Shrimp farmers in Hai Phong port city face troubles

Property sold out because of shrimp

In recent years, vannamei (white-leg shrimp) farming in many brackish water aquaculture ponds has suffered damage even when the shrimp’s body becomes as big as a chopstick, especially those in concentrated areas of Do Son, Duong Kinh, and Tien Lang districts.

In Tan Thanh ward, Duong Kinh District, one of the large shrimp farming areas of ​​Hai Phong City with a total of ​​nearly 200ha, farmers still have not prepared yet for the new crop.

Pointing to his ​​3 large ponds, Mr. Nguyen Van Manh, a shrimp farmer in Tan Lap residential area, Tan Thanh ward, slowly said that damage in 2021 along with cold weather have forced his household to breed only a few shrimp at the end of this year.

"I raised shrimp in 3 open-air large ponds and in another with a canvas house last year but suffered a lot of damages... it's even much more difficult now than before," Manh confided.

Not far from Manh's farm, at Mr. Cao Van Hoa's household, recognized as a large investor with up to billions of dong, the atmosphere is also very gloomy.

It is reported that Hoa had sold all properties to invest in shrimp farming but did not get adequate profit so Hoa decided to take a break in 2022 due to many difficulties and weak health at the old age.

"My family has poured a total of nearly VND3 billion into shrimp farming. We have also invested in high technologies, but in recent years, what we have gained is much less than lost, our properties now have all gone," said Hoa.

It is known that shrimp farming is difficult not only in Duong Kinh but also in other districts of Hai Phong City such as Do Son, Cat Hai, and Tien Lang.

For example, the Vinh Quang Commune of Tien Lang District currently has about 450ha of extensive shrimp farming and 50ha of industrial shrimp farming but continuous attacks of pests and diseases have caused vast loss for farmers in the area.

Mr. Pham Minh Hai - Chairman of Vinh Quang Commune People's Committee said that in recent years, shrimp farming has not been as effective as before. Many households are frustrated so much that they only grow a few thousand breeds every year then leave it to nature and go to get another job.

“In extensive farming, people don't apply many techniques but release the breeds and wait for harvest, so the efficiency and productivity are not high. If they cannot earn from other fishery resources, then will surely not be able to cover all expenditures," Mr. Hai informed.

Breeds, techniques, and water sources are not guaranteed

Shrimp farming faces difficulties in not only extensive but also industrial shrimp farming households due to many different reasons.

In Tan Thanh ward, Duong Kinh District, there used to be 10 households applying high-tech in shrimp farming in the past, but due to constant losses, up to now, 7 households have changed to improved extensive farming. However, the win-lose ratio is still 50/50.

Mr. Nguyen Van Quang, a shrimp farming household in Tan Lap ward, said that he bought shrimp breeds from Nam Hai Company in Ninh Thuan Province but almost lost everything last year due to bad breeds. He has been compensated twice and the company is planning for the 3rd time but he still decides to change to buy breeds from a different company.

In Do Son and Tien Lang, industrial shrimp farming households have been suffering from a gradual decrease in productivity for the last 2 years after many successful crops. The number of households suffering an entire loss has increased significantly.

It is reported that some households are greedy for cheap and unguaranteed breeds so they have to suffer consequences.

Mr. Vu Kim Quang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tan Thanh ward, Duong Kinh District, said that in recent years, shrimp farmers in the area have lost revenue. In 2021, up to 90% of shrimp farming households were not productive while others were damaged or even suffered entire losses.

The reason is partly that the water source has been polluted, the breeds are not good in quality, or not quarantined.

Therefore, basically, despite having made large investments, many households are no longer interested in shrimp farming. Some now only release a small number of shrimp to keep the lagoon waiting for a State project to recover or for compensation.

“Last year, my family raised shrimp but also lost like others. It is partly because the water source is no longer as good as before. Many growers are greedy for cheap and unsecured breeds, so they have to suffer enough consequences," said Quang.

Regarding this issue, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Head of Aquaculture Technology Transfer Office, Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center, spoke to Vietnamagriculture newspaper that the Port City has a total of 400ha ​​of white-leg shrimp farming and about 3,000ha of improved extensive shrimp farming.

In recent years, due to the influence of water resources, shrimp farming has faced some difficulties, mainly among households with extensive farming.

According to Ms. Thanh, to solve this issue, it is necessary to have a specific planning project on farming areas and significant irrigation and drainage systems. At the same time, people also need to invest in science and technology as well as infrastructure in local farming areas to improve productivity.

Test results showed many water samples in the farming areas had a high concentration of harmful bacteria exceeding the allowable threshold.

The cause of this situation is that during the raising process, farmers do not pay attention to protecting the farming environment and using waste residues to make feeds for aquatic species during the raising process.

In brackish water farming areas, shrimp were identified infected with the following diseases: necrosis of hematopoietic organs and epithelial cells, white spot, and acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease caused by viruses and bacteria.

These diseases are dangerous, capable of spreading fast, and causing great damage to aquaculture farms because when there is a change in the water environment, the rate of infected shrimp dying is up to 80 - 100%. A stable farming environment can ensure a low mortality rate of infected shrimp, but at harvest time, 90% of shrimps are stunted with low value.