Ninh Binh strictly manages clam farming areas for export

Several years ago, Kim Son's clam products were mainly consumed in the domestic market and shipped to China with unstable prices.

In 2020, Ninh Binh's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development cooperated with Thanh Hoa Fishery Import-export JSC and Kim Son farmers to implement a project on the  linkage chain of ASC-based clam farming in Ninh Binh.

Under the project, clam farmers have been provided with breeding techniques and methods of controlling environment conditions in order to eliminate risks during farming and to increase effectiveness.

After two years, 839 hectares of clam farming in Kim Son district has been awarded the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certificate.

Right after receiving the ASC certificate, all clam farmers have followed a standard process of breeding, harvesting and consumption. Thanks to these efforts, the quality of clams has been ensured and they have been sold with higher prices than that of other regions.

Tran Kien Cuong, Deputy Director of Kim Son clam cooperative, said the ASC certificate is valid for three years. Foreign experts will pay unscheduled visits to inspect clam farms, hence clam farmers must strictly follow the process and regulations in farming to avoid the risk of ASC withdrawal.

Ninh Binh has set a target of expanding clam farming to 1,500 hectares with an annual output of 35,000 tonnes, and 100 billion small clams for breeding by 2025.

To fulfill this target, the provincial People's Committee has directed the People's Committee of Kim Son district and relevant units to zone off clam farming areas and encourage clam farmers to apply advanced technologies in order to produce quality clams for breeding.

Besides, the province also increases  inspection and supervision, and strictly handles violations in clam farming; closely monitors environmental conditions to promptly inform to clam farmers.

It continues to maintain the monitoring programme in order to help clam farmers retain the ASC certificate and to expand new clam farms in the coming time to supply for both domestic and foreign markets.

Translated by Nguyen Thuy