HANOI, Oct 18: Vietnam’s aquaculture industry is embarking on an ambitious plan to raise its annual exports to 2 million tons and revenue to $2.5 billion by 2010, according to the Ministry of Fisheries.

The programme for aqua-culture development, covering the 1999- 2010 period identifies technology to be implemented in production and environmental protection to achieve the goals.

Modernization of breeding facilities will be implemented gradually, with appropriate attention paid to raising fish and shrimp in all water regions.

Under the programme, producers and exporters will be encouraged to hone their competitive edge by improving products quality and lowering production costs. Different tastes in domestic and overseas markets will be taken into consideration.

The programme outlines a rise in the area allocated to raising giant tiger prawns to 260,000ha by 2010, which is predicted to pull in an annual $1.4 billion from exports.

While giant prawns, a product preferred by foreign markets, will be raised in some 32,000ha of fresh water. Output is expected to reach 60,000 tones a year.

The ministry is encouraging research institutes and scientists to create high-yield fish and prawn hybrids, and preserve local stocks which are resistant to diseases and tolerant of rigorous climatic conditions.

The ministry said it would invest in equipment for the safe transport of fish fry and baby shrimp from nurseries to breeding grounds.

The industry will also have to modernize the production of high-quality, low-cost feed for fish and shrimp, to meet 60 per cent of the country’s aqua-culture demand in 2005 and then 80 per cent by 2010.

The ministry plans to spend more money on irrigation canals, fishing ports and markets, and pumping stations catering for fish and shrimp breeding.

The ministry will hold training courses for farmers on the application of advanced breeding techniques and effective use of foreign and international assistance in this field.— VNS/Asia News Network