Trout farming in Son La ...
According to fisheries experts, several mountainous areas in the northern province of Son La have favourable natural conditions for year-round trout farming. Presently this coldwater species is reared in a farm located in Song Chong village, Xim Vang commune. To date, the farm has sold to market 3,500 trout weighed on average 1.5 kilos each, besides more 7,000 fingerlings are growing well in the Xim Vang Mountain. Mr. Do Kien Hau, director of a branch of Hong Long Co., Ltd, said this mountainous region Xim Vang has natural conditions appropriate to farm trout. Despite high techniques and large investment inputs, farmed trout brings about high profits. The company plans to build more three reservoirs to farm this species and search for new locations in other areas in the province.
Hoang Ngoc Huyen, a worker of the farm, said with advantageous natural conditions like in Xim Vang plus strictly following technical requirements and proper farming practice, farmed trout can reach three kilos each; the yield averages 30MT per ha.
... and in Lai Chau
The 54-year-old farmer, Tran Yen, has been the first to farm trout in Lai Chau Province. After witnessing trout farming in Sa Pa, 20km from his home province, Yen was convinced of the potential of fish farming. Most farmers in the area were involved in forestry and cattle rising, which earned them about VND30-40 million (US$1,800- 2,500) per year. Yen wanted to try something more profitable, and thought that fish farming was suitable, as there are good climate conditions and cheap labour in Lai Chau.
With an initial loan of VND100 million (US$6,200) from the Lai Chau Social Policy Bank, Yen started building reservoirs and buying fish fries in the late 2005.
Despite several times of failures, Yen strongly kept his determination to continue. And his efforts have been paid off. In 2007 he harvested 40 MT of trout, earning VND 6 billion (US$ 375,000). This year, he expects to produce 80-90 MT, doubling profits.
His products are mainly consumed in northern cities, particularly Ha Noi, Lai Chau, Hai Phong and Dien Bien. Yen would like to help other farmers profit from his knowledge. ‘Trout farming provides a stable income, I hope to share my experiences so that other farmers can get involved in this business. However, apart from knowledge, capital is also crucial. It is not easy for a farmer to invest VND100 million (US$6,200) in fish farming,’ said Yen. In addition to trout, Yen has also started raising sturgeon, which can fetch VND500,000- 600,000 (US$31-37) per kilo. His farm employs 100 local workers with the average salary of VND2 million (US$125) per month.
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