Cage fish farming in Muong Khieng

Cage fish farming model of Ban Xa village people, Muong Khieng commune.

Muong Khieng has more than 1,030 hectares of surface water of Son La hydroelectric reservoir, with more than 700 fish cages; there are 2 aquaculture cooperatives in operation in the area. In the first 6 months of the year, the commune's aquaculture and exploitation output reached more than 550 tons.

Aquaculture - Fruit Tree Growing and General Services Cooperative, Muong Khieng Commune, was established in 2020, with 46 members, raising more than 400 fish cages. Cooperative members have been guided specifically by agencies and units to transfer advanced farming techniques, ensuring productivity and product quality; carry out procedures for VietGAP certification, have traceability stamps and business licenses, so selling fish is more convenient.

Mr. Quang Van Hop, Director of the Cooperative, shared: Since 2021, the Cooperative has cooperated with traders in the Hanoi area to purchase directly at the fish cage farming area. Thanks to strict application of care and disease prevention processes, the fish have developed well, guaranteed quality and are favored by traders. Each cage yields 300 kg of various types of fish/year, with selling prices ranging from 110,000 - 150,000 VND/kg. Each household member earns from 100 million VND to more than 500 million VND/year.

Cage fish is the main source of income for many households in Huoi Pan village, Muong Cheng commune.

As one of the household raising many fish in cages in the commune, Mr. Quang Van Sam, Ban Xa village, shared: His family raises 15 fish cages, harvesting more than 3 tons of fish each year. In addition to investing in buying fish feed and preventing and fighting diseases, the family also takes advantage of agricultural by-products such as cassava, corn or catches seafood themselves to reduce investment costs. On average, each year, the family earns more than 150 million VND from selling fish in cages.

However, with the number of fish cages increasing rapidly, the problem of building brands, unstable consumption markets and prices, and unsustainable linkages from production to product consumption is posed. Mr. Quang Van Tiep, Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, said: Currently, the commune is actively propagating and mobilizing people to maintain and care for fish to ensure quality, proactively prevent and fight diseases during the rainy season; directing commune officials to coordinate with villages to review the amount of fish needed for sale so that the commune can have a consumption plan. At the same time, coordinate with specialized agencies, units, and enterprises to build a production chain, gradually building the brand of Muong Khieng cage fish products. Search for businesses and units to purchase products, coordinate in processing vacuum-packed fish fillets, to sell to restaurants and supermarkets, helping people consume products...

People of Muong Khieng commune harvest fish.

Cage fish farming has contributed to solving the employment problem and increasing income for people in Muong Khieng commune. In addition to the efforts of fish farming households, it is necessary to have the support of local authorities and departments and branches in linking to find stable consumption markets, helping people develop cage fish farming, increase income, and contribute significantly to the development of the locality.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/lanh-te/nghe-nuoi-ca-long-o-muong-khieng-0cxsN5yNg.html