ASSESSMENT OF TECHNICAL STATUS AND FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY OF FARMING WHITE CLAM (Meretrix lyrata) ON TIDAL FLATS IN CA MAU AND VINH LONG PROVINCES

Abstract

The result of the survey were conducted among white hard clam farmers in Ca Mau and Vinh Long provinces to to assess the technical status and economic efficiency of the clam farming model. In Vinh Long, the farming model is organized through cooperatives, whereas in Ca Mau, it is conducted through groups or individual households. The survey results revealed significant differences in technical aspects: the average farming area in Vinh Long is 106.55 ± 82.23 ha, with a stocking density of 167 ± 50.56 clams/m², a seed size of 1,218.18 ± 292.64 clams/kg and an average farming duration of 16.46 ± 4.93 months. In contrast, the households in Ca Mau have smaller farming areas of only 23.75 ± 14.49 ha, a stocking density of 402.08 ± 198.42 clams/m², a seed size of 2,641.67 ± 729.21 clams/kg and a farming duration of 13.7 ± 3.2 months. The clam farming model on tidal flats in Ca Mau achieved higher productivity at 34.65 ± 19.13 tons/ha/crop, generating a profit of 577.27 ± 388.51 million VND/ha/crop and a profit ratio of 4.06 ± 2.43 times, all of which were higher compared to Vinh Long (16.51 ± 4.73 tons/ha/crop, 289.39 ± 136.81 million VND/ha/crop and 2.53 ± 1.25 times, respectively). Additionally, the study also showed major difficulties arising from farming practices both in Ca Mau and Vinh Long provinces, including climate change, water quality, pathogens and a shortage of high-quality clam seeds and recommendations to develop white hard clam farming in the Mekong delta provinces in a sustainable direction.