Shrimp farmers in Nghe An fear losing everything during the Tet season.

Many ponds and lagoons are damaged, and shrimp stocking schedules are delayed.

Typhoon No. 5 at the end of August left severe consequences for agricultural production in Nghe An province, particularly shrimp farming, which is considered a key economic sector in many coastal areas. Traditional farming areas such as Quynh Anh, An Chau, and Truong Vinh have yet to recover, even though they have entered the peak season for stocking shrimp for the Tet holiday.

According to reporters' observations, as of September 20th, numerous shrimp farms along the coast of Nghe An province remain abandoned. Embankments eroded by waves, greenhouse roofs blown off, and damaged water aeration systems lie scattered about. Many shrimp farmers have been forced to temporarily suspend production due to concerns about further storms and increasing losses.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang, from An Chau commune (formerly Dien Trung commune), has 2 hectares of shrimp farms, but nearly a month after the storm, he still hasn't been able to restore them. Mr. Thang said: “The pond banks are broken, the greenhouse roofs are blown off, and a lot of equipment is damaged. The cost of restoration is enormous, while the rainy and stormy season isn't over yet. If I invest in restoration now and another storm hits, all my hard work and money will be wasted. Therefore, I have to wait longer, I don't dare take the risk, but that will definitely delay the shrimp stocking schedule for the Tet season.”

Sharing the same plight, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, a shrimp farmer in Thuan Hoa hamlet, Truong Vinh ward (Hung Hoa commune - the only area with shrimp farming in the former Vinh City), is now also in dire straits. After the storm, floodwaters inundated the ponds, the embankments collapsed, the tarpaulins were torn, and many machines were severely damaged. To this day, the ponds remain empty, as 8 out of 8 ponds are still unable to be restocked with shrimp.

Pointing to the damaged section of the embankment along the Lam River, Mr. Hai sighed: “The recent storm was too strong; I couldn’t react in time. All the shrimp were submerged and swept away. Even mobilizing the team to restore it will take at least another month. But that would be too late for the season. This is already the most difficult season of the year, and now it’s delayed. I’m really worried about whether we’ll be able to harvest and sell for Tet (Lunar New Year).” According to a report from the People’s Committee of Truong Vinh Ward, the locality suffered damage to 10 hectares of shrimp farms after Typhoon No. 5, mainly in the area of ​​Hung Hoa commune (formerly).

Quynh Anh commune is considered the "shrimp capital" of Nghe An province, with nearly 500 hectares after being formed from the communes of Minh Luong, Quynh Bang, Quynh Doi, Quynh Thanh, and Quynh Yen - former localities with large shrimp farming areas in Quynh Luu district. However, after typhoon No. 5, the entire commune recorded more than 200 hectares of ponds and lagoons damaged, resulting in shrimp losses.

Mr. Bui Xuan Truc, Head of the Economic Department of Quynh Anh commune, said: “The water source for shrimp farming after the storm is polluted, mixed with mud and soil, and shrimp are dying sporadically. The commune has issued a document directing people to urgently remedy the situation in order to be ready for the Tet season, but in reality, it is very difficult. Natural disasters and diseases that have lasted for many years have eroded the resources of the people. In the next season, the farming area will certainly decrease compared to previous years.”

Urgent measures are needed to rectify the situation and ensure a safe farming season.

According to data from the Nghe An Provincial Civil Defense Command, Typhoon No. 5 at the end of August caused severe damage in many areas, including aquaculture. The area of ​​shrimp farms damaged, with dead shrimp and flooded ponds, reached 377.6 hectares. In addition, 27 high-tech shrimp farming households had their roofs blown off, and many infrastructure systems and machinery were severely damaged. These figures clearly reflect the extent of losses suffered by Nghe An's shrimp farming industry.

To date, many shrimp farms in Nghe An province have not yet been able to stock shrimp for the Tet holiday. If the planting season is delayed, the risk of crop failure and high shrimp prices at the end of the year is unavoidable. In light of this situation, the Nghe An Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspection Department has issued a document to the People's Committees of communes and wards, requesting the immediate implementation of measures to minimize damage, ensure the safety of people and property, and quickly restore production after the natural disaster.

Mr. Le Van Huong, Deputy Head of the Provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspection Department, stated that after storms and heavy rains, aquaculture farmers must absolutely not be complacent. The first step is to thoroughly inspect the embankments, drainage systems, and culverts to ensure that the ponds are not leaking or collapsing, and to rebuild the farming infrastructure as soon as possible. Simultaneously, lime should be spread around the ponds for disinfection, and appropriate chemicals should be used to treat the environment, adjust the pH level, and reduce water turbidity. This is a crucial measure to protect water sources, prevent pollution, and minimize the potential for disease outbreaks after storms.

According to Mr. Huong, the period after a natural disaster is when shrimp are most vulnerable; therefore, proper care and management are crucial to farming efficiency. Farmers need to reduce feed by 30-50%, and should not use poor-quality, moldy, or spoiled feed, as this will increase the risk of disease. In addition, disease monitoring and water quality checks must be maintained regularly; farmers must strictly adhere to regulations, not use drugs outside the approved list, and cooperate closely with specialized agencies for guidance and support in handling any unusual situations promptly.

In practice, shrimp farming in Nghe An province has been severely impacted by natural disasters, diseases, and market fluctuations for many years. The delay in stocking shrimp for the Tet (Lunar New Year) season this year not only puts farmers at risk of losses but also affects the supply-demand balance, driving up prices towards the end of the year. In this context, besides the proactive efforts of farmers, timely support from the government and relevant departments is crucial, especially in terms of capital and technical solutions.

Faced with the increasingly unpredictable impacts of climate change, shrimp farming in Nghe An must gradually shift towards more sustainable development, based on disaster-resistant farming infrastructure, strict biosecurity procedures, and proactive preparation for risk situations.