SƠN LA — Recognising the disadvantages in soil conditions, Sơn La Province’s Mường La District’s authority has instructed local farmers to shift from agriculture to aquaculture by taking advantage of the district’s reservoirs, VOV reported.

Statistics show that, currently, the district has more than 200 fish farming cages in different reservoirs.

With an average output of three tonnes of fish per cage, farmers are earning VNĐ10-15 million (US$450-670) per cage per batch which is harvested once or twice a year.

“Two years ago, after conducting thorough research and studying the aquaculture methods and practices of Hải Dương and Hòa Bình Provinces, I installed 10 cages to raise tilapia, red tilapia, hemibagrus and carp,” Chu Thành Vương, a resident of Ít Ong town, said. “The practice currently yields a profit of some VNĐ100 million ($4.500) per year.” 

Amongst various hydropower constructions, Sơn La reservoir is the largest reservoir of the district with a total area of 242sq.km.

The reservoir’s size and the favourable weather conditions of the district have created opportunities for the growth of different types of fish, such as red snapper, carp and tilapia, as well as other fish species of high value, such as sturgeon, lentil and spine.

According to Phan Tiến Diện, vice chairman of the district’s People’s Committee, the district authority will continue to support local aquaculture practices with appropriate policies.

“For example, we will give farmers detailed instruction on how to protect the fish’s natural spawning grounds to preserve the marine animal resource in the reservoirs,” Diện said.

“We aim to reach 400 fish farming cages by 2020,” he said. – VNS