This event attracted the attention of over 150 delegates, including leaders of central agencies, scientists, speakers, associations, cooperatives, businesses, and shrimp farmers from the provinces of Cà Mau, Bạc Liêu, Sóc Trăng, Trà Vinh, and Kiên Giang.
The forum was organized to propose strategies and solutions for sustainable shrimp farming development, emission reduction, and climate change adaptation. The main objectives of the forum included assessing the current status and development potential of the shrimp farming industry in the MDR, proposing technical and management solutions to enhance production efficiency and environmental protection, building supportive policies from the government and non-governmental organizations, and promoting cooperation among stakeholders to develop the shrimp farming industry sustainably and effectively.
Current status of the shrimp industry in the MDR
Delegates presented and discussed many important issues related to the shrimp farming industry in the MDR. One notable issue was the impact of climate change on shrimp farming, with extreme weather events such as floods and droughts affecting water quality and shrimp habitats. Experts proposed various technical and management solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change, including the application of high technology in shrimp farming, such as automated monitoring systems and advanced technical measures. Integrated shrimp farming models with other aquatic species were also encouraged to minimize pollution and make the most of natural resources.
The shrimp farming industry in the MDR has developed strongly in recent decades, becoming an important part of the local and national economy. However, this rapid development has also posed significant challenges, including environmental pollution, disease outbreaks, and the impact of climate change. Environmental pollution due to the excessive use of chemicals and artificial feed has caused water and soil pollution, adversely affecting local ecosystems. Disease outbreaks are also a serious issue, as shrimp are susceptible to diseases that can spread quickly, causing significant losses for farmers. Climate change with extreme weather events such as floods and droughts has greatly impacted the shrimp farming industry, altering shrimp habitats and creating numerous difficulties in management and production.
Mr. Châu Công Bằng, Deputy Director of the Cà Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, shared that although significant achievements have been made, the shrimp farming industry in Cà Mau and Vietnam still faces many difficulties, limitations, and challenges. He pointed out that the development planning for the shrimp industry is still slow, the infrastructure in farming areas does not meet the requirements, the supply of inputs is unstable, competition is unhealthy and difficult to control. He emphasized that the environment is increasingly degraded, polluted, and diseases in farmed shrimp are still complicated, with no effective preventive measures.
Mr. Lê Quốc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, also highlighted the outstanding development of Vietnam's shrimp industry while acknowledging the difficulties and inadequacies in sustainable shrimp farming development, emission reduction, and climate change adaptation. He called on cooperatives and shrimp farmers to comply with farming procedures, standards, and quality regulations, and to strengthen the production chain from planning, investment, control, and forming the final product, to enhance the competitiveness of the shrimp industry.
Sustainable shrimp farming development
Within the forum, many sustainable solutions were proposed and discussed in detail. One of the important solutions is the application of high technology in shrimp farming, such as automated monitoring systems and advanced technical measures, to minimize risks and increase production efficiency. Integrated shrimp farming models with other aquatic species were also encouraged to minimize pollution and make the most of natural resources. Training and raising awareness for farmers is also an important part of the sustainable development strategy. Training courses help farmers better understand sustainable farming methods and disease management, thereby reducing risks and increasing production efficiency.
Ms. Châu Tuyết Hạnh, representing the Directorate of Fisheries, stated: “Shrimp farmers in 2024 need to strengthen environmental monitoring, early warning, and disease surveillance in key shrimp farming areas to accurately forecast and issue early warnings. Additionally, shrimp farmers should be guided on appropriate, effective, and advanced technology and scientific techniques for each farming method.”
The government and non-governmental organizations have implemented many support policies for the shrimp farming industry in the MDR. Financial support programs, such as providing low-interest loans, have helped many shrimp farming households gain more capital to invest and expand production. Besides, technical support programs, such as organizing training courses and workshops, and providing technical documents to farmers, have also played a crucial role in enhancing the capacity and production efficiency of the industry. To ensure sustainable development, the government has also heavily invested in building infrastructure, such as drainage systems, transportation roads, and other necessary infrastructure for the shrimp farming industry. This not only helps minimize risks from natural disasters and climate change but also creates favorable conditions for the transportation and consumption of products.
The forum attracted special attention with many outstanding reports and presentations from aquaculture experts and speakers. Some notable topics included the current status and orientation for sustainable development of brackish water shrimp farming in Vietnam, the current status and solutions for developing brackish water shrimp farming in Cà Mau province, principles and high-tech shrimp farming, environmentally friendly, carbon emission reduction, climate change adaptation, food safety, and sustainability, the application of biological products in effective and sustainable brackish water shrimp farming, safe, emission reduction, the application of Grofarm technology in brackish water shrimp farming contributing to emission reduction, climate change response, the application of electrochemical ultrasound integrated with electronic field microbubbles in water pollution treatment in shrimp ponds, and solutions for greenhouse gas emission reduction in aquaculture.
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These reports and presentations not only provided in-depth insights into the current status and potential of the shrimp farming industry but also proposed specific and feasible solutions to address current issues. The proposed solutions and support policies have brought many positive results. Many shrimp farming households have applied new techniques and achieved higher productivity than before. Integrated farming models and the use of high technology have helped minimize environmental pollution while enhancing production efficiency. The cooperation between businesses, farmers, and organizations has been strengthened, creating a supportive network within the shrimp farming industry.
The shrimp farming industry not only plays an important role in the economy of Cà Mau province but also in the entire MDR and the nation. The brackish water shrimp farming area of Cà Mau province accounts for 45% of the shrimp farming area in the MDR and 40% of the country's shrimp farming area. With this area, Cà Mau has made a significant contribution to Vietnam's shrimp production. In 2023, Cà Mau's shrimp production reached 231,500 tons, with an estimated yield of 830.5 kg/ha/year and seafood export turnover exceeding 1 billion USD per year.
The Sustainable Shrimp Farming Development Forum in Cà Mau affirmed the importance of the shrimp farming industry to the economic and social development of the MDR. The sustainable development of the shrimp farming industry not only helps improve the income and living standards of the people but also protects the environment and effectively responds to climate change. The technical solutions and support policies proposed at the forum have opened up new directions, contributing to the sustainable development of the shrimp farming industry in the future.
Hai Dang