A representative of BUREAU VERITAS in Việt Nam (right) presents the BAP certification to the partner organisation involved in the project in Biển Bạch Đông Commune, Thới Bình District, Cà Mau Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

CÀ MAU — The rice-shrimp cultivation area in Thới Bình district of the Mekong Delta province of Cà Mau has received the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification from the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), marking the first time this certification has been awarded to an aquatic farming establishment in Việt Nam.

Võ Văn Được, a local farmer involved in the BAP project for two years, said that the model has helped his family earn VNĐ80 million (US$3,198) per hectare each year.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Biển Bạch Đông commune, Nguyễn Phi Thoàng, said that after more than two years of implementation, the project has proven its efficiency in adapting to climate change and improving local incomes.

Currently, 321 households in the commune are participating in the model, covering a total farming area of more than 696 hectares. Plans are underway to expand this area to approximately 2,000 hectares, according to Thoàng.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thới Bình District, Nguyễn Hoàng Boa, said that Thới Bình has great potential for shrimp-rice cultivation models. The BAP certification will help the locality ensure sustainable farming practices for small-scale operations, minimising environmental impacts, ensuring social benefits, and contributing to a shift in production habits and mindsets among farmers and businesses.

A representative from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) mentioned that several standards, such as SQF, GlobalGAP, ASC, BAP, Naturland, AquaGAP, and VietGAP, are currently applied in aquaculture in Việt Nam. Among these, ASC, GlobalGAP, and BAP are the most commonly used for shrimp exports due to their focus on food safety, disease management, environmental protection, social responsibility, and product traceability.

The achievement of BAP certification is expected to open new markets for Cà Mau shrimp, particularly in countries with stringent import standards. The GAA has over 1,100 members across 70 countries and is a leading organisation in representing the global seafood industry.

A representative from Minh Phú company, which is involved in the project, noted that the BAP certification will allow certified shrimp products from households in the chain to be purchased at a premium price above the market rate. This presents a significant opportunity for Cà Mau to enhance the global profile of its shrimp, particularly in demanding markets with rigorous standards. — VNS