to shortening transportation time, reducing logistics costs, and increasing competitiveness for the province's aquaculture industry. In addition, the province focuses on training high-quality human resources, connecting with institutes and universities to research new breeds, environmentally friendly farming technology, and deep processing.

“We cannot develop the seafood industry with the old mindset, but need to restructure the industry from production, processing to trade promotion and environmental management. Businesses and people must take science, technology and digital transformation as the foundation for development, only then can An Giang soon become the leading center for seafood farming, processing and exporting in the region and the whole country,” affirmed Mr. Ho Van Mung.

An Giang 's goal is not only to become the "capital of pangasius" but also the leading marine farming center in the country, focusing on raising, processing and exporting high-quality seafood in all three water areas including fresh, brackish and salt water. Products bearing the An Giang brand must be more present on the dining tables of global consumers. The strong development of the seafood industry not only helps the province increase GRDP, increase export turnover but also creates tens of thousands of jobs for rural people, contributing to stabilizing people's lives and social security.

With the joint efforts of the government - businesses - people, along with the strategic vision and determination of the political system, An Giang is gradually affirming its new position, becoming a modern, green and sustainable aquaculture center of the Mekong Delta and the whole country.

Article and photos: MINH HIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/quyet-tam-tro-thanh-trung-tam-thuy-san-hang-dau-khu-vuc-a424651.html