Farmers face lack of capital in Mekong Delta

Though the tra fish prices have risen to their highest ever of VND25,000 (US$1.204) a kilogram, production is marred in the Mekong Delta as input costs skyrocket and farmers lack capital to continue production. Fish farmer Vo Van De in Thuan An Ward of Thot Not District in Can Tho Province said that the current tra fish prices were like a dream for farmers but a lot of them were short of capital to invest further into farming.

During the last two years, fish farming has faced many obstacles which led several banks to withdraw their loans or stop giving further loans, he said. Duong Thi Dep from the ward said that in 2009 her family bred nearly 200 tons of tra fish in which they suffered a loss of VND1.5 billion (US$71,000). She subsequently had to sell all her property to pay back mounting debts. Since 2010, the tra fish prices have increased and Ms Dep approached the banks for a loan but was denied. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.