Cottonii has been known as profitable commercial seaweed...
Cottonii has been known as profitable commercial seaweed grown by many residents in Cam Phuc Bac Ward, Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province. Cottonii is a species of red alga, one of the important commercial sources of carrageenans, a family of gel-forming polysaccharides.
Tran Van Vinh, Hoa Do 3 Quarter, Cam Phuc Bac Ward says, “I have grown cottonii for 10 years. It has proved to be a good means of livelihood.”
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| Cottonii has been successfully farmed in nets. |
According to Vinh, cottonii farming does not require high investment, so it is suitable for average households. An initial capital of some VND14 million is needed for the production of 2 tons.
A harvest interval is about 45 days. Vinh has just harvested 60 tons of fresh seaweed or 7 tons of dry seaweed which is priced at VND17,000/kg. He has just made a profit of VND100 million from 3 harvest intervals.
The similar thing has also happened to farmers named Le Van Hoang, Hoa Do 4 Quarter and Vi Thanh Hung, Hoa Do 3 Quarter.
Nguyen Thanh Tam, Deputy Chairman of Cam Phuc Bac Ward Farmers’ Association says, “Cottonii farming industry has developed well for 10 years in Cam Phuc Bac coastal area where 17 families have involved with over 25 ha.
The production can bring a harvest of 60 – 80 tons per ha in favorable conditions. Farmers can earn VND80-100 million/ha. Reportedly, cottonii is exported for processing as carrageenans used in pharmaceutical formulations and cosmetics.
Besides, it is used in a variety of commercial applications as gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agents, especially in food products.
A cottonii processing plant is under construction in Phan Rang - Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province with a capacity of 6,000 tons/ year. Cottonii farming industry needs boosting to assure sufficient material supply.
When the plant is put into operation, hopefully, the southern central region will be a successful cottonii farming sites, bringing great cash-earning opportunities to local residents.
N.T
