Vinh Long Province Enhances Support for Sustainable Aquaculture Development

Vinh Long Province, located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, has long been a key center for cage and raft aquaculture, leveraging its extensive river system and natural advantages. Under the current policy of promoting digital transformation and decentralization in accordance with Government Decree No. 41/2026/ND-CP, the province is actively implementing the issuance of aquaculture registration certificates across its territory. This is a mandatory requirement to legitimize cage and raft aquaculture products for access to supermarkets and export markets. However, farmers face challenges such as a significant increase in feed costs (approximately 600 VND/kg since the beginning of the year), market price fluctuations, and stringent requirements for aquaculture farming area code management. For instance, in carp farming, feed costs alone amount to about 35,000 VND per kilogram, bringing the total production cost, including fry, to approximately 38,000-39,000 VND/kg. Meanwhile, market prices range from 41,500 to 47,000 VND/kg, leaving farmers with minimal profit or even losses. In response, to enhance the risk prevention capacity of cage and raft farmers, the province has proposed the installation of an automatic environmental monitoring and warning system in concentrated farming areas. This system will measure pH and temperature, and provide early warnings for water pollution or the presence of pathogens, enabling farmers to respond promptly and minimize economic losses. The provincial government has designated the management and registration of aquaculture as a top priority. It has instructed relevant departments and local authorities to conduct a 100% review of all farming establishments, create specific lists, and develop a roadmap to guide farmers in completing their registration under Decree No. 41/2026/ND-CP. Furthermore, specialized personnel will be deployed to expedite and ensure transparency in application procedures, and to support the integration into a digitized database for traceability of area, production volume, and farm owners.