IPRS - IN POND RACEWAY SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION IN VIETNAM TO HELP FRESHWATER FISH FARMS TO OVERCOME PRODUCTION ISSUES AND DRAMATICALLY INCREASE YIELDS

The In Pond Raceway System (IPRS) or Intensive Pond Aquaculture (IPA) technology was developed initially at Auburn University.  IPRS is a technology package designed to allow dramatic increases of yield from ponds without increasing volume, based on water flowing constantly in an internally constructed raceway and the overall pond in a predictable manner.  The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) then brought this technology to Vietnam to help freshwater fish farms in northern Vietnam area to overcome production constraints (for example lack of water resources, mortality issues and  low yields).

Feedback from the Vietnamese aquaculture industry has been very positive. As of January 2018, there were over 100 IPRS cell unit constructed. Farmers will be able to achieve production yields from the IPRS technology that is over two to three times that from traditional pond culture approaches (37.5 MT of fed fish production per cubic hectare of water compared to 7-10 MT of fish production per hectare of pond area). This is mainly accomplished through better water quality management including constant aeration using an airlift system and physical waste removal. USSEC has a suggested standard technology package approach that should be followed and closely worked with farmers to help them for proper application.