Economic development direction from cage fish farming on hydroelectric reservoirs in Tuong Duong district

Escape poverty by raising fish on the lake bed

The family of Mrs. Dau Thi Vinh, originally from Cua Rao, Xa Luong commune, was formerly a poor household. However, with the spirit of rising up, along with realizing the advantage of the lake with a large water surface area and proactive food sources, her family and a number of households gathered together in the Ban Ve Hydropower reservoir to build fish cages, which have been going on for 6-7 years now.

Fish farmers on Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir. Photo: D.C.

According to Ms. Vinh, when the district had a policy to encourage the model of raising fish in cages on hydroelectric reservoirs, she was one of the pioneers. To have the initial funding, she had to borrow money. However, in the beginning, the farming was mainly spontaneous, without experience or techniques, so the efficiency was not high, not to mention the fish got sick and did not know how to treat them in time, so the damage was not small. However, with determination, along with the timely participation of agencies, departments and branches in the area in supporting funding and techniques, the cage farming gradually stabilized. The farming was more scientific, the fish grew well and were less susceptible to disease.

It is known that currently with 8 fish cages, mainly raising grass carp and silver carp, each year Mrs. Vinh's family earns over 100 million VND, not to mention right on the raft she also sells groceries, watches over vehicles... Mrs. Vinh excitedly said: Thanks to the income from raising fish in the lake, now the family has built a sturdy wooden house right on the cage, bought many expensive items that before we could not even "dream" of, such as a television, refrigerator... Most importantly, we have the conditions for our children to study properly".

Mrs. Dau Thi Vinh feeds fish. Photo: D.C.

Similar to Mrs. Vinh's family, the households of Mr. Vi Van Quy, Mr. Lo Van Chuong, Mr. Luong Van Thang... currently have a stable income from raising fish in cages. According to Mr. Lo Van Chuong, raising fish does not require much effort, and fish food is mainly vegetables and grass, so it is easy to find. Every year, from raising cows and raising fish in cages, his family has a stable income of 40 - 50 million VND.

According to Mr. Vi Van Quy, compared to afforestation and farming, fish farming brings higher income and is more leisurely. Regarding fish farming experience, according to Mr. Quy, each type of fish will have different ways of care and food dosage. Tilapia and grass carp are mainly fed grass and forest leaves. Catfish and climbing fish often eat ditch fish caught right in the lake. In the summer, there are many ditch fish, so take advantage of catching, drying and storing food for fish farming in the winter - the time when food sources are reduced.

Linking fish cage farming with hydroelectric reservoir tourism

It is known that by integrating many programs and projects such as program 30a, New Rural Program,... the aquaculture area in the reservoir area, especially since the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir has been continuously expanded. Up to now, in Tuong Duong district, there are 21,450 m³Total volume of fish cage farming in the hydroelectric reservoir, with over 429 fish cages, of which Ban Ve Hydroelectric Reservoir area alone has over 300 cages. In the first 9 months of the year, the output reached 490 tons, with an average income of 25-30 million VND/year per cage.

It is worth mentioning that, along with actively supporting the people in the lake area and households raising fish in cages, every year Ban Ve Hydropower Company releases over 1 ton of fish fry into Ban Ve Lake, including: grass carp, common carp, tilapia, catfish... This is the company's annual activity to restore and regenerate aquatic resources that are increasingly being depleted, contributing to balancing the ecosystem and improving the livelihoods of people in the area.

In the past 3 years, farmers have gradually approached new technology cages (improved cages) and high-tech cages. Photo: D.C.

If in previous years, the local cage system was mainly traditional cages, taking advantage of available materials such as bamboo and wood to design cages, in the past 3 years, farmers have gradually approached new technology cages (improved cages) and high-tech cages. For improved cages, the cage frame is made of iron, pioneering plastic and mesh, so the cage's lifespan has increased. With high-tech cages, the cage frame and mesh are made of HDPE plastic, a sustainable material that countries around the world have applied. This material has been analyzed and certified by the Institute of Tropical Technology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) to have a durability of more than 50 years and is environmentally friendly.

Officials of Ban Ve Hydropower Company release fish fry into the lake. Photo courtesy

In addition to traditional fish breeds such as grass carp, monosex tilapia, common carp, catfish...; new fish breeds with economic value and currently popular in the market such as catfish, climbing perch, black carp... are being commonly raised in cages, contributing to increasing people's income.

Raising fish does not require much effort, fish food is mainly vegetables, grass... Photo: D.C

Based on the achieved results, according to the Aquaculture Development Project in Tuong Duong district, period 2021-2025 in accordance with the Aquaculture Development Plan of Nghe An province to 2020, vision to 2030; Resolution of the 27th District Party Congress, term 2020-2025, the district sets a target that by 2025, cage farming alone on hydroelectric reservoirs will be about 578 cages (80% high-tech cages, 20% traditional cages), with an output of 168 tons.

Focus on development in 9 communes and towns such as Tam Quang, Tam Dinh, Tam Thai, Xa Luong, Luong Minh, Yen Na, Yen Thang, Huu Khuong and Thach Giam town. In addition to traditional fish, the farming objects will focus on fish with high economic value, good consumption market, suitable for climate conditions, water sources... such as catfish, climbing fish, eel, black carp, catfish...

Mr. Lo Kham Kha - Head of Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Tuong Duong district

Also according to Mr. Lo Kham Kha, based on the general objective of the project, the district will invest in infrastructure and technology to provide enough breeds for the needs of farmers in the district, receive and apply scientific and technical advances to create disease-free breeds, and proactively produce traditional fish breeds to serve aquaculture. Along with that, constantly innovate advanced exploitation and farming technology, increase productivity and output, contributing about 8-10% to the output structure of the aquaculture industry. Developing aquaculture in a harmonious combination of other benefits, associated with economic sectors such as eco-tourism, integrated livestock farming, etc., contributes to protecting aquatic resources.

In particular, create conditions, mechanisms and policies to attract businesses and individuals to participate in the aquaculture value chain through the following stages: Farming - processing, fresh preservation - product consumption market. Moving towards designing a brand identity such as catfish, eel (Tuong Duong). In the immediate future, build a brand and focus on promoting products. In the promotion program, build trust, create consumer interest for people in the district and neighboring localities. Encourage businesses and households to invest in the value chain of the district's specialty products, linking cage fish farming with hydroelectric reservoir tourism.