• Field inspection of the shrimp-rice farming model in Long Dien Dong A commune.
  • The finest shrimp and crab from Ca Mau
  • Ca Mau signs cooperation agreement to expand super-intensive shrimp farming model.

Since the issuance of Government Resolution No. 09/2000/ND-CP dated June 15, 2000, allowing the conversion of inefficient rice, salt, and coastal wetland areas to shrimp farming, many shrimp farming models have continuously developed in Ca Mau over the years, from traditional extensive farming methods and improved extensive farming to intensive and super-intensive farming. In particular, integrated extensive farming models such as shrimp-mangrove, shrimp-rice, and shrimp-crab-fish are increasingly expanding, as they are both highly economically efficient and sustainable in the face of challenges from climate change and diseases.

Vast mangrove forests stretch across the Ca Mau peninsula. (Photo by Nhat Minh)

To date, the total shrimp farming area in the province has reached approximately 427,212 hectares, of which improved extensive shrimp farming accounts for 198,042 hectares; integrated extensive farming (shrimp-mangrove, shrimp-rice, shrimp-crab-fish, etc.) accounts for about 197,216 hectares; and the remainder is intensive and super-intensive farming.

One of the highlights in the province's diverse agricultural landscape is the shrimp-mangrove and shrimp-rice farming models. At numerous workshops and conferences, experts, local authorities, businesses, and residents have affirmed that this model generates high and sustainable income in the face of climate change challenges, creating a source of products that meet the consumption trends of both domestic and international markets.

To maximize this potential, the province has recently focused many resources on developing shrimp-mangrove and shrimp-rice farming areas in a clean, ecological, and organic direction. Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Company Limited is a pioneer in implementing shrimp-rice and shrimp-mangrove farming areas with organic rice and ASC-certified shrimp, along with many ecological certifications from international organizations such as Naturland, EU Organic, BIO Suisse, Canada ORG, etc., thereby building responsible farming practices for sustainable development and increasing income for the people.

As one of the households participating in the shrimp farming model certified as ecological shrimp by Minh Phu Certified Social Shrimp Company Limited, Mr. Bui Van Si, from Tac Bien hamlet, Phan Ngoc Hien commune, said: "My family received support and guidance on technical procedures, especially in the seedling stage before stocking, so the survival rate increased significantly, and production efficiency increased 3-4 times compared to before. With more than 5 hectares of land, my family earns about 400-500 million VND per year from shrimp and crab, in addition to profits from fish and forest trees."

An effective ecological shrimp farming model of households in Tac Bien hamlet, Phan Ngoc Hien commune. (Photo: Chi Hieu)

In the province's brackish water ecosystem, the ecological and organic shrimp-rice farming model yields high economic value. At the Quyet Tien Agricultural, Fisheries, and Service Cooperative (Hamlet 4, Tri Phai Commune), the ASC-certified shrimp farming model, covering 103 hectares belonging to over 40 cooperative members and 117 hectares belonging to 63 neighboring households, has generated high incomes.

Mr. Vo Van Diep, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative, said that when participating in the model, cooperative members and farmers received technical support and breeding stock from Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Company Limited, which significantly increased efficiency, with many households achieving a harvest of 100 million VND/hectare/farming season.

The development of the shrimp industry in recent years has made Ca Mau the province with the largest area of ​​ecological shrimp farming in the country. The province's shrimp has reached many demanding markets such as Australia, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

Although the current shrimp farming productivity of the shrimp-mangrove and shrimp-rice farming models is not as high as other shrimp farming methods, it compensates with low costs, stability, sustainability, and the potential to protect and develop the forest. In particular, in addition to the resources of shrimp, crabs, and fish, many households in mangrove areas have taken advantage of the natural advantages to develop their economy through community tourism models. Experiential activities for tourists such as: exploring the forest by boat, catching shrimp in ponds, or catching crabs with cages... not only increase income for the people but also contribute to preserving the ecosystem and forest resources.

The province's breakthrough shrimp production development plan for 2025 aims to develop Ca Mau's shrimp industry into an efficient and sustainable shrimp farming center in the Mekong Delta and the whole country, contributing to the province's GRDP growth of 8% or more in 2025 and achieving double-digit growth in the following years.

Shrimp from ecological mangrove forests are a type of clean shrimp with high economic value and are favored by many markets. (Photo: Nhat Minh)

Mr. Lam Ngoc Buu, Deputy Head of the Fisheries Sub-Department, said that the province is currently focusing on organizing concentrated farming areas linked to production chains; linking with international organizations and businesses to implement shrimp-mangrove and shrimp-rice models that meet international certification standards such as ASC, Naturland, Organic... associated with developing the "Ca Mau Ecological Shrimp" brand.

By the end of 2025, the province aims to achieve an improved extensive shrimp farming area of ​​387,000 hectares and an estimated 40,000 hectares of intensive and super-intensive shrimp farming area; a total aquaculture production of 907,000 tons, including 565,000 tons of shrimp; and export revenue of approximately 2.43 billion USD.

Nguyen Phu

                    

Source: https://baocamau.vn/san-xuat-thuan-thien-a123172.html