In March 2024, the DeltaVax project; a collaboration between the Netherlands and Vietnam, was launched with an ambitious vision: to pioneer sustainable aquaculture in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta by introducing innovative technologies, improving fish health and welfare, and building resilience across the aquaculture value chain. Let’s take a look at its first year of implementation, where the project has achieved significant milestones.
Beeld: DeltaVax/Fresh Studio
Building Capacity and Infrastructure
Training of Trainers (ToT) program.
A key achievement of the first year was the successful completion of the Training of Trainers (ToT) program. Twenty-five staff from extension centers, including officials from local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development were trained in cutting-edge aquaculture practices, including: Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), indoor larvae & nursery production, fish health and welfare, water quality and microbiome management, qPCR diagnostics and vaccination techniques, and feeding and nutrition.
By equipping extension staff with these skills, DeltaVax ensures that advanced knowledge and practices can be implemented effectively to the wider farming community. This enables them to support farmers who are currently facing numerous challenges including poor productivity, disease outbreaks, climate change and other environmental challenges.
Training of Trainers (ToT) program.
The training included a mix of theoretical and practical training where the extension team were encouraged to participate in practical sessions such as fish vaccination to give them the practical skills to support farmers. The team also participated in further practical training at Fresh Studio’s R&D facility in Can Tho province. Here, the staff participated in fish health sampling, artemia decapsulation and accurate larvae counting procedures.
Study on Fish Welfare – a new concept in Vietnam
Towards the end of year one, the DeltaVax partners conducted a survey into the consumer and farmer perceptions of fish welfare, as well as the market and regulatory perspective. Despite fish welfare being a relatively new concept in Vietnam, the study among consumers highlighted that 82.5% of respondents understood the principles of fish welfare and 80% of respondents were interested to learn more about the subject.
The report highlighted the status of fish welfare in Vietnam as well as the potential benefits, while also detailed the challenges, in particular, the lack of understanding and financial barriers. Interestingly, many farmers reported that premium prices should be achieved for fish that meet strict welfare requirements.
Demonstration Farms Established
Three demonstration farms have been set up, one indoor and outdoor nursery as well as two grow out farms, each designed to showcase modern aquaculture innovations. The indoor nursery will showcase how culturing pangasius fry under controlled conditions and modern technology including RAS, microbiome monitoring and disease diagnostics can improve productivity, resulting in higher quality, more robust fish. Once the fish reach a suitable size and are strong enough to handle conditions outdoors, they will be transferred to nursery ponds where they will be grown until around 15 grams and vaccinated to protect them against the two most serious pathogens. Vaccination at this stage provides up to a 90% protection rate against MAS and 70% against BNP in clinical laboratory studies, significantly enhancing survival rates and e productivity and profitability for farmers.
Demonstration farms
Internship Program with Can Tho University
Students working with DeltaVax project.
DeltaVax has launched an internship program in partnership with Can Tho University. Three students from Can Tho University have begun working with the DeltaVax project to help set up and manage the demonstration farms. In doing so, they gain hands-on experience and receive mentorship from international aquaculture experts—nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals in the sector.
Looking Ahead: Strong Start for a Sustainable Future
Transitioning into the second year, DeltaVax will move into full-scale operations at the demonstration farms. These sites will become hubs of activity for learning, innovation, and collaboration. DeltaVax will host a series of Demonstration Days to highlight technologies and services offered by project partners. And with the infrastructure and training programs now in place, the Farmer Training Program will be launched. The project will also collaborate with the Empower Youth4Food initiative to engage and inspire young people in the Mekong Delta through exciting career opportunities that aquaculture sector has to offer.
By equipping stakeholders at every level with the tools and insights needed to succeed, the DeltaVax project contributes to not only improving aquaculture practices today—but also shaping a more sustainable, resilient future for the Mekong Delta’s aquaculture sector.
About DeltaVax
The DeltaVax project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing the pangasius and broader aquaculture sector in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The project is funded by the Impact Clusters subsidy scheme from the Netherlands, which aims to develop the private sector in developing countries. The project is implemented within three years, from 2024-2026, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, with special focus on An Giang, Ben Tre and Can Tho Provinces.
DeltaVax project showcase at Mekong Delta Business Forum 2024
Under the Impact Cluster program, knowledge, expertise and technology from Dutch or international companies, knowledge institutes, trade organisations and NGOs are brought together in a consortium (cluster). The objective of the Impact Cluster program is to facilitate the development and growth of the private sector in developing countries while ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth and a decent standard of work for all.
Discussion around Triangle Disease by DeltaVax during the Aquaculture Business Forum in November 2024.
Beeld: © DeltaVax
DeltaVax project launch in March, 2024.
DeltaVax features a consortium of esteemed Dutch, Vietnamese, and international partners, including Fresh Studio (the Netherlands), PHARMAQ (Vietnam), Can Tho University (Vietnam), De Heus (the Netherlands), Alpha Aqua (Denmark), and Kytos (Belgium).
The DeltaVax project seeks to significantly enhance the knowledge, skills, and technology access within Vietnam’s aquaculture sector.
The primary goals include:
- Capacity Building: Establish a “train the trainers” program, alongside a coaching service, to elevate the expertise of Vietnamese farmers, equipping them with the necessary skills for modern aquaculture practices.
- Technological Access: Facilitate Vietnamese farmers’ access to cutting-edge technologies such as aquatic vaccines, qPCR disease diagnostic tools, and advanced water treatment solutions.
- Innovation and Sustainability: Introduce groundbreaking technologies like Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) to foster sustainable aquaculture practices.
- Fish Health and Welfare: Enhance vaccination practices within the sector to reduce disease prevalence and curtail the reliance on chemicals and antibiotics.
Contact
Do you have any questions for the Agriculture Department at the Netherlands Embassy in Vietnam? If so, please send an email to HAN-LVVN@minbuza.nl. For the latest updates, news, funding opportunities and more, follow our LinkedIn Netherlands Agricultural Network in Vietnam.