Taking advantage of the cool climate and pure water source of Then Theo Ho stream in Si Lo Lau commune, since 2008, Vang Ma Chai Border Guard Station has deployed a model of raising salmon and sturgeon. These are two fish species with high economic value, but also require strict living conditions, so the unit has organized a farming area located at an altitude of 1,600m above sea level, with water temperature maintained at a stable level of 14 to 19°C all year round, suitable for growth characteristics, creating clean, firm, delicious fish meat products.

Major Nghiem Anh Tuan, an employee of the Mass Mobilization Team, in charge of the production increase team of Vang Ma Chai Border Guard Station, said: “The unit's fish farm has been renovated and expanded from 10 to 13 tanks, with a total water surface area of ​​about 600 square meters. Due to the colder water source compared to other places, the fish farming time lasts an average of 10-11 months before harvest, about a month longer than usual. Every year, we supply the market with about 3 tons of salmon and 2 tons of commercial sturgeon.”

The school of fish is carefully taken care of by soldiers of Vang Ma Chai Border Post ( Lai Chau Provincial Border Guard). Photo: TUAN ANH

The fish farming system used by the farming team uses a pressure tank method, with the process of leading water from the stream to the central filter tank to remove waste and dirt, then distributing it to each farming tank. Each tank has an independent drainage system, does not reuse old water, helps control the quality of the water environment, and limits the risk of disease in the fish. Fish are classified according to each growth stage, when they reach a weight of about 2 grams/fish, they will be released into small tanks for soldiers to easily monitor and care for. When they reach about 20 grams/fish, the fish are transferred to tanks of 30 to 35m² to ensure growing space. Officers and soldiers of the farming team are trained in technical skills, regularly monitor and check water quality to maintain the most ideal living conditions for the fish.

Despite the obvious effectiveness, the unit's fish farming model still faces many difficulties such as: The infrastructure system is not yet synchronized, some ponds have been built manually over many years; in the dry season (from March to May every year), the water source decreases, the farming team must calculate and regulate the appropriate amount of water to maintain a stable living environment for the fish; in the rainy season, there is a potential risk of flash floods, landslides, which can cause direct damage to the fish farming area...

Checking the health of salmon to proactively prevent and control diseases. Photo: TUAN ANH

According to Lieutenant Colonel Truong Thai Binh , Head of Vang Ma Chai Border Guard Station, one of the important goals of the sturgeon and salmon farming model is to gradually transfer techniques and support local people in developing their livelihoods. Up to now, many households in Si Lo Lau commune and neighboring communes have followed suit, expanding fish farming on an increasingly large scale. The average price of salmon and sturgeon on the market ranges from 190,000 VND to more than 300,000 VND/kg, helping farmers earn a profit of 30-40% compared to the investment capital.

The salmon and sturgeon farming model not only demonstrates the spirit of initiative and creativity in economic development and improving the lives of soldiers stationed at the border, but is also a vivid demonstration of the effectiveness of the Border Guard's mass mobilization work, contributing to expanding the livelihoods of people in the border areas of the Fatherland.

LE HIEU

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/mo-hinh-nuoi-ca-hoi-ca-tam-o-bien-gioi-tay-bac-846583