Workshop on “Catfish Sludge Utilization” at Can Tho University

On April 18^th 2012, Can Tho University (CTU) held the workshop on “Catfish Sludge Utilization” at the hall of College of Aquaculture and Fisheries. Participants at CTU’s side were A/Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong – Dean of College of Aquaculture and Fisheries; CTU researchers and lecturers working on treating and utilizing catfish sludge and related staff. The workshop was also honored to welcome researchers who have currently worked for projects in partnership with Dat Lat University and Kasetart University in Bangkok, Thailand; leaders from Thanh Binh Fisheries Extension Station and farmers who have applied catfish sludge in growing vegetables and fruits in the districts of Thanh Binh and Chau Thanh in Dong Thap Province; and representative of fisheries managers from Nam Vang Company in Vinh Long Province to share their real experiences and problems, as well as their ideas related to dealing with catfish sludge.

The workshop on “Catfish Sludge Utilization” at the hall of College of Aquaculture and Fisheries of Can Tho University

Towards the trend of the internationalization and integration in business and economy, Vietnam “peak” export fields and branches in general, aquaculture and fisheries in particular, have been archiving great advantages to develop further, but they have faced with certain difficulties. The exporters and researchers in Vietnam have been aware of the vital importance of product quality to protect consumers, and thus they have been cooperated together to search out the solutions to assure the best product quality. In the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, Can Tho University has a great importance role in collaboration with the exporters and farmers in the region to find out the best solutions and applications for products of aquaculture and fisheries. It is nourishing with great and endless efforts for the objectives to strengthen the product quality to the best, enhance the consumers ‘belief and thanks to the belief, increase the export capacity of aquaculture and fisheries products to the global market with high standards and strict demands, especially the European market.

A/Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong – Dean of College of Aquaculture and Fisheries of Can Tho University introduced the SEAT Project and the objectives of the workshop

The workshop “Catfish Sludge Utilization” as part of SEAT Project (Sustainable Ethical Agriculture and Trade) hosted by College of Aquaculture and Fisheries – Can Tho University has found out the direction for the treatment and utilization of catfish sludge in order to limit and eradicate the bad impacts to the environment: using the sludge to fertilize the vegetables and fruit trees. According some research reports presented at the workshop, the use of catfish sludge in growing vegetables and trees contribute to reduce the cost of chemical fertilizers, but still keep the good productivity of the crop and fruits, at the same time increase the farmers’ income. Other research reports were related to recycle the sludge to make powdered or granular organic fertilizers, as well as compost to balance the components of nutrients in the sludge for planting. Also, the successful model of composting sludge was introduced to the workshop by an expert researcher working with projects from Da Lat University. Besides, farmers who are applying the sludge in their crops came and shared their real application’s results and gave their expectation and ideas.

The workshop has opened a new path to deal with sludge but it has also given out new challenges:

- Which methods and solutions can help reduce the water amount in the sludge, how to gather the sludge in a hole to easily dump it out and in order to store and compost the sludge conveniently to serve it as fertilizers for growing trees and vegetables?

- Further research to apply the composting model, its economic efficiency for aquaculture and fisheries farmers and planting productivity and profitability
 

Researchers reported presented their research results related to sludge at the workshop

 

Farmers shared their real application’s results in using sludge in growing vegetables and fruit trees and gave their expectation and ideas.

 

Mr. Paul Olivier, researcher in partnership project with Da Lat University, introduced the successful model of composting sludge at the workshop

(Information and Network Management Center)