Within the framework of the project “Gender Transformative and Responsible Agribusiness Investments in Shrimp Chain Value in Vietnam in the period of 2018 – 2021”, a community dialogue on “Guiding and experience sharing on practices of organic rice-shrimp farming in Tri Luc Commune, Thoi Binh District, Ca Mau Province” was organized by MCD, in collaboration with the Sub-Department of Fisheries in Ca Mau Province and the People’s Committee of Tri Luc Commune.

The dialogue was held on September 24, 2020 at the hall of the People’s Committee in Tri Luc Commune with the participation of 30 delegates from various agencies, including representatives from the Research Institute of Aquaculture (RIA) in the Southern of Hau River, representatives from MCD, People’s Committee of Tri Luc Commune, Minh Phu Social Enterprise, and members of five small scale farmer groups practicing rice-shrimp farming in Tri Luc Commune – Thoi Binh District – Ca Mau Province.

Photo. The Community Dialogue Participants in Tri Luc Commune

At the dialogue, the benefits of practicing organic farming, as well as the required principle and criteria applied in organic rice-shrimp farming were shared by Mr. Nguyen Van Trung – the Vice Director of the Sub-Department of Fisheries in Ca Mau Province.

Photo. Mr. Nguyen Van Trung – the Vice Director of the Sub-Department of Fisheries in Ca Mau Province was sharing the benefits of organic farming

The local farmers agreed with the local policy in implementing rice-shrimp farming in accordance with the standards, though, a number of challenges were raised regarding water quality, the breeds, and impact from climate change – saline intrusion.

“Even though organic rice-shrimp farming might not be as productive as other farming model, the income and benefits from it is still considered to be equal or even higher than others. Especially, the farmers need not to be worry about the consumption market. Moreover, due to the organic farming, the health of farmers is guaranteed, we are greatly proud of our products”.

Photo. A representative from farmers practicing organic rice-shrimp farming in Tri Luc Commune was giving his speech.

A representative from Minh Phu Social Enterprise shared that 301 households (covering 665ha approximately) in Tri Luc commune has participated and registered in the organic rice-shrimp farming, and the assessments are undergoing and to be finalised by the end of 2020. In case the product quality meets the standard, the price shall be increased by 10-20%.

Photo. A representative from Minh Phu Social Business was giving his speech.

However, some challenges are still existed in the shrimp certification system that need to be addressed (i) organising farming groups to be able in applying the standards (ii) development and improvement of the linkages from the input to output of the product and (iii) enhancing famers’ group compliance and management. As a result, it is proposed that MCD shall to continuously cooperate with managing agency, businesses and localities in implementing activities to build up capacity for the local farmers group in the standards application, expand groups and improve their linkages (i.e. via community activities such as Community Café Gathering, identifying core groups champions etc.), and promoting group/sub-group purchase and stocking in order to guarantee breed quality as imposed in the standards.