Ca Mau farmers happy with the cultivation of rice and giant freshwater prawns

Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau have been witnessing the effectiveness of the cultivation of rice and all-male giant freshwater shrimp following VietGAP standards.

The Agricultural Seeds and Breeds Centre of Ca Mau Province is implementing the project on the cultivation of rice and male giant freshwater shrimps in the north region of the province.

With the scientific and technical process of cultivating rice - all-male giant freshwater shrimp that Ca Mau farmers applied in the past years, the project is in two districts of U Minh and Thoi Binh have been more successful than expected.

Pham Minh Dung, Deputy Director of the Center for Agricultural Seeds and Breeds of Ca Mau province said that last year, the VietGAP intercropping model between fragrant rice ST24 and all-male giant freshwater prawn got high yields. Shrimps production reached over 270 kg/ha, rice production more than three tons/ha.

In 2021, the yield of rice and all-male giant freshwater shrimp is estimated to be higher than last year, making farmers happier.

Within the project framework, the Mekong Delta Development Research and Development Institute project and the Agricultural Seeds and Breeds Centre of Ca Mau province offered training to 250 farmers about the rice and the all-male giant freshwater prawn farming process.

Tran Van Hai, from Hamlet 11, Khanh Thuan Commune, U Minh District said that thanks to this year’s favourable weather conditions, the cultivation of rice and shrimps at the same rice fields were better than the previous crop.

“Overall, this model is much better than last year. The model of intercropping between rice and all-male giant freshwater shrimp is highly appreciated by farmers here,” he said.

Pham Minh Dung, Deputy Director of the Center for Agricultural Seeds and Breeds of Ca Mau province, said that This year, thanks to favourable weather, the results of the implementation of the all-male rice-crayfish intercropping model are better. According to the project's target, shrimp yield is 250 kg/ha, rice is 3.5 tons/ha.

Up to now, looking at the size of shrimp, it is estimated that the yield is about 300 kg/ha and the rice is about 4 tons/ha. In particular, this model uses fragrant rice variety ST24 and stocked all-male giant freshwater shrimp, so traders are willing to buy at a price 5-10 per cent higher than the market.

"Until now, it can be confirmed that the model satisfies goals of improving production value for farmers. At the same time, through this project, the quality and value of products have been improved, contributing to the development of organic agriculture in Ca Mau province," said Dung.  

Model of intercropping between rice and all-male giant freshwater shrimps with VietGAP standards (second season in 2021)

A total of 136 households participate in the project. They are given all-male giant freshwater prawns, ST24 rice seeds, fertilizer; probiotics and minerals... with the correct quantity as the approved estimates.

Result: Rice is growing well. Participating households raise all-male giant freshwater shrimps on a total area of 200ha.

In U Minh District, shrimps are raised for more than four months. In general, shrimps grow well, reaching an average weight, about 45 heads per kg.

In Thoi Binh District: shrimps are raised for more than three months. Shrimps grow well, reaching average weight, about 65 head per kg.