The Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu aims to expand Artemia (brine shrimp) farming from 200 hectares to 500 hectares, mostly in coastal localities by 2020, according to local authorities.

More than VND 17 billion (USD 765,000) will be invested in infrastructure facilities, technology transfer, breeding and marketing, said Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Duong Thanh Trung.

Photo for illustration: thuysanvietnam.com.vn

Focus will also be put on establishing cooperatives and expanding consumption for the product, Trung said.

According to Cao Thanh Van, Chairman of the Artemia Vinh Chau – Bac Lieu Cooperative, there are 140 Artemia farming households in the province, with a combined areas of nearly 200 hectares, up nearly 50 percent from last year.

A three-month crop of Artemia can produce between 100 – 150 kg of eggs per hectare breeding Artemia, generating some VND 40 million-50 million (USD 2,250) for farmers.

Artemia eggs can be used to feed aquatic species, particularly young shrimp.

Artemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans, known as brine shrimp. It can tolerate varying levels of salinity, suitable for the coastal province of Bac Lieu. Atermia eggs are mostly shipped to European nations and Japan, Thailand and Turkey, Van said.

Source: VNA