On February 20, ASC certificates were granted to three cooperatives, namely Long Thanh, Tien Thanh, and Thanh Cong, covering a clam farming area of 440.3 hectares. This remarkable achievement marks the third instance where a clam farming area in Vietnam has successfully met the rigorous ASC standards, setting a significant milestone not only within Vietnam but also on a global scale.
The ASC certification is an internationally recognized accreditation that ensures responsible and sustainable practices in seafood farming, aiming to minimize negative impacts on the environment, ecosystems, and communities. It also guarantees adherence to good labor regulations.
Clams bearing the ASC certification command a higher price in the market, typically around 3-5% above the regular price. This price premium translates to an improved livelihood for more than 644 households, with an estimated income increase of 10-15%. Furthermore, the ASC certification serves as a passport for clam products to be exported to over 80 countries worldwide, while also providing a foundation for replicating sustainable farming models locally.
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The "Inclusive and Sustainable Clam and Bamboo Value Chains Development in Vietnam (SCBV)" project, initiated in 2018, has played a pivotal role in providing technical training and facilitating knowledge sharing in sustainable clam farming practices for cooperatives in Tra Vinh. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Oxfam in Vietnam, in collaboration with the International Collaborating Centre for Aquaculture and Fisheries Sustainability (ICAFIS), the Non-timber Forest Products Research Center (NTFPRC), and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).