Applying technical innovations to develop sustainable brackish-water shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta

Vietnam’s shrimp industry plays a strategic role, contributing up to 45% of the country’s seafood export value and providing livelihoods for millions of households. However, climate change, stricter quality and traceability requirements, and increasing global competition are posing major challenges. The development goal is no longer to increase volume but to enhance value, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

In the Mekong Delta provinces, several climate-adaptive shrimp farming models are demonstrating high effectiveness. The shrimp–mangrove model in Ca Mau is considered a typical eco-economic system: shrimp are cultured under natural mangrove canopies, without antibiotics, relying on the native ecosystem for environmental regulation. Productivity is moderate but stable, helping protect mangrove forests while producing eco-shrimp favored by high-end markets.

Meanwhile, the shrimp–rice model in Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, and An Giang shows a balance between economic benefits and environmental protection. Rice absorbs waste from shrimp ponds, helping purify water, reduce treatment costs, limit disease outbreaks, and improve overall productivity.

At the same time, high-tech shrimp farming is shaping a modern direction, with lined ponds, water recirculation systems, sensor-based monitoring, and automated management. Grobest’s GroFarm model is a prime example, integrating environmental monitoring technology, standardized nutrition, and technical support from specialists to help farmers optimize costs and reduce risks.

Another significant advancement is the increased capability of producing domestically sourced broodstock, reaching more than 187,800 individuals in 2024, reducing dependence on imports and improving quality control. Standardizing post-larvae, ensuring traceability, implementing farming-area codes, and adopting electronic farm logs are becoming mandatory to enhance the global reputation of Vietnamese shrimp.

With the development orientation of “nature-based, green, high-tech, and data-transparent,” the Mekong Delta's shrimp sector is steadily transitioning toward sustainability, strengthening Vietnam’s position on the global shrimp export map.

Translation from VIBO news. Author of Vietnamese article: according to (vasep.com.vn)