Earning billions from high-tech shrimp farming along Lach Truong river

When the boat was gently lifted out of the water, dozens of finger-sized shrimp jumped around. Despite the high density, the owner of the model, Do Xuan Ngu, was still proud: “From 2012 until now, my family has not failed any shrimp batch. For the past 3 years, shrimp farming has been shifted to an intensive model in a house with a roof, so the efficiency is even higher.”

Earning billions from high-tech shrimp farming along Lach Truong river Mr. Do Xuan Ngu's water treatment tank and shrimp farming system along Lach Truong river.

In the middle of the deserted fields, the early April sun is even more dazzling and sultry. However, in the covered ponds with water fans and aeration systems, the air and water temperature are always cool. The biggest fear for many pond owners is that cold or hot weather will kill shrimp, but now Mr. Ngu has overcome that disadvantage. That is also the reason why shrimp here can be maintained throughout the winter and still be raised effectively.

In village 3 Bai Trung, Hoa Loc commune (Hau Loc), Mr. Ngu's shrimp farming model has become a typical model in the region with a total area of up to 26.7 hectares, divided into 6 large farming areas. Visiting the production area with us, the owner of the model introduced many scientific advances applied, and did not hesitate to share his experience after half a lifetime of working with shrimp. Each pond is hundreds to thousands of square meters, but is covered with a mobile tarpaulin system, which can be adjusted to get light and regulate the appropriate temperature.

According to the model owner, to achieve the success he has today, his family had to go through many lessons, and many difficulties and failures. “Since 1991, my family has boldly rented, borrowed, bought land and consolidated it for aquaculture. From deep, even abandoned rice fields, we dug ponds to raise fish, tiger prawns and crabs in the traditional style. At first, there were only 1-2 ponds, then used the annual profits to gradually expand the scale. From extensive farming, then switching to improved extensive farming, it was not until 2013 that I started raising white-leg shrimp industrially. This was also the most difficult time, because all the money had to be spent on building tarpaulin-covered ponds and modern equipment. The lack of experience became a big challenge, but I still overcame it,” Mr. Ngu shared.

At the age of 60, but maintaining a daily work rhythm, Mr. Ngu still has the flexibility, strength and health that is no less than the regular workers here. In recent years, his son, a fisheries engineer from the South, has returned to his hometown to help him manage and provide technical assistance, so he is more confident in developing intensive shrimp farming.

With about 45 billion VND invested over the years to complete and modernize the farming infrastructure, the model now has 19 ponds, of which 17 are covered to raise white-leg shrimp using high technology. In addition, he also set aside 2 hectares to build settling ponds and treat water to kill pathogens before putting them into the farming pond. For stable production, the model also has an operating house, warehouse, auxiliary works and temporary resting area for workers. The internal road system of the production area is also solidly concreted, ensuring that machinery and equipment can reach the site to support human resources.

The success of intensive farming thanks to the application of scientific advances has helped the shrimp products of the model be recognized as meeting VietGAP standards and food safety indicators. With each shrimp batch from 90 to 100 days, in recent years, Mr. Ngu's shrimp farming model has produced from 250 to 300 tons of commercial shrimp. The annual profit is from 10 to 15 billion VND. "There are days when we sell 10 tons, which is normal. Each harvest, specialized trucks of traders in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh provinces... come to pick up. The import of input seeds and feed is also contracted by reputable domestic enterprises, delivered to the farming tanks" - The owner of the model, born in 1964, said.

In this shrimp farming model, considered the largest and most modern in Hau Loc district, there are currently 26 workers with regular jobs with an average income of nearly 10 million VND/person/month. Workers are provided with 3 meals and rest right in the production area to closely monitor and control the shrimp. The shrimp farming activities of this farming area have created an effect for many other farm owners in the district to also invest in industrial shrimp farming.

These days, the coastal road running near the shrimp farming area along the Lach Truong River in Hoa Loc commune has been formed, opening up more favorable opportunities for farmers to connect the consumption of farmed shrimp here with the northern provinces. Particularly for this largest aquaculture model in Hau Loc district, it is also a more favorable condition for trucks to bring food and shrimp seeds to the farming ponds.

Article and photos: Le Dong

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