Leveraging local experiences for community resilience
From 15-18 March 2023, ACI Agrolink conducted a study tour to Ca Mau province, where the DFCD is also supporting Camimex in developing climate-resilient mangrove shrimp production in the Mekong Delta.
The DFCD supports sustainable shrimp farming in the Ganges Delta
The Ganges Delta of Bangladesh, one of the largest deltas in the world with a dense network of rivers and tributaries. The fisheries sector contributes about 3.57% of the national GDP, with Bangladesh being the fifth largest aquaculture producing country in the world. Aquaculture makes up most daily protein requirements. However, the fisheries sector is affected significantly by climate change, in the form of temperature extremes, salinity intrusion, sea level rise, etc.
The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) is supporting ACI Agrolink to develop a Climate Resilient Sustainable Shrimp Value Chain in Bangladesh, which is expected to lead to climate change resiliency in this landscape. The project will achieve this by providing technical assistance for current shrimp farming technique such as pond preparation, specific Pathogen Free post larvae support, introducing new farming methods and micro-financing models, developing contract farming models, engaging in capacity building, and the establishment of robust backward linkages.
Learning from local experiences
Both the Mekong Delta and the Ganges Delta, share similar climate challenges and opportunities. As part of knowledge sharing, ACI Agrolink, from Bangladesh, visited Ca Mau province, where meetings were held with other DFCD partners, such as Camimex, and time was spent in the Delta to see farmer models currently applied in Vietnam. In this way the DFCD can support cross-country linkages and climate solutions between the Deltas. The visits were held from March 15th – 18th.
ACI Agrolink and SNV visited the Tan Hong Cooperative to discuss with the Cooperative’s Leaders on the current farming practices. The Bangladesh and Vietnamese team exchanged knowledge of extensive and super-intensive shrimp farming, how the cooperative operates with its members, the productivity along the whole shrimp value change.
Meeting with Tan Hong Cooperative
Top row, from left: Trinh Minh Thien, Shoyeb Mahmud, Aminul Moven, Chau Van Chin, Alex Downs, Nguyen Minh Tuan. Bottom row, from left: Tran Thanh Giao, Tran Van Ty, Le Dinh Huynh, Mai Thanh Hung, Nguyen Minh Thang, Dao Viet Nga, Cao Ngoc Trinh
The team then visited two farming models. One operates an extensive model, which is close to natural shrimp farming and does not use industrial feeding nor chemical compounds. The other is the super-intensive model, which requires more equipment, such as pond bottom oxygen, aeration, automatic feeding machine, etc., thus requires more investment.
The team also visited Camimex Processing factory to see the processing procedure of raw shrimps, from the stage of raw material receiving until the packaging. One meeting between ACI Agrolink and Camimex’s Leaders was organized for knowledge sharing between the two countries and discussing the possible collaboration areas in the future.
“It was wonderful to learn that how farmers are utilizing their knowledge, skill and resources best to maximize shrimp production. The government, farmers associations, shrimp processing companies, input companies, and other market players collaborate to advance the shrimp industry which eventually increases farmer resiliency” Md. Aminul Moven, Program head agribusiness ACI..
About ACI Agrolink
ACI Agrolink Limited is a subsidiary of ACI Limited (1992), one of the leading conglomerates in Bangladesh having a strong presence in Agribusiness (Agriculture, Aquaculture, & Livestock), Pharmaceuticals, FMCG and retail sector. ACI Agrolink Limited aims to establish forward and backward linkage for shrimp farmers and agro value addition industries. ACI Agrolink Limited is positioning the business through penetrating an integrated safe food category and tapping into global trade operations that promote an efficient distribution channel for safe and healthy food for the consumers of Bangladesh. For more information, please visit this website.
About Camimex
Camimex was established in 1977 as the first shrimp processor in Ca Mau province, the capital of shrimp producers in Vietnam. Since 2000, it became one of the world’s earliest producers to be certified in the whole supply chain, by Naturland and IMO for organic shrimp. Camimex is now Vietnam’s leading supplier of organic shrimp. Camimex’s vision is to become the leader in the organic shrimp farming system, through their sustainable value chain: from farming, hatcheries, processing, and sustainable markets. For more information, please visit this website.