The breeding of shrimp and other aquatic species in submerged forestsin the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh in recent years has helped topreserve the forest's ecology.
From 2010 to 2014, farmers incoastal areas of the province have planted 3,200ha of submerged foreststo breed aquatic species, increasing the total submerged forest coverageto 7,500ha, according to the province's Forest ProtectionSub-department.
Tran Van Tri, Head of the Sub-department'sForest Protection and Management Division, said that breeding shrimp insubmerged forests had proven to be sustainable.
"This has encouraged farmers to invest in planting new forests," he said.
The Mekong province is implementing a plan to plant an additional 10,000ha of submerged forests.
The plan is being carried out in Chau Thanh, Cau Ngang and Duyen Hai districts.
The province has also encouraged farmers to breed aquatic species in submerged forests.
Profitable method
Phan Van Huan, who lives in Duyen Hai district's Hiep Thanh commune,began using 4.5ha of submerged forests to breed shrimp in 2012.
Inthe first year of breeding shrimp in submerged forests, he earned aprofit of 300 million VND (14,200 USD). Huan now has 7.5 of submergedforests in which he breeds shrimp.
"This method has few risks but high and stable profits," he said. "Besides shrimp, I also breed crabs and fish."
NguyenHuu Loc in Duyen Hai district's Long Khanh commune said the Long KhanhMangrove Forest Management Board had allocated 50 ha of mangrove forestsfor him to protect and exploit.
"I have bred shrimp and crabs in the forest, so my income is now better," he said.
Huanand Loc are among thousands of farmers in Tra Vinh's coastal areas,mostly in Duyen Hai, Chau Thanh and Cau Ngang districts, who have earnedhigh profits from breeding shrimp in submerged forests.
Itrequires low investment capital and can offer a profit of 100 millionVND (4,700 USD) per ha a year, according to local farmers. Farmers whobreed shrimp in submerged forests do not need to buy shrimp feed andantibiotics as the shrimp live on natural food. The forests also provideshade for shrimp ponds and protect them from harsh heat.
TranTruong Giang, Head of the Duyen Hai district’s Agriculture and RuralDevelopment Bureau, said the method was promising, especially now thatindustrial shrimp breeding faced disease outbreaks.
"It helps to protect the environment and protect forests," he said.-VNA
From 2010 to 2014, farmers incoastal areas of the province have planted 3,200ha of submerged foreststo breed aquatic species, increasing the total submerged forest coverageto 7,500ha, according to the province's Forest ProtectionSub-department.
Tran Van Tri, Head of the Sub-department'sForest Protection and Management Division, said that breeding shrimp insubmerged forests had proven to be sustainable.
"This has encouraged farmers to invest in planting new forests," he said.
The Mekong province is implementing a plan to plant an additional 10,000ha of submerged forests.
The plan is being carried out in Chau Thanh, Cau Ngang and Duyen Hai districts.
The province has also encouraged farmers to breed aquatic species in submerged forests.
Profitable method
Phan Van Huan, who lives in Duyen Hai district's Hiep Thanh commune,began using 4.5ha of submerged forests to breed shrimp in 2012.
Inthe first year of breeding shrimp in submerged forests, he earned aprofit of 300 million VND (14,200 USD). Huan now has 7.5 of submergedforests in which he breeds shrimp.
"This method has few risks but high and stable profits," he said. "Besides shrimp, I also breed crabs and fish."
NguyenHuu Loc in Duyen Hai district's Long Khanh commune said the Long KhanhMangrove Forest Management Board had allocated 50 ha of mangrove forestsfor him to protect and exploit.
"I have bred shrimp and crabs in the forest, so my income is now better," he said.
Huanand Loc are among thousands of farmers in Tra Vinh's coastal areas,mostly in Duyen Hai, Chau Thanh and Cau Ngang districts, who have earnedhigh profits from breeding shrimp in submerged forests.
Itrequires low investment capital and can offer a profit of 100 millionVND (4,700 USD) per ha a year, according to local farmers. Farmers whobreed shrimp in submerged forests do not need to buy shrimp feed andantibiotics as the shrimp live on natural food. The forests also provideshade for shrimp ponds and protect them from harsh heat.
TranTruong Giang, Head of the Duyen Hai district’s Agriculture and RuralDevelopment Bureau, said the method was promising, especially now thatindustrial shrimp breeding faced disease outbreaks.
"It helps to protect the environment and protect forests," he said.-VNA
