From a farming method based mainly on experience and weather conditions, shrimp farmers in An Luong Commune (Gia Lai Province) are gradually shifting to intensive farming and applying science and technology (S&T) to improve economic efficiency, control disease, and protect the environment.
SHIFTING FROM TRADITIONAL FARMING TO APPLYING SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ADVANCES
An Luong Commune has the advantage of land along lagoons and the coast, which is favorable for aquaculture development. However, traditional farming models such as extensive, semi-intensive, and earthen pond farming have revealed many limitations: dependence on weather, difficulty controlling pond conditions, high disease risk, unstable productivity and economic efficiency, and potential environmental pollution.
In light of this reality, shrimp farmers have been forced to change their production mindset, moving from “farming by experience” to applying scientific and technical advances.
LINED PONDS – A SOLUTION TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND CONTROL DISEASE
In 2015, Mr. Ngo Van Cuong and his wife (Xuan Binh Nam hamlet) boldly invested in shrimp farming in lined ponds after selling 4 taels of wedding gold to raise capital. The ponds were fully lined with tarpaulin on the bottom and embankments, combined with paddle wheels, bottom aeration, and siphoning systems, helping to better control environmental indicators and limit pathogens.
In the very first crop, this model brought in a profit of more than VND 200 million. According to Mr. Cuong, although the initial investment cost is high and technical requirements are strict, if the process is followed properly, the efficiency is many times higher than traditional earthen pond farming.
From this success, many households in the area have learned from and replicated the model. Currently, in some hamlets such as An Xuyen 1 and An Xuyen 3, the rate of shrimp farming households using lined ponds has reached 100%.
According to farmers, if using the traditional earthen pond method, maximum profit is only about VND 20 million per crop. Meanwhile, with lined ponds and new techniques, profit can reach over VND 200 million per crop on an area of about 500 m² when market prices are favorable.
PROACTIVELY RESTORING PRODUCTION AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS
On the morning of January 7, Mr. Tran Quoc Toan – Head of An Xuyen 3 hamlet – said that the recent storms, floods, and high tides had inundated and swept away all the shrimp of his family and more than 100 farming households in the hamlet. Currently, households are urgently cleaning and renovating their ponds, re-lining them with tarpaulin, and are expected to stock the first crop after Tet.
Mr. Toan affirmed that people in the hamlet will continue to maintain lined-pond farming and strictly follow technical procedures to minimize risks and improve production efficiency.
ORIENTATION FOR SUSTAINABLE SHRIMP FARMING DEVELOPMENT
According to the An Luong Commune People’s Committee, in 2025 the total shrimp farming area in the commune reached about 490 hectares, of which intensive farming accounted for more than 230 hectares. The locality is encouraging residents to proactively learn and apply S&T advances and strengthen linkages with high-tech shrimp farming enterprises.
Mr. Tran Dinh Vuong – Vice Chairman of the An Luong Commune People’s Committee – said the commune is orienting development toward intensive and semi-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming models, greenhouse farming, and the application of biotechnology and automation to control disease, improve product quality, meet traceability requirements, and ensure sustainable development.
Some households and enterprises have adopted biosecure farming processes, limiting or not using antibiotics. In 2026, An Luong Commune aims to expand whiteleg shrimp farming area to more than 580 hectares, striving for an output of about 5,000 tons.
According to Mr. Vuong, scientific pond management helps reduce feed costs, raise awareness of wastewater treatment, increase the use of biological products to replace harmful chemicals, thereby reducing environmental pollution and improving shrimp survival rates.
MORE SUPPORT NEEDED TO SCALE UP THE MODEL
Alongside the positive results, the application of advanced techniques still faces difficulties due to high investment costs, incomplete farming infrastructure, and limited access to technology among some households.
In the coming time, An Luong Commune proposes that all levels of government continue to provide capital support and preferential credit, strengthen training and technical transfer, invest in infrastructure for concentrated farming areas, and encourage value-chain linkages among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises to promote stable, efficient, and sustainable shrimp farming development.
Ngoc Nga
Source: Gia Lai Newspaper
