Presently, the whole province has four provincial associations, a seed pangasius producing association, 20 branches with 438 members. The association plays a more active role in working with relative sectors to take advantage of resources to support training, introducing to members and pangasius farmers about the standards of BMP, GAP, Global Gap, etc. The association also supports members and unites them closely in producing, consuming and joining in social activities effectively.
On the whole Dong Thap province, Hong Ngu and Chau Thanh districts have rather large fish farming area. However, the area of ponds is now reducing sharply in some districts. Mr. Le Hong Duc - Chairman of Chau Thanh District Seafood Association- said that “Now, farming area has reduced about 40 percent in the entire locality. Local people are concerning about instability of fish output price, so they do not dare to invest again.”
Commercial pangasius price is skyrocketing which has not attracted pangasius farmers because their capital for producing is mainly from bank (with high current interest). Feed price is increasing sharply (more than 40 percent increase to last year) which causes obstacles for a lot of farmers. This leads to the result that commercial pangasius supply for the market is increasingly low and pangasius processing plants are lacking source of raw material. Many plants invested actively in ponds to have enough supply of raw material for their operation.