Nam Dinh: Local farmers trained in good agricultural practices

The application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) has been introduced to small-scaled farmers in northern Nam Dinh province.

The workshop was held in Giao Thuy district on September 8 by the Centre for Marine-life Conservation and Community Development (MCD) and the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The event aimed to identify the opportunities and challenges of applying GAPs in aquatic farming and provide the farmers in Giao Thuy, Hai Hau and Nghia Hung districts with technique training on agricultural practices following VietGAP standards.

It also looks to expand the practices in prawn and oyster farming in Nam Dinh province.

The occasion was part of an MCD project funded by the US Department of State to enhance the capacity of small-scale aquatic farming households through promoting GAPs in Vietnam and sharing experience with other ASEAN member states.

The project has been carried out in Nam Dinh and southern Ca Mau provinces since January this year.

Nam Dinh province has around 1,700 hectares of oyster farming and 3,200 hectares of prawn fields, said Cao Thi Nga from the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, adding that despite the expansion of these areas over the years, harmful local practices coupled with natural disasters have negatively affected the ecosystem.

She stressed that GAPs should be encouraged in Vietnam to not only add value but also contribute to sustainable development.

Other standards for fish farming in Vietnam were also introduced at the workshop including Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), GlobalGAP, VietGAP and ASC.

According to Nguyen Tuan Hiep from the Aquaculture Department, applying GAPs will help build brand names for Vietnamese seafood in overseas markets; improve quality, safety, productivity and output of the products; and protect the ecosystem.-VNA