Ben Tre province, known for its vibrant aquaculture industry, has seen significant success in shrimp farming, with approximately 47,800 hectares dedicated to this sector. Notably, over 4,800 hectares of aquaculture ponds adhere to international standards such as ASC, BAP, GlobalGAP, and MSC, showcasing the province’s commitment to quality and sustainability.

The average productivity in these shrimp farms ranges from 60 to 70 tons per hectare of water surface, yielding substantial profits of 700-800 million VND (approx. 29,000-33,000 USD) per crop. This success has significantly boosted the economic well-being of the local populace.

In the past year, Ben Tre exceeded its aquaculture targets, with a total area of 47,800 hectares and an output of 336,200 tons, reflecting a 6.57% increase compared to the previous year. A noteworthy aspect is the application of international standards in over 4,800 hectares of aquaculture ponds, emphasizing the province’s dedication to responsible and sustainable practices.

The brackish water shrimp farming area in Ben Tre surpassed 36,300 hectares last year, including 3,110 hectares devoted to high-tech shrimp farming. Farmers engaged in high-tech shrimp farming reported profits ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 VND (0.82 to 1.64 USD) per kilogram. Additionally, the province maintains a pangasius farming area of 800 hectares and giant freshwater prawn farming covering 1,800 hectares, contributing significantly to the overall aquaculture output.

Furthermore, the fishermen in Ben Tre have capitalized on their coastal location by cultivating molluscs on 5,150 hectares, achieving 100% of the planned targets. The mollusc harvest, including clams, blood cockles, and oysters, is estimated at 14,800 tons, highlighting the diversity in aquaculture practices.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Ben Tre acknowledges the increasing investments in brackish water shrimp farming, particularly in the high-tech shrimp farming model. This model has proven to be highly efficient, allowing for multiple shrimp harvests per year and better disease management.

The rapid transition from traditional intensive and semi-intensive farming to high-tech shrimp farming in the districts of Ba Tri, Binh Dai, and Thanh Phu marks a significant milestone in the development of brackish water shrimp farming in Ben Tre. The success of this model is evident in the remarkable growth from 550 hectares in 2018 to an impressive 2,567 hectares by the end of 2022.

Despite the success, the agricultural sector in Ben Tre faces challenges in the expansion of high-tech shrimp farming areas. Incomplete irrigation infrastructure and inadequate water supply and drainage canal systems pose difficulties for production activities and disease control. Moreover, the high initial investment cost deters potential investors, as the two-phase shrimp farming model demands substantial financial commitment.

To address these challenges, the province has outlined a roadmap to develop high-tech shrimp farming areas, aiming for 4,000 hectares with an output of 144,000 tons by 2025 and 5,800 hectares with an output of 208,800 tons by 2030. These areas will be concentrated mainly in coastal districts, including Binh Dai, Thanh Phu, and Ba Tri.

By 2030, the province plans to establish five high-tech shrimp farming areas, each with a scale of 3,350 hectares, concentrated in the aforementioned districts. Additionally, Ben Tre aims to leverage existing infrastructure to develop high-tech shrimp farming areas with smaller farm and household scales ranging from 2 to 10 hectares.

In pursuit of these goals, Ben Tre encourages the development of cooperation and production linkages, emphasizing the formation of cooperative groups and cooperatives in each district. The province sets an ambitious target for each district to establish a brackish water shrimp farming cooperative applying high technology, with a financial investment of 100 billion VND (4.1 million USD) per cooperative.