Contrasts in flood season livelihoods in the West

The flood season in the fields of the West is also the time when people start fishing. However, due to the late and decreasing amount of water each year, aquatic resources have decreased. This affects the income of people who specialize in fishing in the wild.

Although it is the season for fish to move from the fields to the rivers, Mr. Nguyen Van Nuoc (Vinh Hau commune, An Phu district, An Giang province) is still sad because of the small amount of fish. "The flood is low, the fish are few, even less than at the beginning of the season. These past few days, I have only been able to catch (harvest) 2-3kg/day. Moreover, the price is cheap, selling for less than a hundred thousand dong," said Mr. Nuoc.

Mr. Nuoc's disappointed face when the long net did not catch any fish.

At this time, most people can only catch small fish, goby fish, and catfish, while the most valuable fish, loach (about 180,000 VND/kg), is very rare. The image of Mr. Nuoc disappointed when he could only catch a small goby fish.

Close-up of a tiny catfish caught in a net.

Also in the field where Mr. Nuoc spreads his net to catch fish, there is a model of fish farming and storage during the flood season. "Seeing people raising fish during the flood season, the fish grow quickly, I am interested. I really hope to receive capital support and technical guidance in the future to convert like them," said Mr. Nuoc.

Through research, this fish farming model was implemented by the Flood Season Fish Farming Model Cooperative Group (Vinh Hau Commune) from the capital of the Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project (WB9) invested by An Giang Province and the Central Government in 3 communes on the East bank of the Hau River. This is the second year the model has been implemented.

This year, the Cooperative raises 4 fish cages and expects to harvest 1 ton of catfish and 500kg of perch after 3 months.

"Using the source of trash fish from the flood season as bait mixed with industrial food, we stock high-value fish such as catfish and perch. Because they are raised in good water sources, the quality of the fish is the same as that of wild fish. In addition, from the surplus food in the 4 cages, we also attract fish from the natural environment to live there. Because the 4 cages are arranged on dry ditches, when the flood recedes, all of these wild fish will be trapped. This is a significant additional source of income. Last year, after deducting expenses, we made a profit and lived well, and we hope this year will be the same," said Mr. Nguyen Chi Linh - Head of the Cooperative Group.

WB9 project supports farmers with seeds, nets, farming techniques, etc.

Mr. Dang Van Thang - Vice Chairman of Vinh Hau Commune People's Committee - said: "The pilot model to help people adapt to the flood season has shown encouraging signs. We expect many farmers to flexibly apply and innovate similar models to earn a living in the following years, continuing to receive support from the agricultural sector on storage techniques."

"Like many localities in the upper Mekong River, most of the livelihoods of people in An Phu district depend on aquatic resources during the flood season. When the flood from upstream gradually decreases and is later than the natural law, it also means that the economy is narrowing... From the WB9 project, we continue to train people, provide effective models, and equip them with basic knowledge. Thereby helping people understand and develop ideas for economic development to adapt to changes in floods," said Mr. Phung The Vinh - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of An Phu district.