Soc Trang enhances freshwater fisheries value chain
In Soc Trang, farmers in low-lying areas are bustling with the harvest season for various freshwater fish farming models, such as ca dang quang (fish net enclosures) and rice-fish farming.
Nguyen Van Chung, a farmer in Ward 2, Nga Nam Town, has transitioned 8 hectares of his rice fields from the autumn-winter crop to a fish net enclosure model. Using nets to encircle his rice fields and trap natural fish, his family has cultivated this method for nearly a decade. On average, the annual income from this model is nearly 100 million VND, 2-3 times higher than growing autumn-winter rice. This year, with an estimated 2 tons of fish, including snakehead, yellow catfish, gourami, and climbing perch, his earnings are expected to reach 120 million VND. The primary costs involve purchasing nets, which last 2-3 cycles, and minimal labor for nighttime management.
Similarly, Ngo Van Khai operates a 5-hectare fish net enclosure on his rice fields. Due to frequent flooding in the low-lying areas, he shifted to fish farming, which begins in May and concludes by November. Using natural feed from the rice fields, his family is set to earn approximately 60 million VND after expenses this season—significantly more than rice cultivation.
According to Le Hoai Phong, Vice Chairman of Ward 2, Nga Nam Town, over 200 hectares are dedicated to fish net enclosure and rice-fish farming models. These methods not only create a buffer period between rice crop cycles to prevent pests but also enhance soil quality by incorporating fish waste, reducing fertilizer costs by over 30%. The local government is encouraging farmers in low-lying, flood-prone areas to adopt these models to increase income per unit area
Vo Van Be, Head of the Nga Nam Town Economic Office, stated that the town has 18,500 hectares of rice production, focusing on two main crops: winter-spring and summer-autumn. For the 3,500 hectares allocated to freshwater fish models in 2024, the annual yield is expected to reach 12,000-14,000 tons. The town is also fostering the development of processed products from freshwater fish, with 13 certified OCOP products rated 3 stars.
Local businesses are capitalizing on the abundant fish supply. For instance, Tam Duc Tin Company produces over 20 dried and fermented fish products, including dried snakehead fish and fermented boneless gourami, two of which have achieved 3-star OCOP certification. The company processes more than 5 tons of fish annually, supplying markets across southern, central, and northern Vietnam. Investments in modern facilities, such as insect-proof drying houses and frozen storage, ensure product quality.
Huynh Ngoc Nha, Director of Soc Trang’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, views rice-fish farming as a long-term development strategy for low-lying areas. The department has proposed a project to the provincial government to enhance freshwater fish resources, create farming models, and strengthen value chain linkages across four lowland districts and towns. This initiative aims to unlock the potential of freshwater aquaculture, contributing significantly to the province’s economic growth in the coming years.
VFM
