Several households in Tra Vinh province in southern Vietnam have begun implementing an integrated farming approach wherein tilapia and shrimp are raised using the same facilities.
The approach entails the integrated farming of tilapia and whiteleg shrimp on a rotational basis within an area no greater than one hectare and reusing existing resources such as water to reduce costs and prevent disease outbreaks, particularly among shrimp.
The project proponents estimate that up to 300,000 shrimp and 700,000 tilapia can be farmed within the same one-hectare space, resulting in potential profits of up to VND500 million (US$19,000).
Local agriculture officials said that tilapia farming would provide local households an opportunity to implement product diversification amid the volatility in the price of shrimp, associated environmental risks and shortages in black tiger shrimp seed.
Tilapia are also less dependent on water conditions compared to shrimp. Because tilapia consume organic waste and leftover feed, this reduces the risk of pollution and the spread of certain bacteria in water, allowing water used in tilapia ponds to be reused later in shrimp ponds.