Linked chain models help pangasius farmers cut losses and get rich

Avoiding losses thanks to the linked chain

While pangasius farmers in the Mekong Delta are facing the situation of "the more they farm, the more they lose," the farming households in the Chau Thanh Aquatic Services Cooperative in An Hoa Islet, An Nhon commune, Chau Thanh district, Dong Thap province, still maintain a profit of VND 500-1,000/kg of fish. This success is due to the model of linking with Co May Lai Vung Co., Ltd., which ensures stable input and output for the farmers.

According to Mr Nguyen Thanh Binh, Director of the Chau Thanh Aquatic Services Cooperative, this linked model fully utilizes the local advantages, such as favourable water sources from the Tien River and the long-standing fish farming experience of the cooperative's members. The enterprise supports 100% of the feed for the entire farming season, with capital recovery after harvest, while also ensuring stable output through contracts for purchase.

At this time, most pangasius farmers in the Mekong Delta are facing losses, while the investment cost for 1kg of fish is currently between VND 28,000 - 29,000/kg, and when selling below cost, it is only VND 27,000 - 27,500/kg. This means farmers are losing more than VND 1,000/kg, but Chau Thanh Aquatic Services Cooperative is still surviving, albeit with small profits.

Many benefits from the cooperative

Upon joining the cooperative, members not only receive support from the enterprise but also from the Chau Thanh Aquatic Services Cooperative itself. One of the notable benefits is a 6% discount on the total value of feed invoices, along with interest-free loans to help with short-term capital.

The cooperative also encourages its members to apply advanced farming standards such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and HACCP, which help reduce production costs and improve fish quality. As a result, the pangasius from the cooperative always meets export standards, ensuring profits for the farmers.