(VAN) Organic agricultural production helps Ca Mau achieve many international certifications. These certifications help Vietnamese shrimp expand export routes to the most demanding countries.

Agricultural production associated with ecosystem protection

Ca Mau province has nearly 40,000 hectares of ecological rice on shrimp farming land that have been granted a certification mark. Approximately 800 hectares of rice have been certified with domestic and international organic standards. There are over 19,000 hectares of shrimp-forest farming certified for ecological shrimp, and over 20,000 hectares of safe, high-quality rice.

As of now, Ca Mau has implemented over 10 production and consumption linkages of safe and organic rice along the value chain, of which many rice brands have achieved organic certification.

These results are thanks to the great efforts of local governments and the agricultural sector, especially the role of businesses and farmers participating in the standard production chain.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, shared that in recent times, Ca Mau province has encouraged farmers to produce in favorable ecological areas in an organic direction, focusing on creating green, clean products. The province has had policies to support businesses in reaching out to farmers and cooperating with farmers to build organic agricultural production areas.

Ca Mau province sets the goal of aquaculture associated with nature, not using chemicals, not using genetically modified products, and minimizing the impact of aquaculture on the environment.

Ms. Mai Thuy Trang, Director of Tai Thinh Phat Farm Cooperative (Tam Giang commune, Nam Can district, Ca Mau province), said: Initially, her family had 6 hectares of natural aquaculture (shrimp, crab, fish, etc.) in mangrove forests according to the ecological model. After a period of testing and perfecting from the process of raising, pre-processing, and packaging products to consumption markets, the Cooperative has now expanded the raw material area to nearly 1,500 hectares with the cooperation of 50 farmer households in the region.

According to the Director of Tai Thinh Phat Farm Cooperative, the Cooperative has built a closed chain from farming until the product reaches consumers. Consumers can feel the true quality of the product. Building a value chain contributes to raising community awareness about ecosystem protection. The Cooperative's goal is to build raw material areas, create sustainable livelihoods for people, create natural farming areas, and preserve Ca Mau's mangrove ecosystem.

Currently, Tai Thinh Phat Farm Cooperative has produced more than 10 products in three main groups, including frozen products, pre-processing, and deep processing. Products are mainly seasonal, such as goby fish, giant tiger prawn, greasyback shrimp, and frozen greasyback shrimp. Each month the Cooperative consumes 10–15 tons of raw materials for farmers; monthly revenue reaches more than VND 700 million, creating jobs for more than 20 local workers. 

Place with many international certifications

Ngoc Hien district (Ca Mau province) has now over 53,000 hectares of forestry land combined with aquaculture. International organizations have currently certified 9,300 hectares with more than 1,800 farming households.

Farmer Le Minh Ty in Rach Goc town, Ngoc Hien district, said: Ecological shrimp farming in Ngoc Hien district is more profitable than other types. Raw shrimp are sold at purchasing stations of inspected companies.

In recent years, Minh Phu Shrimp-Forest Chain Social Company Limited has coordinated with the Center for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development to participate in building shrimp farming areas in Tri Luc commune (Thoi Binh district, Ca Mau province) that achieve responsible aquaculture certification (ASC) in October 2023.

Most recently, BAP certification for good aquaculture practices from the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) has been granted to the rice-shrimp farming area in Bien Bach Dong commune (Thoi Binh district). These are models that are highly appreciated by both domestic and international markets, bringing good efficiency in production.

Mr. Lam Thai Xuyen, Director of Minh Phu Shrimp-Forest Chain Social Company Limited shared that BAP certification is the basis for businesses to coordinate with the Bach Dong Bien Commune People's Committee and households to continue expanding the model with the goal of 100% of the area specializing in rice-shrimp cultivation (about 4,000 hectares).

Author: Trong Linh