Applying technology and digital transformation in shrimp farming.

Risks and shortcomings

The shrimp farming industry in particular, and the fisheries sector in general, in Nghe An province has affirmed its potential and advantages. For a long time, shrimp farmers in the province have invested in intensive farming, applying scientific and technological advancements, bringing higher economic efficiency. However, the shrimp farming industry is facing many challenges such as the ability to control diseases, monitor the health of farmed shrimp, and trace the origin of the shrimp after they are sold to the market.

Shrimp farmers in Quynh Luu district are suffering losses due to frequent disease outbreaks. Photo: Xuan Hoang.

Mr. Ho Mau Thanh, the owner of a shrimp farm in Hamlet 2, Quynh Luong Commune (Quynh Luu District), said that although his family invested in shrimp farming according to VietGAP standards, all input stages were carried out manually, and daily record-keeping was often careless, resulting in inadequate and inaccurate control over shrimp farming. Consequently, the shrimp frequently contracted diseases and grew slowly.

If applying new techniques and digital transformation in commercial shrimp farming results in fewer losses, higher yields, and profitability, farmers will confidently follow suit. We hope to receive support for investment in new technologies and technical training so that farmers can confidently engage in shrimp farming.

Mr. Ho Mau Thanh - owner of a shrimp farm in Hamlet 2, Quynh Luong Commune (Quynh Luu District)

It is a locality with an area ofbrackish water shrimp farmingWith an area of ​​over 50 hectares, Quynh Luong commune considers shrimp farming as one of its key economic sectors. However, in recent years, shrimp farming has frequently been affected by disease, resulting in low returns.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tue, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luong commune, also stated that although some areas have applied VietGAP farming processes, the majority are still using manual methods, resulting in inaccurate daily monitoring of all stages of shrimp farming. Therefore, applying technology and systematically transforming the entire process from input to output would yield higher economic efficiency and give shrimp farmers more confidence in controlling diseases and other processes. However, for shrimp farmers in the commune to widely adopt technology and digital transformation in shrimp farming, specific models are needed, as most people lack understanding of this technology.

According to the Fisheries Sub-Department's assessment, in recent years, shrimp farmers in the province have gradually applied new scientific and technological advancements: biotechnology, multi-stage farming, recirculating aquaculture, etc., combined with investment in upgrading infrastructure in both farming areas and individual farms (building greenhouses, floating cages with roofs to stabilize temperature, limit the spread of pathogens and other impacts affecting shrimp growth,...) which has increased productivity and product quality.

Shrimp farming on sandy soil in Dien Trung commune, Dien Chau district. Photo: Thu Huyen

However, the area dedicated to multi-stage shrimp farming is still limited, with the majority of shrimp farming in the province being open-air pond farming using a single-stage process. This method requires relatively low initial investment in infrastructure, equipment, and electricity and water systems. Therefore, it meets the needs of most current farms, requiring lower initial costs compared to multi-stage farming or floating cage/tank farming, and is suitable for households with limited economic resources. However, the drawbacks include difficulties in management, susceptibility to disease, and the risk of natural disasters such as heatwaves and floods, leading to lower efficiency and essentially only allowing for one main crop per year.

Digital transformation applications are essential.

Mr. Ta Quang Sang, Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, stated that many areas nationwide have applied high technology and digital transformation in shrimp farming, yielding high efficiency. Meanwhile, shrimp farming areas in Nghe An province only have a few demonstration models based on the general development orientation of the industry towards increasing the content of new scientific and technological advancements, VietGAP, and applying information technology to production… but have not yet applied digital transformation technology.

The shrimp farming industry in Nghe An currently faces many shortcomings and risks, so the application of technology and digital transformation is a necessary solution. Photo: Xuan Hoang

So,Applying technology and digital transformation applications.Technology is a necessary and appropriate solution in aquaculture, especially when shrimp farming faces significant pressure from climate change, environmental issues, and water pollution. Applying technology helps manage farming more effectively, from water resources and feed to disease control, and facilitates traceability.

“To achieve digital transformation in shrimp farming, farmers need to change their production management methods immediately, replacing traditional pond monitoring and management with the use of digitalized production management software. This will allow farmers to easily manage feed, chemicals, and the entire farming process, all stored on the software application via computer or phone. Therefore, the adoption of digital technology in aquaculture is essential in the coming time,” Mr. Ta Quang Sang emphasized.

Applying floating tank shrimp farming technology in Dien Chau. Photo: Mai Giang

With the province's great potential in shrimp farming, Nghe An aims to develop shrimp farming into a major commodity production industry, creating a sustainable key agricultural product.adapting to climate changeand protect the ecological environment; improve productivity, quality, value, production efficiency, and competitiveness of Nghe An shrimp products; bring many benefits to related individuals/organizations, aiming to ensure social security… Thereby contributing to the successful implementation of the Project on restructuring the agricultural sector towards increasing added value and sustainable development and the National Action Plan for the development of the Vietnamese shrimp industry until 2025. Accordingly, by 2025, the total annual shrimp farming area in Nghe An will reach 2,200 hectares, with a shrimp production of 12,500 tons/year.