The northern province of Son La has a total aquaculture farming area ofover 2,530 hectares, with output reaching 3,220 tonnes, said theprovincial Aquaculture Division.

Besides traditional freshwaterfish farming method, the province has also promoted sturgeon farming incages on the Son La hydropower’s reservoir.

With over 10,000hectares of reservoir water surface, Quynh Nhai district has encouragedand supported local households to try cage farming.

The districtnow has seven active aquaculture cooperatives and 218 fish cages incommunes of Chieng Bang, Muon Giang, and Chieng On. Chairwomanof Hanh Loi aquaculture cooperative Vu Thi Loi said as one of the firstunits to raise sturgeon in the province, the cooperative has invested in32 fish cages since 2011, selling about 10 tonnes of fish every year,mostly sturgeon and tilapia.

According to Chairman of Muong Ladistrict’s People Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong, the district is assistingethnic people living along the reservoirs to develop aquaculture byproviding fund under the government’s 30a programme.

To date, Muong La district has developed 125 cages, contributing to increase income for local people, he added.

SonLa has two big hydro power reservoirs, posing a great potential foraquaculture development, particularly cage fish farming.-VNA