Pioneering application of Real-time PCR machine to improve shrimp seed quality

As part of a series of activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam Fisheries Industry (April 1, 1959 - April 1, 2024), recently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province, Binh Thuan Shrimp Association coordinated with the Institute of Training and Applied Research of Aquaculture Technology - SABIO to open a branch for shrimp disease testing in Vinh Hao commune - Tuy Phong district.

Attending the event were Mr. Nguyen Van Chien - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh - Chairman of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association - Chairman of Nam Mien Trung Group, Mr. Nguyen Van Son - Vice Chairman of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association - General Director of Truong Thinh Company and members of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh - Chairman of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association.

This is the first time that businesses and shrimp farmers in the province have had access to one of the most modern shrimp disease testing equipment available today. The Real-time PCR testing machine will help farmers identify new strains of bacteria in aquatic products, thereby providing timely treatment solutions when an epidemic occurs. Recently, the shrimp industry has been severely affected by a number of new and re-emerging diseases. One of the main diseases is AHPND, also known as early mortality syndrome (EMS), a disease caused by bacteria. This disease has led to serious mortality rates (up to 100%) in whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp populations and caused significant economic losses to the shrimp farming industry.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chien - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province

In addition, shrimp farmers also encounter other diseases such as white feces disease and EHP disease, for which there is still no effective treatment. Therefore, the shrimp disease testing branch has been put into operation with modern machinery, capable of testing 50 types of aquatic products, including 21 types of shrimp diseases. According to researchers, this machine gives accurate and fast results, helping farmers have timely disease treatment solutions, limiting economic losses when shrimp die en masse.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh - Chairman of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association said: "Binh Thuan is a place that supplies shrimp seeds with a large output in the country (about 25%). Recently, shrimp farmers in the province are facing a situation of releasing seeds but dying in large numbers, causing heavy losses for farmers in particular and affecting the shrimp industry in general. The establishment of a branch for testing shrimp diseases will help farmers determine whether the seeds are sick or not before bringing them to the farming area, helping farmers minimize risks when releasing seeds."

The SABIO branch established in the province will help shrimp seed production facilities check the quality before selling to the market.

It is known that Binh Thuan supplies the country with 25 billion post larvae each year. Therefore, the establishment of the SABIO branch in the province will help shrimp seed production facilities check the quality before selling to the market. Thanks to that, Binh Thuan shrimp seeds will increasingly affirm their brand and quality and will be an advantageous product serving the strategic goal of developing the Vietnamese shrimp industry until 2025 according to Decision No. 79 dated January 18, 2018 of the Prime Minister.

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