Due to the looming threat of climate change, the southern province of Bac Lieu recommended localities apply the sustainable integrated rice-shrimp model and farming system, combining the expansion of protection forest with the cultivation of shrimps and crabs.

Over 34,000 hectares were handed over to local residents to develop the integrated model. In addition, the province is currently enlarging 140ha of protection forest for crab-timber cultivation. 

The shrimps and crabs grow rapidly under this production model and are free from diseases. So far, the application has generated at least 100 million VND (4,800 USD) in profit per year for a household. 

Lam Thanh Phuc of Phuoc Long Commune, who has 10 years’ experience in applying the rotation of shrimp and rice production on 3.3ha, said the province’s training classes on agriculture and fishery as well as the application of shrimp-rice farming helped him earn over 150 million VND (7,100 USD) per year. 

Integrated farming is considered an excellent sustainable production model and is recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as an appropriate strategy to address climate change and rising sea levels. 

However, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Luong Ngoc Lan said the locality needed to control the salt water. 

The provincial agriculture authority is coordinating with institutions and research centres to identify rice varieties with a high salinity tolerance. Furthermore, a salinity control facility should be built to enhance sustainable shrimp-rice farming.-VNA