According to Tra Vinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the black tiger shrimp farming area in such coastal districts of Duyen Hai, Cau Ngang, Tra Cu and Chau Thanh is around 20,000-21,000ha. In recent years, black tiger shrimp farmers have shifted to farm crab in the shrimp farming ponds.
In 2009, there are more than 10,000 households involved in stocking nearly 40.6 million of crab seeds in an area of 11,158ha, with an output of more than 6,000MT of market-sized crabs, valued at more than VND420 billion.
In the crab crop this year, 6,245 households in Duyen Hai district stocked 20.8 million of crab seeds in an area of 8,073ha, mostly farmed extensively and semi-intensively. Crab farming is developing rapidly in the communes of Dong Hai, Long Khanh, Hiep Thanh, and Truong Long Hoa.
Crab farming develops remarkably in Tra Vinh due to an abundant source of wild crab fry at the locality, lower production cost in comparison with black tiger shrimp farming plus lower risks and losses, short rearing period, and stable market price. Farmers can earn an average profit of VND10-15 million per ha.
Currently, the local fisheries sector is paying attention to assure crab seed quality, and transfer rearing techniques to farmers to raise economic efficiency. (VietFishNews)