The Quiet Achiever: A Farmer’s Simple Ways Reap Him a Fortune

In recent years, many farmers have found success in fish farming. A notable example is Tran Van Dung, a 43-year-old man from Nam Phuc Thang commune, whose life has been transformed by farming barramundi.

Dung’s journey began in 2005 when he started working as a hired hand for several fish farming models in Hai Phong City. After gaining experience, he returned to his hometown to start his own venture.

Sharing his secrets to successful fish farming with the Ha Tinh newspaper, Dung said, “I realized that this model offers high economic value, and I could utilize the water resources near my home in the Nhượng river estuary. So, I decided to return to my hometown and start my business.”

Initially, he experimented with two cages, containing 1,000 fingerlings each. After 5-6 months of rearing, the fish thrived in the natural conditions and reached a weight of 0.8-1 kg each. The market for barramundi was very favorable, offering high profits, so Dung continued to focus on this species.”

Dung’s hard work and practical experience in following the proper procedures paid off, and his barramundi cages flourished. Encouraged by his initial success, he boldly expanded his operation, which now spans … [please provide the current scale of his operation]

“By ensuring technical requirements, my fish always grow well and attain a high quality that is trusted by customers,” Dung excitedly shared. “They are sold at stable prices ranging from VND 180,000 to 200,000 per kg, depending on the time of year. On average, I sell over four tons of barramundi annually, generating a revenue of VND 750-800 million. After deducting expenses, my net income exceeds VND 350 million.”

With nearly 20 years of experience since he started fish farming, Dung is open to sharing his wealth-building secrets with fellow farmers. He advises that barramundi thrives in brackish water near the coast and in river estuaries. As a high-value fish species, it is crucial to select fingerlings that are either captured from the wild or raised in a brackish water environment.

Experienced farmers like Dung can choose smaller fingerlings priced at VND 9,000 each to reduce initial costs. However, for those seeking a more assured option, larger fingerlings priced between VND 15,000 and 20,000 each are available.

According to Dung, the ideal time for spawning barramundi is from March to July since there is less rain during these months, and the water salinity remains stable, reducing the risk of disease and heat stress in the fish. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, shrimp, and crabs, which are easy to source and do not require much effort to feed.”

Inspired by Dung’s success, many households in Vinh Phuc village have ventured into barramundi farming in cages at the Nhượng river estuary. One such individual is Tran Van Khoa, a 44-year-old man who received guidance and technical advice from Dung. In late 2020, Khoa invested nearly VND 200 million in five cages and fingerlings.

“With Dung’s support, my family felt confident about this venture,” Khoa shared. “Currently, we have a stable income from barramundi farming. On average, I sell 2.5 tons of fish annually, earning a profit of nearly VND 200 million. Going forward, I plan to expand to seven cages to increase my income and maximize the advantages of the brackish water source.”

According to the households, barramundi is typically farmed from March to July to ensure a year-round supply. In Vinh Phuc village, 19 households are engaged in barramundi cage farming, with each household maintaining an average of five cages, resulting in an annual income of approximately VND 200 million. As the fish are reared following proper technical procedures, they are always in high demand among customers, and there is no issue with excess inventory.

To ensure the sustainability of barramundi cage farming, the villagers benefit from preferential policies such as low-interest loans and product promotion. In late 2023, the Nam Phuc Thang Commune Farmers Association established the “Multivalued Brackish Water Aquaculture Professional Association” to foster a spirit of cooperation and facilitate the exchange of technical knowledge and experience in aquaculture, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.

Also, in Ha Tinh, Phan Danh Dinh has achieved substantial income through his model of rearing fingerlings, earning billions of VND annually.

Phan Danh Dinh shared with Dan Viet, “Coming from a farming background, life was a constant struggle. In 2009, I decided to take a leap of faith and utilize my family’s land to build pig and cow pens and dig ponds for fish farming. After deducting all expenses, my income from selling fingerlings exceeded VND 500 million.”