Recently, Ha Trung (Thanh Hoa) District Agricultural Service Center has successfully tested the model of mixed cultivation of king freshwater shrimp and rice in conjunction with the product consumption market in Ha Hai Township (Ha Trung District).

Aquaculture households in Ha Vinh, Hoat Giang, Linh Toai, Ha Linh, and Ha Chau communes (each commune appoints two experienced households) participated in district-organized technical training on intercropping with rice by the Agricultural Service Center. Two households implementing the model are Mr. Trinh Xuan Duc and Trinh Xuan Manh in Yen Thon Village (Ha Hai Municipality), with a total area of ​​2.5 ha, the number of stocked shrimp species is 75,000, the stocking density is 3 shrimp/m2 , size size 2cm/head. Households participating in the model are supported with 50% of the cost of buying seeds and 200 kg of special bran for shrimp.

Mr. Trinh Xuan Duc, one of the two households in the model, shared: When he participated in the project of rearing freshwater shrimp in intercropping with rice, he was hesitant at first for fear of not doing well, but when he read and studied documents he did not think breeding was good, freshwater shrimp have many advantages, and at the same time, through learning from acquaintances and attending training courses on shrimp farming techniques, he has gained more experience, so that he has acquired the basic knowledge.

According to Mr. Duc, the first thing to do is to renovate the pond, clean the grass around the banks and vacuum up the water to treat litter fish. Spread lime powder on the surface of the pond to sanitize and disinfect, and at the same time prepare the soil and sow rice so that shrimp have shelter. Then get enough water in the field, use multi-layer filter cloth to prevent fish eggs from going into the garbage. If the water level is guaranteed to be stable prior to insertion, shrimp seed is removed from the aquaculture hatchery to ensure good quality.

After stocking, do not feed the first few days, feed the next 4-5 days with specialized shrimp bran, feed 4 times a day (morning, noon, afternoon, evening), each time 0.2kg/amount 22,000 children. The feed when the shrimp are young is industrial feed with 35% protein content, when the shrimp are growing the main food is snails, fish of all kinds… The feeding of bran is gradually increased over a period of a few months and the feeding times are increased Reduced 2 times/day and then fed snails and garbage fish of all kinds, the first time had to be cooked to feed, gradually fed fresh, crushed and thrown around the pond to feed the shrimp…

Care is not too picky as the shrimp are very strong, suitable for freshwater environments and grow well. Food is easy to find, there is no need to change water, shrimp withstand the summer heat. Monitoring from stocking to growth, development and harvest showed no signs of disease.

Mr. Duc said the rate of shrimp from stocking to growth was over 60%, yield was 550kg/ha, weight was 0.03kg/head, which is 33 shrimp/kg, large weighing 18 pieces/kg, small from 25 pieces/kg, the average selling price of 250,000 VND/kg, the profit is estimated at over 50% (excluding the value of the income from rice).

After the trial cultivation, the households inside and outside the model organized the acceptance test to evaluate the results. Accordingly, the mixed cultivation of king freshwater shrimp and rice in Ha Hai Township achieved high results. Specifically: The rice area in the model of 1.75 ha results in a yield of 60 quintals/ha = 10.5 tons, the price is 8 million VND/ton, the value is 84.4 million VND. Shrimp 33.75 thousand, harvested 1,350 kg, priced at VND 250,000/kg, the value reached VND 337.5 million. The total revenue from shrimp and rice reached VND421.9 million. Less costs, the rice profit is VND 32.6 million/1.75 ha; The shrimp profit is 197.2 million VND/2.5 ha.

Benefits, in just 6 months, rearing giant freshwater shrimp infused with rice brings high economic efficiency and increases farmers’ income. After deducting costs, commercial shrimp made a profit of nearly VND 79 million/ha; Rice generates a profit of nearly 13 million VND/ha. Thus, the profit of each shrimp and rice farming household is 91.6 million VND/ha. At present, commercial jumbo freshwater shrimp priced at 25 shrimp/kg are easily sold from VND280,000/kg or more.

It is easy to see that when implementing the model, the production costs are low, shrimp are easy to breed, have fewer diseases, minimize the risk of damage, do not use pesticides, have a low yield of rice, but achieve biological and enhanced value of rice . At present, on the basis of the introduction and search for long-term consumption points, shrimp, fish and seafood products are mainly supplied to specialty restaurants, commercial markets, retail buyers, large quantities can be connected to various outlets and enterprises inside and outside the area for stable consumption.