Launch of the Aqua Xanh Project in Cà Mau Province on May 8. — Photo courtesy of the organiers
Cargill and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation have launched Aqua Xanh, an initiative to reduce water pollution by promoting sustainable aqua farming practices in the Mekong Delta.
Over the next two years it seeks to build climate resilience in Cà Mau Province aligned with Cargill’s global sustainability goal of enabling water positive impacts across its operations.
Climate change poses a serious threat to the delta, with saline intrusion up rivers, unpredictable weather patterns and prolonged droughts and floods.
These force unsustainable practices to compensate for lost yields, creating a vicious cycle.
Water pollution emerges as a major consequence, posing grave threats to aquaculture and jeopardising the livelihoods of communities that depend on it.
The project aims to address these challenges by promoting sustainable water and waste management by the aquaculture industry.
To run from May 2024 to July 2026, the project is piloted in Cà Mau, the largest shrimp farming area in the country, before expanding elsewhere.
The project has the objective of training over 300 aquaculture farmers in ASC requirements, input feed management, waste management, and biodiversity practices, with 10 of the best to become trainers subsequently.
The project will also reach over 1,000 community members to build environmental awareness and help achieve its goal of creating a climate resilient aquaculture industry in Việt Nam.
Maxime Hilbert, country director, Cargill Aquaculture and Nutrition Vietnam, said: “Cargill is proud to collaborate on this transformative initiative, merging environmental stewardship with economic prosperity.
“By reducing water pollution and strengthening resilience to climate shifts, we are moving toward Cargill’s global goal of training and providing market access to over 10 million farmers by 2030.”
Aru David, regional director, ASSIST Vietnam, which has been working on sustainable development challenges in Việt Nam since 2007, said: “For the Aqua Xanh Project, we are strong advocates for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council standard because of its focus on responsible practices, particularly in water quality and waste management.
“We are empowering Mekong Delta farmers and safeguarding the environment for future generations."
Assoc. Prof. Phạm Thanh Liêm, head of the faculty of aquaculture technology, Cần Thơ University, said: “By working closely with Cargill, ASSIST and local communities, this project has the potential to establish a new paradigm for responsible aquaculture in the Mekong Delta.” — VNS