The first specialized rice-shrimp farming area in Vietnam to receive BAP certification

Second international certification for rice-shrimp farming area

Recently, the People's Committee of Thoi Binh district (Ca Mau) coordinated with Minh Phu Social Enterprise and GIZ Organization to organize a "Conference to summarize and share experiences in implementing BAP certification of the rice-shrimp model in Bien Bach Dong commune." Here, the BUREAU VERITAS organization in Vietnam awarded Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification of the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) to the specialized rice-shrimp farming area of Ca Mau province.

This is the second international certification (after ASC recognized in October 2022) and the first BAP certification in Vietnam awarded to the specialized shrimp-rice farming area in Ca Mau province.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thoi Binh district, Ca Mau province, shared: Thoi Binh has great potential to develop the rice-shrimp model, notably the rice-giant freshwater prawn and rice-giant tiger prawn intercropping models that are assessed to adapt to climate change and contribute to improving income for farmers.

"In recent times, Thoi Binh district has also paid attention and focused on directing the implementation of many models of clean rice, organic rice, and shrimp farming following VietGAP direction in the commune to increase the product value and enhance people's income. At the same time, invite and facilitate companies and businesses to participate in the rice-shrimp value chain in the area. As a result, Minh Phu Social Enterprise coordinated with the locality, Bong Vang, Hoa Phat, Dan Phat, etc. cooperatives and households to build and implement a rice-shrimp farming model according to BAP certification. 

With many efforts from relevant parties, on July 31, 2024, the BAP Certification evaluation unit (BUREAU VERITAS) completed the confirmation of BAP certification for rice-shrimp farming households in Bien Bach Dong commune, including 231 households with 296 ponds on an area of approximately 700 hectares. The biggest benefit of being certified with BAP is to solve the problem of unsustainable shrimp farming for small-scale shrimp farming households; minimize negative impacts on the environment; and ensure social benefits, contributing to changing production habits and thinking of farmers and businesses about sustainable shrimp farming. Thereby, aiming for the highest goal of sustainable development of four pillars: environment, society, animal welfare, food safety and hygiene, and especially traceability.

The model will be replicated

According to the leader of the People's Committee of Bien Bach Dong Commune, in fact, after more than 2 years of implementing the project for the specialized rice-shrimp farming area in Bien Bach Dong commune, the model's adaptation to climate change and contribution to improving income for farmers are clearly effective. In the coming time, the commune will continue to expand the specialized rice-shrimp farming area by about 2,000 hectares.

After more than 2 years of participating in the project, Mr. Vo Van Duoc (6 La Cua hamlet, Bien Bach Dong commune) shared that in the past, traditional farming methods were not highly effective and suffered many impacts from climate change on the environment, water resources, and prices. However, since the family implemented a new farming project according to BAP international standards, the problems encountered have been minimized, and at the same time, income has increased to over 80 million VND/ha/year.

According to the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thoi Binh District, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao, with this model, businesses will link in consuming and purchasing all BAP-certified giant tiger prawn from Bong Vang, Hoa Phat, and Dan Phat Cooperatives in particular and giant tiger prawn-rice farmers in Bien Bach Dong commune in general. Thereby, Minh Phu Social Enterprise can ensure a sustainable supply of clean raw shrimp with clear traceability according to BAP standards, while shrimp farming households can feel secure about product output.

"This will be a favorable condition to promote the shrimp image of Ca Mau province in general and Thoi Binh district in particular to the world market, especially in demanding markets with strict standards such as the US and Europe," said Mr. Bao.

The representative of GIZ in Vietnam said that there are currently many standards that have being applied to aquaculture in Vietnam, such as SQF, GlobalGAP, ASC, BAP, Naturland, AquaGAP, VietGAP, etc. However, the very important ones commonly applied to exported shrimp today are still the trio of ASC, GlobalGAP, and BAP.

The common point of these three certifications is to focus on ensuring quality, food hygiene and safety, disease safety, environmental safety, social safety, and product traceability. Therefore, when achieving BAP certification, Ca Mau shrimp in particular and Vietnamese shrimp in general will have wide routes for export to the most demanding countries in the world. GAA has now more than 1,100 members in 70 countries and has become the most prominent organization representing the global fisheries industry.

According to Mr. Lam Thai Xuyen, Director of Minh Phu Social Enterprise, BAP certification is the basis for the business to coordinate with the People's Committee of Bien Bach Dong Commune and households to continue expanding the model with the goal of 100% of the area specializing in rice-shrimp farming, or about 4,000 hectares.