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Aquaculture to double
A new strategy targets a $7bil turnover by 2020, up from $3.2bil
Viet Nam has set a 6.5 million tonne aquaculture production target for US$7 billion in turnover by 2020, a $3.2 billion increase compared to 2008.
This target is one of several objectives in the draft "Development Strategy for the Fishery Sector by 2020" prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The document is expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister in a few days.
An estimated VND67 trillion ($3.8 billion) will be needed to implement the strategy, which will be raised from a variety of sources including organisations, individuals, the State budget and foreign direct investment.
The capital mobilised will primarily be used for irrigation networks, technical infrastructure for concentrated breeding production enterprises, aquaculture areas, research and development activities as well as building new fishing boats and other activities.
To this end, Ministry Deputy Nguyen Viet Thang said the sector should look at both foreign and domestic markets – a very important factor the industry’s sustainable development.
"For the immediate future, the fisheries sector should focus on the domestic market. Productivity, quality and the living conditions of fishermen must be harmonised. Development must always be balanced with the protection of fish resources," said Thang.
Dr. Le Thanh Luu, Director of the Institute for Aqua Culture Study No 1, said a pivotal factor in the fisheries development was the market.
"Trade promotion is imperative," said Luu.
"Our country holds a comparative advantage in the production of Tiger shrimp and Tra fish, so we need to focus our investment in these two products," he said.
According to Tran Thi Mieng, deputy director of the Department of Agro-Fisheries Processing and Salt Production, the sector should reinforce traditional markets while seeking expansion.
Quality and price
Mieng said production of low-price, high-quality products was an important factor for Viet Nam to secure a foothold in the international and domestic markets.
Ministry Deputy Vu Van Tam said the determination by farmers and enterprises to cut production costs and improve product quality would help increase the sales volume, particularly in 2009 when most economies are being hit by economic crisis.
Viet Nam has set a $4 billion target in fisheries turnover for 2009.
To achieve the target, the ministry has asked localities to review wetland areas set aside for aquaculture and to ensure good bio security is established in production areas.
In addition to expanding shrimp production areas, it has urged farmers to adjust the scale of Tra and shrimp production to meet market demands.
Tam said that along with traditional markets such as China, South Korea, Australia and Russia, Viet Nam would try to consolidate and develop major markets including the US, the EU and Japan.
Viet Nam is a sea nation with more than 3,260km of coast lines and territorial waters that cover an area nearly three times larger than the land area.
There are almost 3,000 islands and nearly 10 million hectares of wet land. About 2.2 million hectares of water surface is available for aqua culture.
These natural attributes have helped the country become strong in maritime economy ranging from fish, shrimp, molluscs, seaweed to other products.
Development of aquaculture, especially in catching fish offshore, is considered as a contribution to national defence and territorial integrity for Viet Nam’s waters and its exclusive economic zones.
To date, 544 fish species have been identified in the country. It is estimated that Viet Nam’s fisheries resources may yield 4.5-5 million tonnes, of which between 1.8-2 million tonnes are ready for catch.
In addition to maritime products, fresh-water aquaculture products come to almost 200,000 tonnes. Most are cultured in the Mekong Delta.
Growth rate
Between 1985 and 2008 the fisheries sector posted an average growth rate from 6-10 per cent per year.
Viet Nam currently ranks sixth among 10 major exporters of aquaculture products after China, India and others. It also ranks 12th in the world for production of other maritime products.
The fisheries sector has 229 processing enterprises that meet the technical requirements for export of their products directly to the EU, while 350 out of the remaining 530 enterprises meet national food safety standards.
According to Dr. Chu Tien Vinh from the Department of Exploiting and Protecting Aqua Products, Viet Nam has achieved notable progress in development, but it still does not meet its potential.
"Fish farmers are still facing the problem of good harvest but low prices," said Vinh.
He said a key contributor to the problem was poor technical infrastructure, particularly irrigation systems, ports and harbour facilities.
"Though the processing industry has experienced strong development, its comparative advantages remain low," Vinh said.
VietNamNet, VietNamNews
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