Xa Ngoc Hung, Director of Da Giang Eco Cooperative in Tien Phong commune, Da Bac district, expands cage fish farming model for economic efficiency. 

In 2018, after graduating from university and returning to his home village, seeing the great potential of raising caged fish in the reservoir, Hung and his family decided to invest in this farming model. 

With an eagerness to learn and diligence, he reaped initial success in the first year. Then, Hung partnered with seven others to establish a cooperative which owns 40 cages and raises fish in line with VietGAP standards. 

Each year, the cooperative supplies the market with about 20 tonnes of various types of fresh fish at prices ranging from 80,000 to 100,000 VND (3.13-3.92 USD) per kg. In addition to fresh fish, it also sells some processed fish products such as fried fish, dried fish and grilled fish at some food stores in Hanoi. The cooperative creates regular employment for eight workers and seasonal jobs for many others. 

To access other provinces and supermarkets in cities as well as to participate in agricultural e-commerce trading floors, it is necessary for the cooperative and its members to strictly adhere to production processes, ensuring food safety. They also need support to join trade promotion programmes and introduce products at exhibitions to popularise its clean fish brand. 

The cooperative currently has three products recognised as meeting 3-star One Commune, One Programme (OCOP) programme’s standards, namely Da River black lentil fish (hemibagrus), Da River black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), and Da River naked catfish (Cranoglanis bouderius). 

Bui Van Anh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tien Phong commune, said in the coming time, local administration will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies, social organisations to provide guidance and support to young people, especially those of ethnic minorities, to access preferential loans for developing economic models. 

Due attention will be paid to communication work and building startup movements, multiplying efficient models which inspire enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication of the youth in the socio-economic development and poverty reduction in their homeland, he added.