As much as 745,000 hectares of water surface in Mekong (Cuu Long) delta will be allocated for aquatic farming in 2013, up 2,200 hectares over 2012, according to local authorities.

Provinces in the region are striving for 1.7 million tonnes of fish, including at least 1.2 million tonnes of catfish, and 370,000 tonnes of shrimp.

To attain the goal, nearly 40,000 billion VND (some 20 billion USD) will be financed to farmers for facilities, fingerlings and feed.

Farmers will also be supported with technology transfer, better irrigation and managing system, as well as marketing. Those measures will help the products meet the strict demands of international market.-VNA