Raising all-male giant freshwater prawns is 'easy to raise, big profit'

"Sweet fruits" from models and projects

Hai Phong has many potentials and advantages for developing brackish, saltwater and freshwater aquaculture with a total estimated area of ​​over 11 thousand hectares. In particular, freshwater aquaculture is concentrated in the districts of Tien Lang, Vinh Bao, An Lao, Kien Thuy, Kien An... and diverse species such as grass carp, common carp, tilapia, catfish, giant freshwater prawn, ornamental fish...

All-male giant freshwater prawn farming model in Tien Lang district. Photo: Dinh Muoi.

As for giant freshwater prawn, this is a high economic value farming species, strongly developed in Hai Phong since 1998. However, due to the low technical and management level of farmers, traditional shrimp breeds, and the ratio of female prawns in the pond being higher than male prawns, development and expansion are slow.

Faced with this situation, in recent years, the Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center has implemented many pilot models with surprising results, not only increasing income but also having environmental and social value. For example, in 2022, it was implemented at the household of Mr. Nguyen Van Dam, residing in Tan Dan commune, An Lao district with a scale of 1 hectare. This is a household with many years of experience in raising giant freshwater prawns but the efficiency is not high due to many limitations.

After participating in the model, he was supported with seeds, food and techniques, and closely and systematically monitored, so productivity improved, survival rate was high, and costs were reduced. Taking advantage of the success, Mr. Nguyen Van Dam expanded the model to 7 hectares, each year earning about 15 tons of shrimp with an average price of more than 300 thousand/kg.

“Raising giant freshwater prawns is easier than raising whiteleg shrimp, although the productivity is lower, about 2 tons/ha/1 crop compared to 30 tons/2 crops. However, giant freshwater prawns have a higher price and are less susceptible to diseases, so the overall efficiency is still better,” said Mr. Dam.

In 2024, the Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center will deploy a model of raising giant freshwater prawns at Mr. Pham Van Nhieu's household, residing in Tien Minh commune, Tien Lang district, with a trial scale of 0.7 hectares. This is a selected household that meets the required criteria and voluntarily participates in the project and commits to comply with the technical process, instructions, and regulations of the project.

During the model implementation process, in addition to being supported with 50% of the breed, food, chemicals, biological products, etc., the household was also assigned a master's degree and an engineer specializing in aquaculture by the Agricultural Extension Center, who are capable of guiding farmers in developing aquaculture.

People are excited about the results achieved when participating in the model. Photo: Dinh Muoi.

These officers have been trained in aquatic diseases and epidemiology, trained in VietGAP aquaculture standards, and are capable of providing technical guidance on all-male giant freshwater prawn farming to provide professional and technical support.

To ensure output, Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center has supported people to cooperate with businesses to purchase products after harvest. People fulfill their commitments and follow the process, while businesses strictly implement product consumption contracts, creating favorable conditions for farmers.

As a result, the giant freshwater prawn farming model was assessed by experts as meeting requirements with a survival rate increased by 4-10%, costs reduced and productivity increased by 25-80% compared to the traditional model. When harvested, the model was successful beyond expectations with an average profit of nearly 900 million VND, 30-55% higher than the traditional model.

“Traditional farming models face difficulties due to environmental fluctuations and are prone to disease outbreaks. However, when farming according to the model guided by the Agricultural Extension Center, many limitations are overcome. In addition, the use of biological products helps control the environment and diseases, creating products that meet VietGAP standards, food safety and hygiene, serving consumers and aiming for export,” said Mr. Pham Van Nhieu.

Eligible for replication

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Head of Aquaculture Technology Transfer Department (Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center), from the actual implementation of all-male giant freshwater prawn farming models in recent times, it shows that two-stage all-male giant freshwater prawn farming has achieved many positive results.

Socially, the project helps Hai Phong people expand aquaculture, reduce environmental pollution, limit diseases and ensure stable shrimp production. Products meet food hygiene and safety standards, contributing to increasing export turnover and developing the agricultural and rural economy. The project also guides farmers to apply VietGAP standards, change their thinking and apply science and technology to production.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Head of Aquaculture Technology Transfer Department (Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center) - the person directly implementing the models. Photo: Dinh Muoi.

Environmentally, this shrimp farming process helps reduce pollution and waste, while protecting the environment, in line with the country's sustainable development strategy. Farmers benefit from the transfer of new techniques and support for breeds, materials, creating a chain link from supply to product consumption.

“The project also raises awareness among farmers and extension officers, helping them learn and improve their skills. The project has great potential for replication, with plans to continue transferring technology to many aquaculture facilities in Hai Phong and neighboring provinces,” said Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh.

According to Ms. Thanh, giant freshwater prawns have been raised by people since the 90s of the 20th century, but people mainly raise them extensively and traditionally, with both males and females. In Hai Phong, commercial farming models have only appeared in An Lao, Kien Thuy and Kien An districts with a total area of ​​about 30 hectares.

Two-phase shrimp farming has many advantages such as small nursery ponds, easy to manage, large size of shrimp before stocking, shortening farming time, reducing environmental load, pond bottom, increasing density, productivity, output, reducing diseases, reducing costs and risks.

In addition, this model also helps shorten the farming time, thereby improving economic efficiency per unit area. At the same time, it creates new directions and methods that are environmentally friendly, increasing the choices for farmers and fishermen in production activities. People can completely apply it to mass production.

However, the current all-male giant freshwater prawn farming is also facing many difficulties due to climate change, making it difficult for farmers to invest in two-stage technology due to lack of capital and infrastructure.

In addition, the Northern market, especially Hai Phong, does not have specialized feed for giant freshwater prawns, leading to high production costs. Shrimp output is not large enough to form a concentrated production area, mainly for domestic consumption, with unstable output.

The reasons include long farming time, small farming areas, unimproved water systems, and farmers lacking capital and techniques. To improve efficiency, it is necessary to master the technical process, take care of the pond and ensure a stable water environment.

Based on the results of the models, Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center will continue to transfer and replicate them to farming facilities: Phu Cuong Food Processing Company, Sang Ngan Company Limited, some farming households in Quyet Tien, Bach Dang areas,... of Tien Lang district; Tan Dan, Truong Tho communes,... of An Lao district; Van Dau, Phu Lien wards... of Kien An Kien An district; Viet Tien, Trung Lap, Cao Minh communes... of Vinh Bao district.

Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/nuoi-tom-cang-xanh-toan-duc-de-nuoi-lai-lon-d745177.html