The status of aquaculture in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam: Sustainable production and combined farming systems

Abstract

The Mekong Delta of Vietnam is a region rich in aquatic resources with high potential for aquacultural development. Aquaculture in the Mekong Delta is often practiced in combination with other agricultural activities such as animal husbandry and rice cultivation, and is an important factor in improving living standards among impoverished farmers. In addition, the conversion of unproductive rice land to the alternative farming of marine shrimp-rice production is expanding rapidly and helping to raise income levels of farmers engaging in rice production. Other examples of aquaculture systems are also discussed. © 2002, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.