Lai Chau: Effective disease control in cold-water fish farming

Vu Huu Luong, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department in Phong Tho District, emphasized that as fish farming scales up, farmers must closely monitor fish health and report any signs of illness to specialized agencies and local authorities for timely intervention. They should immediately report any signs of disease to specialized agencies and local authorities to enable timely interventions.

In the event of a disease outbreak, it is essential to disinfect the water in fish tanks and to perform routine disinfection using approved chemicals at the recommended doses to control pathogens and prevent the spread to nearby areas. Proper waste management is also necessary, ensuring untreated or inadequately treated water is not discharged into the environment.

Farmers are advised to use antibiotics correctly—following specified dosages, methods, and timing—to prevent antibiotic resistance in harmful bacteria. Adding vitamin C and multivitamins to fish feed (2-3g/kg) over a period of 5-7 days can help boost immunity and reduce the impact of bacterial diseases.

Cold-water fish farming requires considerable investment and technical expertise, limiting the number of farmers willing to participate. As a result, local authorities are working to attract businesses and cooperatives to form production partnerships and provide market access. Authorities are also offering training programs to help farmers develop sustainable cold-water fish farming practices.

In Tam Duong District, a leader in cold-water fish production in Lai Chau, large-scale farming operations are located in Son Binh, Ho Thau, and Khun Ha communes. Currently, the district has 366 tanks with a combined volume of nearly 33,000 cubic meters, producing over 300 tons of fish annually. Some farms have started producing their own fish stock to ensure stable production and better disease control.

The People’s Committee of Lai Chau has approved a land-use plan for 2021-2030 for Tam Duong District, designating an 18-hectare area in Son Binh for cold-water fish farming.

Despite these advances, Lai Chau’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development points to several challenges. Infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, is underdeveloped in farming areas, and high initial costs, inconsistent fish stock quality, and a lack of attention to area-specific codes further hinder the industry’s growth.

To address these issues, the Department has proposed a medium-term public investment plan for 2026-2030. This includes constructing 35kV power lines, substations, and roads to potential farming sites, establishing disease control stations, implementing area-specific registration codes, and encouraging investment in cold-water fish farming infrastructure and breeding facilities.

VFM