Developing specialty aquatic products: A boost to agricultural restructuring

Potential, advantages

The whole province has 11,288 hectares of water surface with potential for aquaculture. Of which, the annual output of specialty fish reaches over 1,800 tons. This is a favorable condition for the province to develop specialty aquaculture, bringing income to the people.
Na Hang is a bright spot in the province's aquaculture development with 4,583 hectares of water surface for raising aquatic products; the total output of aquatic products is estimated at over 500 tons/year. Specialty fish farming is currently considered one of the key agricultural development sectors in the district and has developed strongly in recent years. Up to now, the whole district has 1,288 fish cages of 96 households, 3 enterprises, 2 cooperatives engaged in fishing. In Son Phu, Yen Hoa, Da Vi communes, Na Hang town, people have taken advantage of the water source of Na Hang ecological lake to develop specialty fish cage farming such as catfish, silver carp, sturgeon, catfish, green dam fish, and anh vu, bringing high economic efficiency.

Na Hang town people develop specialty cage fish farming.

Mr. Trinh Ngoc Ha, a member of Na Hang Aquatic Cooperative, Group 7, Na Hang town, shared: His family has been raising fish in cages since 2018, currently maintaining 120 fish cages in Ben Thuy area, Na Hang town, mainly catfish and sturgeon. Thanks to strict adherence to technical measures, ensuring safety and growth rate, the fish grow and develop well. According to calculations, if well cared for, following the technical process, his family will supply the market with 60 - 70 tons of fish/year. Currently, catfish is selling for 90,000 - 100,000 VND/kg, sturgeon ranges from 250,000 - 300,000 VND/kg; after deducting the allowances, the profit is over 500,000 million VND/year.

As one of the business owners investing in cage fish farming on Na Hang ecological lake, Mr. Pham Anh Toan, Director of Duc Nguyen Seafood Company Limited, said that in order to develop specialty fish farming, in addition to good care and disease prevention processes, large area and clean water source are prerequisites for aquaculture, especially for specialty aquatic products considered the most difficult such as Bong fish, Lang dot fish, Chien fish... After nearly 10 years of aquaculture on the lake with a scale of 30 cages, including 10 cages of specialty fish, he has never encountered any disadvantage, the fish grow and develop well. Each Chien fish, Lang dot fish after 3 years reaches a weight of 2.5 - 3 kg, with a price of 480 - 600 thousand/kg, bringing in a significant source of income for the company.

With the water surface area of ​​Na Hang - Lam Binh ecological lake of more than 8,000 hectares, it is an ideal condition for Mr. Nguyen Quang Minh, Na Tong village, Thuong Lam commune (Lam Binh) to raise 150 fish cages in Ben Thuy area, Thuong Lam commune with specialty fish such as: Chien, lang, kumquat. Mr. Minh said that the water source here flows from streams in the primeval forest so it is very clean, helping the fish to be less susceptible to disease, the meat is firm and delicious. Every year, his family supplies the market with 60 - 70 tons of fish/year, after deducting expenses, earning over 400 million VND/year.

Need to increase connectivity

However, currently, raising specialty fish is still facing difficulties due to unstable output. Few enterprises, cooperatives, and cage fish farming households are jointly purchasing products, while most households raising specialty fish only sell to traders in the lowlands and restaurants in the province.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Tuyen Quang province, in order for specialty fish farming to be highly effective, in addition to focusing on effectively implementing the Project on aquaculture development in Tuyen Quang province for the period of 2019 - 2025, the province will promote training for people on the process of raising specialty fish in cages on rivers in the direction of VietGAP; diversifying farmed fish, focusing on high-value freshwater aquatic products, specialties such as fried fish, bính, lang mom... Doing a good job of enhancing trade promotion, building brands associated with traceability to consume and promote products to people; encouraging chain production linkages between enterprises and farmers or forming cooperatives and cooperative groups to create conditions for investment resources to develop specialty fish cage farming in a concentrated direction, increasing product value, and linking with the consumption market.

The province strives to develop aquaculture, especially specialty cage fish farming, into an important commodity economic sector in the province's agricultural structure by the end of 2025; with a total aquatic product output of more than 9,714 tons; of which, specialty fish reaches more than 1,144 tons.

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/phat-trien-thuy-san-dac-san-cu-huych-tai-co-cau-nong-nghiep-209291.html