Boosting Cambodia's Aquaculture: FARDeC's Innovative Approach to Fish Farming

The Freshwater Aquaculture Research and Development Centre (FARDeC), under Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, is significantly bolstering the country's aquaculture sector by producing tens of thousands of fish hatchlings. Young fish bred by FARDeC have exhibited higher survival rates and faster growth compared to those in the wild, a success attributed to the center's specialized feeding program. Meng Sothai, head of FARDeC, highlights that the fish from the center also yield better quality meat than imported farmed fish, thanks to advanced breeding techniques.

FARDeC's primary objectives are threefold: conducting research on freshwater aquatic species production, focusing on endangered local species and those with high economic value; breeding new fish for release on National Fish Day or distribution to farmers; and building capacity and knowledge on fish breeding.

Khim Finan, undersecretary of state and spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, notes that Cambodia has 61,727 aquaculture households, employing 106,522 people. The ministry advocates for the adoption of more efficient technology and hygiene principles to further enhance the industry's productivity and sustainability.