Ca Mau: The rice-shrimp model as a path to sustainable poverty reduction

From hardship to stability

What was once a life of hardship and scarcity has been transformed, with local communities lifting themselves out of poverty through this climate-resilient rice-shrimp model.

In previous years, Mr. Huynh Van Huong from Vinh Loc commune in Ca Mau followed traditional rice farming practices, which required excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. The results, however, were consistently poor. "The rice harvest was often just enough for us to eat. The costs were high, and there was hardly any profit. Our family's life was always a struggle", Mr. Huong recalled.

This year, with support from the Ba Dinh General Agriculture Cooperative, Mr. Huong switched to cultivating the OM18 rice variety on his shrimp pond. After more than 20 days of sowing, the rice is thriving without the need for additional fertilizer or pesticides, and pest issues are almost nonexistent. In the pond below, black tiger shrimp and giant freshwater prawns are developing well, thanks to a timely influx of saltwater.

"Thanks to joining the cooperative and receiving technical support, my family's production is easier and costs less. We also have the added income from the shrimp. I'm confident our family will be stable and won't have to worry about running short anymore", Mr. Huong said enthusiastically.

Established in 2018, the Ba Dinh General Agriculture Cooperative began with 44 members and 150 hectares of land for the rice-shrimp model. Today, it has grown to over 280 members and more than 700 hectares, with a charter capital of around 300 million VND and actual contributed capital exceeding 516 million VND. This model, which alternates between two shrimp crops and one rice crop, improves soil quality while yielding high economic returns.

Mr. Nong Van Thach, the cooperative's director, noted, "The cooperative currently offers 16 different services to its members and the local community. With the rice-shrimp model, members are earning a profit of 60 to 100 million VND per hectare per year. As a result, many households that were previously struggling have escaped poverty, and some have even become quite prosperous".

The cooperative also manages the sale of black tiger shrimp and giant freshwater prawns, in addition to supplying members with farming inputs. The clean, safe produce is well-received in the market, eliminating concerns about securing buyers. "The cooperative's goal is to expand our acreage and membership, so more farmers have the chance to improve their income and achieve sustainable poverty reduction", Mr. Thach added.

A sustainable model for climate change adaptation

According to Mr. Dang Thanh Thuong, Secretary of the Vinh Loc commune Party Committee, more than 8,000 hectares in the commune now use the rice-shrimp model. He describes it as a key strategy for poverty reduction, environmental improvement, and climate change adaptation.

In addition to key rice varieties like ST24, ST25, Mot bui do, Dai Thom 8, and OM18, the local agricultural sector is also experimenting with new, salt-tolerant varieties like purple rice and CXT30, which are better adapted to harsh weather conditions.

Mr. Thuong noted that the rice-shrimp model not only boosts farmers' income but also helps restore the soil. "Vinh Loc commune is guiding farmers to use the dikes around their ponds to grow vegetables and is promoting organic rice cultivation to create diverse livelihoods that lead to sustainable poverty reduction”.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province, the total rice-shrimp area in the province is around 93,000 hectares, with over 40,000 hectares dedicated to ecological and organic rice farming. The province has successfully established hundreds of hectares of "fragrant rice - clean shrimp" production that meet international standards such as ACS, BAP, and GlobalGAP. Furthermore, the agricultural sector is focusing on transferring advanced techniques and building brands to enhance value and ensure sustainable production.

Many products from this model have received OCOP (One Commune One Product) recognition with 3- to 4-star ratings, creating opportunities to build a brand for clean agricultural products. In the future, giant freshwater prawns raised in rice paddies will also be included in the OCOP program and widely promoted at domestic and international trade fairs.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, stated that in the coming period, the province will focus on developing clean shrimp and rice cultivation, linked to brand building. "Once our agricultural products have a foothold in the market, farmers' incomes will become stable, creating a solid foundation for sustainable poverty reduction and wealth creation”.

The reality on the ground shows that the rice-shrimp model has not only helped numerous households in Ca Mau escape poverty but has also become a sustainable livelihood for tens of thousands of farmers across the province. Farmers are no longer solely dependent on rice but have a dual income from shrimp, helping them balance their household finances.

With a coordinated development strategy from the provincial to the grassroots level, and the partnership of cooperatives, the rice-shrimp model is proving to be a viable path to sustainable poverty reduction for farmers and is solidifying Ca Mau's position in developing climate-resilient, nature-based agriculture.