High-tech agricultural 'tycoons' in Quang Ninh province

Highlights in the production of Vietnamese - Australian shrimp seed

The area advantages of coastal natural ponds and lakes have facilitated strong development of aquaculture in Quang Ninh province. Notably, shrimp farming stands as one of the most profitable industries bringing high income to both farmers and businesses. Additionally, Quang Ninh province has maintained a proactive approach to securing high-quality shrimp seeds on-site through appropriate strategies, in combination with the concerted efforts from Viet Uc - Quang Ninh Company Limited.

Viet Uc - Quang Ninh Company Limited is located in Tan Lap commune, Dam Ha district, in the central region of the Eastern part of Quang Ninh province. The company is the owner of a High-tech Shrimp Farming Complex under Viet Uc Seafood Corporation.

Following the introduction of its first batch of shrimp seeds in March 2019, the company has continuously improved on the quality of its products. By utilizing Quang Ninh province's local incentives and favorable conditions, the Viet Uc Seafood Corporation has demonstrated the effectiveness of its strategic collaboration with the province. Additionally, the Corporation has effciently integrate advanced equipment systems and technological processes into its operation.

Examples of these advancements include shrimp farming using probiotics and algae blending; a circulating water settling and treatment system; UV-filtering systems; selective breeding technology of shrimp broodstock. Notably, the Real-time PCR testing facility established by Viet Uc - Quang Ninh Company has the capacity to test shrimp for seven types of diseases according to international standards.

Investment in comprehensive and modern solutions throughout the entire production chain has significantly elevated the shrimp seed quality of Viet Uc - Quang Ninh Company in the market, both in terms of capacity and quality. This growth can be attributed to the company's meticulous genetic selection of shrimp broodstock, with characteristics suitable for the local soil, climate, and water source conditions in Quang Ninh province.

On the other hand, the shrimp seed is transported from the breeding farm to the production site with minimal transit time, thereby maintaining its optimal health conditions. Viet Uc - Quang Ninh Company successfully researched and developed a shrimp seed with cold-resistant genes in 2022, allowing for extended shrimp crops throughout the year without production hiatus. This optimization aims to reduce investment costs for farmers and businesses.

Beyond technological investment, Viet Uc - Quang Ninh Company Limited has actively participated in programs on sharing new techniques in shrimp health management, thereby encouraging investment, production, processing, and consumption of shrimp products within the province.

In 2022, the company collaborated with Quang Ninh province's Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and local governments to provide technical consultations on the application of herbal remedies in the circulating water treatment system for local businesses, cooperatives, and aquaculture facilities. This initiative contributes to supporting the province in implementing sustainable aquaculture planning, establishing a value chain from production and processing to product consumption, ultimately moving towards large-scale commodity production.

Successful "Vietnamization" of Pacific oysters

Pacific oysters, which hails from the Pacific Ocean, are considered a pride of the sea in Van Don district, Quang Ninh province. Accordingly, they have been regarded as a nutritionally valuable aquatic delicacy. This oyster variety is farmed in a clean and natural marine environment, free from tourism and industrial activities, and far from residential areas.

Originating from Japan and selectively bred in Taiwan, this oyster variety was introduced to Vietnamese farmers in 2006 by entrepreneur Doan Quoc Viet, founder of the BIM Group. Mr. Viet's belief at that time was that the soil, climate, temperature, and salinity conditions of the Northeastern Vietnam sea were comparable to the optimal conditions for the highest-quality Pacific oysters. These indicators has strongly reinforced the "Vietnamization" process for the Pacific oyster.

With the founder's initial idea as a basis, Ha Long Investment And Development Limited Company under BIM Group initiated the production of Pacific Oysters in the marine areas of Van Don district. BIM Group's primary oyster farming area spans 500 hectares in Ban Sen commune, Van Don district, Quang Ninh.

After four years of research from the laboratory to the farm, the oysters were successfully domesticated. The resulting oysters exhibited robust health, rapid growth, large size, plumpness, sweetness, and high nutritional content. During the oyester's first harvest in 2007, BIM Group produced nearly 500 tons of oysters, with an average of 700 tons per year over the following five years.

Since 2012, The company's oyster product line, which includes whole-shell oysters, shucked oysters, and cheese-baked oysters, have been increasingly prevalent in the market, participating in local seafood marketssupermarkets, restaurants as well as commercial promotion programs. Hausubi, the oyster brand of BIM Group, has gained the trust of consumers, met the demands of export partners and established a brand presence across retail networks and supermarket chains nationwide.

The in-depth processing and development of value-added products made from oysters at Ha Long Investment And Development Limited Company have contributed to opening up new avenues by capitalizing the local economic development advantages. The local Pacific Oyster farming area in Quang Ninh province reached over 3,000 hectares in 2019, with an annual yield of nearly 20,000 tons. Numerous households, especially those in the Van Don island district, have markedly improved their livelihoods through oyster farming.

Prior to the successful domestication of the Pacific Oyster variety in Van Don district, BIM Group had established and operated several large aquaculture and seafood production areas in Quang Ninh province. Namely, the Minh Thanh shrimp farming area, which was initiated in 2001, covers 251 hectares with an annual yield of 2,000 tons.

BIM Food Joint Stock Company (a subsidiary of BIM Group) in Dong Linh area, Minh Thanh ward, Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province, is also a pioneering business in researching and applying high-tech shrimp farming models in Quang Yen town.

After a successful pilot production model for 10 hectares of whiteleg shrimp in 2012, the company gradually expanded the production area to 70 hectares with an investment capital of over 1 billion Vietnamese dong per hectare, Furthermore, the company has emphasized the application of advanced technologies, including: Water treatment to enhance biological safety and prevent diseases; a special aeration system to reduce energy costs and optimize the supply of oxygen; an automatic feeding system with sound sensors to provide feed in response to the shrimp's needs, thereby reducing feed consumption indices.

According to the company, high-tech shrimp farming enables stakeholders to upgrade the farming process, shorten the farming time, and achieve an economic efficiency three to four times higher compared that of traditional shrimp farming. During the farming period, the company mainly uses microbial products to manage the environment, resulting in a shrimp survival rate of over 90%. After successfully piloting production on 10 hectares of whiteleg shrimp, BIM Food Joint Stock Company has expanded the model's scale to support mass production since 2014.

Over the past 28 years, BIM Group has consistently accompanied the development journey of Vietnam's agricultural food industry. The company emphasizes a systematic business approach, investments in advanced technologies, and chain management processes with high-quality raw materials to supply products that meet market standards in terms of quality and safety.