Turning reservoir waters into a livelihood

Residents of Boi Hamlet, Bach Xa Commune, affectionately call Ma Van Giang “Mr. Giang the fish farmer” because he has spent years tending cages of grass carp, bagrid catfish and red tilapia in the reservoir of the Song Lo 6 Hydropower Plant. From two trial cages in 2021, his family has expanded the model to 12 cages, generating a stable source of income.

Mr. Giang regularly inspects the fish cages to promptly detect any abnormalities in the fish stock.

After completing his military service in 1993, Giang returned to his hometown with little capital. His family took on various livelihoods, growing rice, cassava, tea, oranges, acacia and falcataria trees, as well as raising livestock. Seeing that some local households were earning good incomes from cage fish farming on hydropower reservoirs, he began learning how to build cages, select fingerlings, care for fish, prevent diseases and find markets for the products.

In 2021, Giang invested in his first two fish cages. During the initial seasons, his lack of experience in reservoir cage farming led to disease outbreaks, with losses reaching 20–30% at times. Rather than giving up, he attended training courses, learned from experienced fish farmers and applied what he learned to his own cages.

He also sought to reduce feed costs by making use of cassava leaves, grass and chopped banana stems, using commercial feed only when necessary. Every day, he checks the water quality, fish health, feed intake and any unusual signs so that problems can be addressed promptly.

After years of learning through hands-on experience, the cage-farming model has proved highly effective. Each year, his family sells about 15 tonnes of market-size fish, generating revenue of VND450–500 million and a profit of approximately VND180–220 million after expenses. Combined with livestock raising, fruit growing and forestry, the family earns around VND300 million a year.

Beyond developing his own household economy, Giang actively shares his experience and helps other local residents take up cage fish farming. To date, more than 10 households in Boi Hamlet have developed similar models.

As head of the local Veterans Association branch, Giang has also helped members access preferential loans, with outstanding loans totaling more than VND300 million, and mobilized members to contribute working days to support disadvantaged households. As a result, three veteran households have escaped poverty, while four others have risen to become better-off households, and the branch no longer has any members classified as poor.

For his contributions to economic development and support for fellow veterans, Giang was presented with a Certificate of Merit by the provincial Veterans Association for outstanding achievements in the “Veterans Helping Each Other Escape Poverty and Develop the Economy” emulation movement for the 2021–2026 period.

Mai Dung