Grants :: Small Grant Facilities :: Improving mangrove based crab culture for stable income, community connection and promoting mangrove plantation
Household checks on crab nursing pond , Truong Long Hoa, Duyen Hai, Tra Vinh, Vietnam © IUCN Vietnam
The project aims to develop mangrove-based crab poly-culture for the sustainable income and ecological environment to the community as well as to raise awareness on the importance of mangroves
Rapid mangrove loss due to industrial shrimp farming development has resulted in shrimp production decrease for local households in Truong Long Hoa commune of Duyen Hai district, Tra Vinh province. In the last ten years, people have realized the benefit from keeping mangroves in their farming ponds and shifted into mangrove-based aquaculture. However, the economic effect is not high due to the lack of funding, techniques and experience.
When the project was finalized, on average, each household had obtained 30-40 kg / month and increased their income by 2-3 million VND / month from harvest of crabs and by 1-2 million VND / month from harvest of natural fish and shrimp.
The current rate of mangrove coverage in households has risen to over 30% compared to the total area of cultivated land. Thanks to the protected mangroves, crab farming environment has been stable. Decomposed leaves from mangroves are a natural source of feed for crabs; the shade of the mangroves provide crabs with shelter when the weather is hot; their roots are the shelter and natural habitat of crabs.
The project has helped raise awareness of the community about the importance and practicality of mangroves for shrimp and crabs, and the role of forest protection for the mitigation of climate change.
The project has helped to create jobs for idle workers, especially women through the restructuring of production and application of scientific and technical advances.
The project participants have been equipped with knowledge and skills. They have shared experience and helped each other in developing sustainable and effective economic models. Also, through the project, the link between the local authorities and people has been enhanced.
It is very important to choose the right households meeting the requirements of the project. A participating household had to be substituted by Tra Vinh University's experimental farm in Truong Long Hoa Commune, because the household members did not actively comply with crab farming techniques as required.
It is necessary to do more research in what rate of mangrove coverage is suitable for the polyculture model in aquaculture.
Truong Long Hoa , Duyen Hai, Tra Vinh, Vietnam
1st Apr 2014 to 31st Mar 2015
VND 400,480,000
TRA VINH UNIVERSITY
Representatives Contact: Pham Tiet Khanh
Address: No. 126 Nat. Highway 53, Ward 5, Tra Vinh City, Tra Vinh Province.
Telephone: (84743) 855 246