(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam’s southernmost province Ca Mau opened its first-ever shrimp festival on Sunday, which aims to promote its shrimp at home and abroad.
 A performance opens Ca Mau Shrimp Festival. Photo: VOV |
Ca Mau's shrimp output was 250,000 tons this year, worth 1.2 billion USD and accounting for 22% of Vietnam's shrimp export turnover.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the festival, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai said Vietnam's agricultural, forestry, and fisheries export turnover this year is estimated to be more than 53 billion USD, of which shrimp exports are 3.6 billion USD. Ca Mau alone contributed nearly 28% of shrimp .
Mr. Khai urged the agricultural sector, particularly in Ca Mau, to develop an agricultural ecosystem which includes the shrimp industry ecosystem.
“Efforts should be made to build a green economy and circular economy in agriculture to contribute to environmental protection and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Startups, innovation, and digital transformation should be promoted in agriculture, while diversifying export markets,” said the Deputy PM.
He insisted this a suitable strategic orientation for capitalizing on the potential, strengths, and opportunities of Ca Mau province and the Mekong Delta region.
During the festival, a forum was held to promote One Commune-One Product (OCOP) products in the Mekong Delta.
Ca Mau has taken advantage of its marine and forest resources to develop various sustainable farming models, such as combining shrimp farming with forestry or rice cultivation that meets ecological and organic standards.
Ca Mau shrimp products are now sold in 60 countries and territories. The four main markets are the US, Japan, the EU, and China.