Green development of aquaculture towards sustainable export

Green farming with less reliance on exploitation

According to the recently approved Vietnam's Strategy for Aquaculture Development until 2030 with a vision towards 2045, the agricultural sector aims to develop aquaculture into a modern, sustainable and profitable commercial and economic sector with strong management and advanced science, technology by 2045. Consequently, aquaculture will play an important role in the structure of agricultural and marine economic sectors. To achieve these goals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is orienting aquaculture towards green, sustainable and environmentally friendly development, ensuring food security..

Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the demand for aquaculture products consumption in 2030 is expected to increase by 18% compared to 2018. Accordingly, farmed aquaculture products will account for 59% of the consumption and nearly 36% of aquaculture production will be exported by 2030.

“The increased demand will bring excellent opportunities for Vietnam's aquaculture. However, there are also the risks of unsustainable production, severe environmental pollution and a loss of biodiversity. Vietnam is following the current development trend for aquaculture, which greatly emphasizes on green products. Therefore, activities to promote the participation of businesses are aimed at sustainable and environmentally friendly production," said VASEP Secretary General.

Within the framework of the Project on environmental protection in aquaculture from 2021 to 2030 approved by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh on July 29, 2022, the circular economy, green economy models in the aquaculture value chain are being researched, applied and gradually replicated. Subsequently, the Project's goals by 2030 include: investigate, evaluate, manage and control sources of pollution and waste from aquaculture activities; prevent the use of toxic chemicals in aquaculture that pollute water sources and reduce biodiversity and so on.

Most notably, farmed aquaculture is expected to reach 7 million out of 10 million tons of Vietnam's total aquaculture production by 2030. “We are proud that 70% of the raw materials put into processing for export are from farmed products, with the most significant contributors being shrimp and pangasius. This proved that the green economic trend is a necessary movement", added Mr. Hoe.

The coastal provinces of Vietnam are currently restructuring aquaculture towards green development, with the focus on reducing the exploitation in favor of conservation, and increasing free-range farming to enhance aquaculture resources, towards the goal of sustainable development assigned by the Government.

Kien Giang province has recently approved the investment policy of a sustainable aquaculture development project in Hon Dat district. The project has a total area of approximately 5,500 hectares; the project will be implemented in 3 years from 2023 to 2026, with a total investment capital of roughly 624 billion VND, consisting of the loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) under the World Bank and the corresponding provincial budget.

Ca Mau province is also promoting high-value aquaculture with the forest - shrimp combination model. “This is an ecological natural farming model that eliminates the use of drugs and chemicals, which reduces costs and contributes to forest protection and development. Ca Mau currently has over 27,500 hectares of shrimp farming under the mangrove canopy, over 19,000 hectares of which are certified according to international standards such as Naturland, EU Organic, Canada Organic, Selva Shrimp, ASC, BAP, etc.. Products from this model are favored and highly regarded in many markets", said Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe.

Green development planning

The core objective of the green transition in aquaculture is to expand the sustainable aquaculture model; effectively manage all aquaculture activities; upgrad value chains in the aquafeed system. 

VASEP Secretary General Truong Dinh Hoe stated that Vietnam's aquaculture aims to expand sustainably and fill the gap in global aquafeed demand in the next 10 years, focusing on regions with food shortages, in addition to creating new sources of income and jobs for farmers.

This goal requires updating aquaculture management by promoting improved planning, regulatory and institutional frameworks as well as policies. 

According to Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, Vietnam's seafood exports are still limited in terms of diversity, most of which are raw and natural products such as vannamei shrimp, black tiger shrimp, frozen pangasius, and low value-added products, so the exports face great pressure in different markets. On the other hand, Vietnam's technology and processing techniques are mostly equal among businesses operating in the industry, so competitive pressure is substantial.

Consequently, in face of requirements from regulations, laws, standards, etc. on the environment; as well as competitive, policy, and market pressure, business managers must remain flexible in terms of environmental issues in the strategic transition towards green development; thereby giving businesses competitive advantages, establishing credibility on the international market, increasing economic efficiency, and developing sustainably.

In order to support aquaculture businesses in the sustainable green development, Mr. Hoe suggested agencies and sectors to organize training programs and courses, with the focus on ecological issues as well as case studies of success in exporting when pursuing a green export strategy.

Furthermore, they need to update and disseminate information on regulations, standards and competitive practices in association with green and ecological factors in aquaculture export for specific markets, whereas small-scale seafood businesses will be the primary focus.

There should also be incentives such as tax reduction related to the export of green products to encourage businesses to apply green export strategies; green awards/certificates (such as green export businesss of the year) for processing businesses with commendable achievements regarding ecological export should also be implemented to encourage the green export strategy for processing businesses.

Mr. Qu Dongyu, Director General of FAO, proposed three solutions for the sustainable development of aquaculture. These solutions include: reinvesting in marine and freshwater sustainability programs, investing in ocean growth, and reinforcing appropriate safeguard measures in addition to effective management. The continued transformation of aquaculture models should be implemented in most regions but it is especially indisposable in areas facing food insecurity. The goal is to increase global production by 35% to 40% by 2030, depending on national and regional contexts.