Developing VietGAP fish along river

A farmer of Song Ray commnune is checking his fish

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Water advantage

Song Ray is known as the biggest mulberry and rice growing area in Cam My district. Thanks to natural advantages, local development orientation, along with the adaptation of the people, a new model of farming has been established and developed, which is raising freshwater fish in ponds.

Mr. Ngo Ba Hoa (Hamlet 10), the largest fish farmer in Song Ray commune, said that in the past, people living along rivers and streams knew how to take advantage of water sources to raise fish. However, due to unstable water sources, small farming and failure in compliance with technical processes, the economic efficiency is very low. Since the irrigation works carrying water from streams and reservoirs on the Ray River to the field are put into stable operation (in 2016), pond fish farming has also flourished. For example, his family, from a few acres of renovated farmland, up to now has developed 3.5 hectares of fish ponds: tilapia, major carp, and carp with an average yield of 60 tons/ year, earning profits of 300 million dong/ year.

According to statistics, at present, Song Ray commune has nearly 400 households raising freshwater fish in ponds with a total area of 70ha. The average profit is from VND 70-100 million/ ha/ year.

Ms. Bui Thi Lien, Vice Chairman of Song Ray Commune People's Committee, said that fish farming in ponds is opening a new direction for hundreds of households and contributing to restructuring agricultural economy in the commune. “To support fish raising households, the commune has organized training sessions on raising techniques for farmers. Besides, the Commune Farmers' Union also acts as a bridge to support farmers to borrow capital to expand the pond area.” said Ms. Lien.

Switch to raising VietGAP fish

Thanks to the interest and development orientation of local authorities, many fish farmers in Song Ray have transformed from traditional farming to VietGAP to produce products that meet market demand.
As a pioneer of raising fish model according to VietGAP technique, Ms. Dong Thi Huong (Hamlet 10) said that compared to the traditional farming method, the VietGAP model of raising fish feeds the stock with the amount of bran in moderation, with periodical water supply from canals and ditches outside into ponds. After each harvest, fingerlings are not released into ponds right away, but the ponds should be disinfected with powdered lime and the mud is exposed for about 2 weeks to limit pathogens for the fish. Currently, Ms. Huong pond has a surface area of nearly 5 hectares for harvesting 35-40 tons of snakehead/ year. With the average selling price of VND 50,000/ kg, she earns more than VND 1.5 billion, of which the profit was about 1/3.

“As I have had experience in pond fish farming before, I don't have any difficulty switching to the VietGAP model. Bran is delivered by the supplying company to site; officers come to the pond to deliver their technical guidances; and traders have their self-scheduling for fish harvest, which is very convenient. I am investing in self-producing tanks for seeds for my family and to provide to the local farming households”- Ms. Hong shared the plan.

Mr. Vu Hong Quang, Head of VietGAP Farming Cooperative Group, said that there have been 11 members with more than 10 hectares of ponds certified with VietGAP standards. According to the evaluation of the cooperative group, raising fish according to the VietGAP process is less prone to diseases, low loss rate, saving food quantity and more importantly, stable output and higher price. “Currently, many households are adopting fish farming according to the GAP process. We instruct on techniques, how to take care of fish, once we are certified with GAP, we will begin to admit members.” said Mr. Quang.

At present, this commune has set up a group of clean fish farming group in hamlet 10. In the coming time, raising fish group will be established in other hamlets and groups will be linked to establish a cooperative.