ShrimpTech Vietnam 1.0: Pioneering Sustainable Shrimp Farming in the Mekong Delta

A Bold Step Toward Net-Zero Aquaculture

Launched in 2018 at the request of the Royal Dutch Embassy in Hanoi, ShrimpTech Vietnam 1.0 marked the beginning of a groundbreaking collaboration between Dutch expertise and Vietnamese shrimp farming communities. Supported by the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), this three-year initiative (2018–2020) aimed to tackle critical challenges in the Mekong Delta’s shrimp sector and set the foundations for a more sustainable future.

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Rising Challenges in Vietnamese Shrimp Farming

Despite being one of the largest shrimp producers globally, Vietnam’s shrimp sector faces mounting issues:

• Intensive farming practices have led to widespread disease, overuse of antibiotics, and pollution especially in the Mekong Delta.

• These practices have degraded ecosystems and forced the clearing of vast swathes of mangrove forests.

• Contaminated shrimp have even triggered import rejections in markets such as the Netherlands.

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ShrimpTech’s Vision: Sustainable, Eco-Efficient Production

ShrimpTech Vietnam 1.0 united a consortium of expert partners;  from probiotic innovators to feed producers and project managers, combining strengths across the value chain to transform shrimp farming practices:

• Tiptopp Aquaculture B.V. contributed eco-friendly probiotic solutions that enhanced water quality, reduced antibiotic dependence, and raised productivity.

• Other consortium members included ShrimpVet (health diagnostics), Topsy Baits (live bait feed), Sustainable Aquaculture Solutions (health & standardization), Nutreco/Skretting (sustainable feed), plus Larive International and OpenAsia as project managers.

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Action & Impact: Demonstration, Training & Alternatives

Over the course of the project, ShrimpTech Vietnam 1.0 delivered tangible outcomes:

• Farmers were trained in sustainable aquaculture techniques, improving both productivity and environmental resilience.

• Pilot demonstrations showcased alternatives to antibiotics and innovative wastewater treatments.

• Tiptopp’s probiotic protocols proved effective in stabilizing pond ecosystems, promoting shrimp health, and optimizing growth. In addition to this it also reduced reliance on chemical interventions.

• The consortium also helped align Vietnamese producers with international quality standards, paving the way for safer and more sustainable consumption and exports.

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Why It Matters for Tiptopp Aquaculture

As a key partner in this consortium, Tiptopp’s role in ShrimpTech Vietnam 1.0 underscores its leadership in sustainable aquaculture. Our probiotic solutions have demonstrated measurable benefits, boosting shrimp health, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and supporting transformational, eco-conscious shrimp farming practices.

This project illustrates our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and collaboration across borders. This continues to shape our vision for cleaner, more sustainable aquaculture globally.

Want to learn more about our probiotic solutions or see how they’re applied in practice? Feel free to reach out anytime!

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