Thanh Chuong: Successfully raising giant freshwater prawns in rice fields

(Baonghean.vn) - Thanh Chuong Agricultural Extension Station has built a model of raising giant freshwater prawns in rice fields in Thanh Chuong and has been successful.

The model was implemented in Mr. Tran Van Hai's field in Trung Duong hamlet, Thanh Hung commune, Thanh Chuong district. With 1.5 hectares of rice fields; after 4 months of farming, Mr. Hai had harvested shrimp, large type 6 shrimp/kg, medium type 10 shrimp/kg. With an average selling price of 220,000 VND/kg, he earned 235 million VND, minus expenses, he still had a profit of 100 million VND, not including the income from 2 rice crops.

"I find that raising giant freshwater prawns in rice fields is more effective than raising fish in the third crop. In the near future, I will continue to expand the area and guide those who want to develop giant freshwater prawn farming" - Mr. Hai happily shared.

People in Thanh Hung commune (Thanh Chuong) harvest giant freshwater prawns. Photo: Huu Thinh

In recent years, in Thanh Chuong district, aquaculture has developed significantly; with many different forms of farming, but the main farming object is traditional fish but the efficiency is not high. Based on the above reality, the District Agricultural Extension Station has advised and built a model of green-legged shrimp farming in rice fields in Thanh Hung commune.

After 4 months of implementation, the model has brought high income value, contributing to limiting the use of pesticides, limiting environmental pollution and increasing sustainability in production.

Mr. Tran Dinh Binh - Head of Thanh Chuong District Agricultural Extension Station assessed that through the farming process, giant freshwater prawn is a new farming species but it is suitable for local weather conditions, simple farming techniques, and highly effective.

The model of raising giant freshwater prawns in rice fields in Thanh Chuong has achieved quite high productivity, with large prawns having 5-6 prawns/kg and medium prawns having 9-10 prawns/kg. Photo: Huu Thinh

In fact, in the process of raising giant freshwater prawnsalso encountered many difficulties, especially in terms of breeding stock and product consumption markets. Because breeding stock had to be transported from Long An and An Giang provinces by plane, the cost was very high. Meanwhile, the survival rate was only 40 - 50%.

In addition, the price of giant freshwater prawn is also high, so the target consumers are only high-income people and restaurants, so the target farmers must also choose specifically and clearly.

Therefore, before widespread replication, the district is coordinating with seed suppliers and scientists to strictly implement the procedures.

The successful construction of the giant freshwater prawn farming model in rice fields in Thanh Chuong has helped aquaculture farmers in the district access new farming objects and new farming methods with economic efficiency, increasing income per unit area; effectively exploiting low-lying rice fields in the district, increasing sustainability in production and minimizing environmental pollution caused by the use of pesticides./.

Huu Thinh