Hau Giang: Farmers begin harvesting fish from rice fields

This year’s early floods have led to higher yields and selling prices, bringing significant profits to many households engaged in rice field fish farming.

Despite the chilly mornings, the enthusiasm among local farmers remains high. The model requires low investment and is less weather-dependent compared to a third rice crop. This year’s prolonged flood season allowed fish to grow larger than usual.

For nearly a decade, Tran Be Ba from Hoa My commune, Phung Hiep district, has stocked 20 kilograms of fish fingerlings annually on his 5,000 square meters of rice fields. “This year, the early floods provided ample natural food for the fish. Normally, my family harvests less than 300 kilograms, but this year we collected nearly 400 kilograms, earning almost VND 6 million, an increase of VND 2 million compared to last year,” Ba shared. He noted that rice field fish primarily rely on natural food such as leftover grains, pests, and nutrients from floodwaters. On average, this year’s fish weighed over 1 kilogram, about 0.2 kilograms heavier than last year.

Higher prices boost income

Not only did yields improve, but fish prices also rose by nearly 30% compared to previous years. Common species like silver carp and grass carp, which sold for VND 12,000 and VND 15,000 per kilogram respectively last year, now fetch VND 18,000 and VND 22,000. Other fish, such as tilapia, yellow catfish, and naturally occurring species like snakehead and climbing perch, also saw slight price increases.

Huynh Thi Ngoc, a trader from Co Do district, Can Tho city, said, “Silver and grass carp are primarily processed into fish cakes. This year’s fish are larger and of better quality, which has improved buying prices.”

In Phung Hiep district alone, rice field fish farming covered 4,298 hectares this year, surpassing the planned 3,300 hectares. Farmers have already harvested 1,080 hectares, with an average yield of 1.1 tons per hectare—300 kilograms higher than previous years. Total production has reached nearly 1,200 tons, with selling prices ranging from VND 18,000 to VND 25,000 per kilogram, depending on the species.

According to Tran Van Tuan, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Office in Phung Hiep, the average profit per hectare this year exceeded VND 10 million, marking a 20–30% increase over the past five years.

Economic and environmental benefits

As of late October, Hau Giang farmers had stocked 12,901 hectares of aquatic species, achieving 112% of the annual target, with nearly 9,000 hectares dedicated to rice field fish farming. Beyond its economic benefits, this model helps break crop cycles and improve soil fertility. Fish consume algae and weeds, reducing input costs for the next rice crop by an average of VND 1 million per hectare.

Rice field fish farming has become a hallmark of Hau Giang, blending natural adaptation with community cooperation. Farmers share resources and labor, reducing losses during the farming process. During harvest, they come together to help one another, celebrating the success of the season while planning for the upcoming winter-spring rice crop amidst laughter and camaraderie.

VFM