Digitalization trend

In reality, the application of digital technology in shrimp farming management has been implemented by some businesses and farm owners to optimize several stages in the shrimp farming process and also in the consumption stage. This helps save time, reduce risks, increase the success rate of shrimp farming, and improve efficiency in each farming season. Although not yet widespread or truly synchronized, the application of digital technology in shrimp farming has attracted attention from businesses and shrimp farmers. One of the pioneers in bringing digital technology to shrimp farming quite comprehensively is Dr. Nguyen Thanh My (Dr. My), the founder of Salicornia Ngon Bien Company in Duyen Hai district, Tra Vinh province.

Shrimp counters, one of the digital technology devices that were applied quite early in shrimp farming. Photo: TICH CHU

According to Dr. My, digital transformation involves three steps: data digitization, process digitization (process automation), and digital transformation. The goal is to collect large amounts of intelligent data to create new value. However, to give farmers more options to reduce costs, he proposed a solution with three levels: manual, semi-automatic, and automatic. He illustrated: "For example, using a smartphone (with a dedicated app installed) to take a picture of a shrimp will allow the system to provide information on growth rate, shrimp diseases, etc." Currently, in addition to Tra Vinh province, Dr. My's model is also being tested in Ben Tre, Soc Trang , and Bac Lieu provinces.

With this model, farmers only need to install the Rynan Mekong app from the App Store on their smartphones to remotely control and update the shrimp's condition and monitor the water quality via their phone screen. In particular, the smart shrimp feeder (model AIF 100) features an AI-powered algorithm that integrates with monitoring stations and environmental and shrimp parameter measuring devices to determine the daily feed amount, saving up to 20% on feed.

Another pioneering company in applying digitalization to shrimp farming is Otanics Technology Joint Stock Company - a member of Minh Phu Seafood Group Joint Stock Company. Otanics currently owns the Tomota system - an application of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to monitor shrimp pond operations. With this system, with just a few swipes and taps on the Tomota application, managers can instantly receive information on shrimp weight, size, growth rate, forecast pond profitability, create charts of expected pond yield models, monitor the energy consumption of aeration and automatic feeding systems, forecast income and costs, and collect harvest data…

For example, the Tomota S3 technology can count, size, measure the dimensions and weight of up to 4,000 shrimp larvae in just 10 seconds with 95% accuracy. Similarly, the Tomota A3 (image processing technology) can analyze and evaluate four important parameters: pH, alkalinity, TAN, and nitrite, using images of farmed shrimp captured with a smartphone. Based on this data, reliable and accurate information is provided, enabling effective monitoring of stocking density; optimizing water quality management measures; preventing negative impacts on shrimp health; and maintaining an ideal water environment for healthy shrimp growth.

The effectiveness of digital technology advancements in shrimp farming is undeniable, but widespread application of these advancements is far from simple. This is due to existing limitations and shortcomings, including the high proportion of small-scale farming areas; high investment costs, coupled with a shortage of capital for shrimp farmers; and the level of technical expertise and technological application skills. Even in large-scale farms within the province, the synchronized application of digital technology is still lacking due to a shortage of data and input information. Furthermore, the cost of these devices is very high, and their durability is poor given the complex pond water environment. Therefore, daily environmental monitoring at the farms is currently only carried out using semi-manual methods.

If large-scale farms face such difficulties, small and medium-sized shrimp farmers face even greater challenges, often due to constraints in capital and the inability to proficiently utilize technology. This is the biggest obstacle to introducing digital technology into shrimp farming, and only genuine collaborative production can overcome it. Therefore, the application of digital technology in shrimp farming currently remains at a semi-manual level, even in large-scale farms.

According to Mr. Ho Quoc Luc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sao Ta Food Joint Stock Company, for over a decade, customers in Europe have been requesting the installation of cameras and sensors to monitor developments in shrimp ponds. Basic indicators of water quality are displayed on smartphone screens. Cameras can even monitor whether shrimp are healthy or stressed, and whether they are eating more or less. However, to obtain accurate results, complete data and input information are necessary. Currently, the data infrastructure in the shrimp farming industry is still insufficient. “Nevertheless, we are very interested in this issue and recently collaborated with Dr. My in Tra Vinh on environmental monitoring devices, but it is still under review and has not yet been implemented. We will continue to research and will certainly follow this trend, but we must do so step by step, adapting to the actual conditions,” Mr. Luc shared.

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Source: https://baosoctrang.org.vn/kinh-te/202505/xu-the-so-hoa-f12506a/