Salt farmers earn more by breeding crab in field

Salt farmers in Thanh An Island in Can Gio District reaped profit of VND50 million ($2,200) per hectare a season for breeding crab in their salt field.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

From 2012 to 2016, the agriculture authority in Ho Chi Minh City’s Can Gio District implemented crab breeding in the field. 26 households in Thanh An Island have raised crabs in their field of 14 hectare. 

The survival rate of crab -cubs in 2012 was 15-20 percent and it has increased to 40-50 percent at present. Average weight of a crab is 200gram with productivity of one ton per hectare. Crabs are fetch VND160,000 a kilogram.

Accordingly farmers enjoyed VND50 million per hectare for one crop after excluding spending.

The breeding has helped increase income for salt farmers who can pursue their traditional job but still earn more in rainy season when they can not make salt.

More aquatic animals are suitable for breeding in the island yet farmers should master the breeding technique.