Catfish farming in the Mekong Delta has turned out to be the profit making farm and is one of the largest freshwater aquaculture industries in the world. The sector has already reached the forecast for 2010 of a production of 1 million tonnes with export value of US$ 1 billion. But it needs better management because the farming practices need to be improved in many fronts and issues of environmental integrity addressed to ensure the industry continues to develop in a sustainable manner.
The main purpose of developing the better management practices in this farm is to increase the profitability and environmental performance of farmers through more efficient use of resources. Better management practices will reduce farmer’s risk profile and environmental impact and contribute to the wider sustainability of the industry as a whole.
For better management catfish farming have to follow the prescribed guidelines for hatchery (husbandry and broodstock management) and grow-out (health, feeds and feedings) for the development. Skills-based training in Vietnam, Australia and Thailand to facilitate implementation of Better Management Practices and associated practice change in fish farming in the Mekong Delta.
The projects people has discussed the matter with the farmers and processor groups and developed a work plan for the project. The Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development Programme of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is funding the project.
