Brian Jeffrey
During a conference on September 21 focused on recovery efforts after the recent storm, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Phung Duc Tien, highlighted the significant damage caused to aquaculture and livestock farming, two pivotal sectors in Vietnam’s agricultural development.
Early evaluations revealed that the storm and resulting floods led to the loss of 22,808 livestock animals and more than 3 million poultry in five severely impacted provinces: Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Hanoi, and Thai Nguyen.
Furthermore, aquaculture farmers from the northern regions, ranging from Quang Ninh to Nghe An, reported damage surpassing 23,500 hectares of fish farming areas, with 4,592 fish cages and nets lost. The total financial repercussions for the aquaculture industry alone are estimated to exceed 2.5 trillion VND.
In light of these considerable losses, officials from the Livestock Production and Fisheries Departments recommended support measures to assist farmers in recovery, including delaying debt repayments and offering restoration assistance. A noteworthy proposal came from Do Linh Phuong, CEO of DBLP, who suggested that farmers affected by the storm consider transitioning to seaweed cultivation.
Phuong pointed out that many farmers faced total losses and lacked the financial resources to return to aquaculture. Seaweed farming presents a low-cost alternative that avoids the need for feeding and has minimal initial investment requirements.
To support the shift, DBLP has committed to supplying 1 million seaweed seedlings, enabling affected farmers to quickly start seaweed farming. Seaweed, recognized as a superfood, has potential uses in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biodegradable plastics.
Research shows that seaweed can absorb CO2 at rates up to five times higher than forests in equivalent areas. Certain varieties, like kelp, can absorb CO2 at rates up to 20 times greater. Cultivating seaweed on just 1 square kilometer can capture around 1,500 tons of CO2, positioning seaweed farms as an important strategy for carbon capture and combating climate change.
To assist farmers’ recovery efforts, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has allocated nearly 85 billion VND for the fisheries sector, 79 billion VND for livestock, and 2.4 billion VND for veterinary services, sourced from various organizations and businesses.
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien confirmed that these funds will be distributed transparently and effectively to ensure that support reaches those in need. He emphasized that with collaborative efforts from government bodies, businesses, and farmers, the agricultural sector, especially aquaculture and livestock, is expected to rebound quickly.
Tam An
