Mangrove-Aquaculture model: A sustainable income solution for farmers

This model not only ensures sustainable income for farmers but also significantly contributes to increasing forest coverage and enhancing the mangrove ecosystem in Tra Vinh.

Huynh Van Tai from Long Vinh Commune, Duyen Hai District, has been implementing the forest-aquaculture model for eight years. On 4 hectares of saline land, he has dug ponds and planted mangrove trees such as mangroves and nipa palms, allocating 40% of the area for forest and 60% for water surfaces. The shaded areas provide habitats for shrimp, fish, and crabs.

Tai stocks about 50,000 black tiger shrimp and 8,000 mud crabs annually in his ponds. The farming process incurs minimal feed costs, as the natural environment supports the growth of aquatic species. His annual income exceeds VND 150 million, with additional earnings from naturally occurring fish species like mullet and goby, which enter the system through water gates.

Le Van Lam, a farmer in Long Khanh Commune, Duyen Hai District, manages 5 hectares under the same model, combining black tiger shrimp, white-leg shrimp, mud crabs, and fish farming. Each year, he stocks 55,000 shrimp and 10,000 crabs, while also benefiting from natural fish sources. Due to the high-quality, eco-friendly farming environment, his products sell at prices 20% higher than those from industrial farming, earning him a net profit of around 200 million VND annually.

Lam noted that the fragmented terrain and limited family capital made it impractical to invest in high-tech industrial shrimp farming. Instead, he opted for the forest-aquaculture model, which involves planting mangroves along and within ponds to create shaded areas. This helps aquatic species thrive during extreme weather, reducing disease risks and ensuring stable growth.

Pham Thi Hong Diem, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Office in Duyen Hai District, highlighted that over 1,000 households in the district are engaged in the forest-aquaculture model, covering approximately 865 hectares.

“The model reduces disease risks, cuts feed costs by over 80%, and allows farmers to harvest selectively, selling premium-size shrimp and fish at higher prices,” Diem explained.

Tran Truong Giang, Director of Tra Vinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, revealed that the province currently has around 5,750 hectares of integrated forest-aquaculture farming in coastal areas, including Duyen Hai District, Duyen Hai Town, Cau Ngang, and Chau Thanh. The province encourages farmers to expand the model to combat climate change impacts while ensuring economic efficiency and ecosystem sustainability.

Tra Vinh has allocated over 23,980 hectares of coastal land, with 12,250 hectares for forest development and nearly 11,730 hectares for aquaculture. The province supports farmers by subsidizing 50% of mangrove seedling costs, up to VND 37 million per hectare, for areas of 0.3 hectares or more.

This policy aims to protect the environment, mitigate natural disasters, and provide sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

VFM