Prospects for pearl farming in Hoa Binh Lake

In 2023, Da Giang Eco Cooperative, Tien Phong Commune, Da Bac District, cooperated with enterprises to raise pearls in the Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir. This is a new direction to increase the value of aquatic products and improve the lives of people in the reservoir area. After more than 1 year of farming, Da Giang Eco Cooperative achieved positive results.

Mr. Xa Ngoc Hung, Director of Da Giang Eco Cooperative, said: Hoa Binh Lake has a temperate climate, large water surface area, stable water source, clear water, good light... very favorable for developing freshwater pearl farming. In particular, the quality of pearls after the trial farming on Hoa Binh Lake is also higher than many places, the finished pearls are round, shiny, and have high value... Da Giang Eco Cooperative has released 1,000 oysters. The oysters are put in small cages, the food source is plankton in the water. Oysters are a communal object, easy to make, easy to operate, suitable for all farmers to cultivate. Technical staff can also convey farming techniques to people in the simplest way. Since the farming, oysters have gradually adapted to the water environment here. The Cooperative has also gradually learned from experience and come up with a reasonable care process.

With the advantages bestowed by nature, freshwater pearl farming is a new direction, opening up potential for economic development in the Hoa Binh Lake area. According to Mr. Hung, this is a profession that requires a lot of capital, the farming cycle is long, short is also 2-3 years, to have good pearls it takes 3-5 years. In addition, there are additional costs, maintenance, care, labor... In return, pearls have a very large market potential, the current selling price for grade 1 pearls can be up to 20,000 USD/kg. The output for pearl products is also very rich. Currently, pearl export to Japan, China... is very favorable. Pearl farming also makes the water environment clean, reduces water pollution, and can be combined with fish farming. With the characteristic of filtering water to catch prey such as diatoms and organic debris in the water, pearl farming also contributes significantly to limiting the pollution of ponds and lakes, protecting the environment of the lake area.

In addition to the main product of pearls, oyster meat is also used as food or feed in livestock; oyster shells are used as a source of fertilizer... creating a closed-loop agricultural model associated with tourism for sustainable development. Pearl farming is suitable for the trend and development orientation of the locality because it both develops the economy and does not harm the aquatic environment, oysters' food is mainly plankton, algae... available in nature.

Through the farming process, it can be seen that pearl farming brings many benefits in terms of economic value. This model is also making an important contribution to local experiential tourism activities.

Viet Lam

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Source: http://www.baohoabinh.com.vn/12/190702/Trien-vong-nuoi-trai-lay-ngoc-tren-vung-ho-Hoa-Binh.htm