Located beside the vast Son La hydroelectric reservoir, Muong Khieng commune is blessed with over 1,030 hectares of tranquil water – an ideal condition for developing cage fish farming. Taking advantage of this, in recent years, local people have boldly transformed their production model, making aquaculture a key economic sector.

Escape poverty by raising fish.

According to statistics, the entire commune currently has more than 700 fish cages, of which more than 400 are managed and operated by members of cooperatives. In the first six months of 2025, the production of farmed and harvested fish in the locality reached more than 550 tons – a figure that shows a significant step forward in the scale and productivity of cage fish farming in this area.

Established in 2020, the Muong Khieng Aquaculture, Fruit Tree Cultivation and Comprehensive Services Cooperative has quickly asserted its role as a "leading force" in the development of the collective economy in the locality.

Cage fish farming is generating high income in Muong Khieng (Photo: BSL).

With 46 members and over 400 fish cages, the cooperative not only helps people organize production systematically but also proactively access markets, build brands, and apply technological advancements in practice.

Mr. Quang Van Hop – Director of the Cooperative – shared: “Previously, people mainly raised fish in cages in a spontaneous and fragmented manner, so the efficiency was not high. Since the establishment of the Cooperative, we have received guidance on farming techniques, support in building VietGAP processes, creating traceability labels, and obtaining business licenses… Thanks to this, the output is more convenient, and the selling price is higher and more stable.”

To ensure a market for their products, since 2021, the cooperative has partnered with traders in Hanoi to purchase fish directly from the farms. Each fish cage yields approximately 300 kg per year, with a selling price of 110,000 – 150,000 VND/kg, bringing in an income of 100 million to over 500 million VND per year for each member household.

The story of Mr. Quang Van Sam – a resident of Ban Xa village and a member of the cooperative – is a clear example of the effectiveness of cage fish farming. His family currently owns 15 fish cages, yielding over 3 tons per year. In addition to industrial feed, he also utilizes agricultural by-products such as cassava and corn, combined with catching natural aquatic products to reduce costs.

Links are the key to success.

"Every year, after deducting expenses, my family earns over 150 million VND in profit. Thanks to the fish cages, we no longer have to work far from home. Our children receive a full education, and our house is much more spacious than before," Mr. Sam shared.

Besides helping hundreds of households escape poverty, cage fish farming has also created hundreds of local jobs, leading to the development of supporting industries such as processing, transportation, and seafood logistics services.

The successes of cooperatives in general, and the cage fish farming model in Muong Khieng in particular, cannot be mentioned without acknowledging the important role of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and the Son La Provincial Cooperative Alliance.

From 2022 to the present, dozens of training courses and technology transfer sessions on cage fish farming have been organized by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and the Son La Provincial Cooperative Alliance for cooperative members. A series of trade promotion programs, fairs, and support for brand building, packaging, and traceability labels have also been systematically implemented.

Joining cooperatives helps fish cage farmers increase their income, contributing to poverty reduction in the locality (Photo: BSL).

In particular, after the 2023 Cooperative Law officially came into effect, cooperatives like those in Muong Khieng have benefited from policies providing access to preferential loans, aquaculture insurance, and support for responding to epidemics. This has been a "lifeline" helping people invest with peace of mind and avoid risks when natural disasters and epidemics occur.

In parallel, programs such as "Agricultural Products to the City" and "National Cooperative Fair" organized by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance also help Muong Khieng cage-farmed fish products have the opportunity to be widely promoted, reaching e-commerce platforms and modern retail systems.

Future direction

Despite achieving many positive results, cage fish farming in Muong Khieng still faces numerous challenges. The number of cages is increasing rapidly, while the market remains unstable, prices are volatile, and the links between production, processing, and consumption are still weak.

Accordingly, the agricultural sector of Muong Khieng commune is actively encouraging cooperatives and people to improve the quality of breeding stock and adhere to proper care and disease prevention procedures. At the same time, the commune is coordinating with specialized agencies, cooperatives, and businesses to build a consumption chain, gradually bringing Muong Khieng cage-farmed fish products into supermarkets and large restaurants.

One of the key solutions is to promote on-site processing of farmed fish, such as filleting and vacuum packaging, which helps increase value and expand the market, especially in the context of consumers increasingly favoring clean, traceable products.

Notably, according to the province's plan, in the coming time, cooperatives in Muong Khieng will be supported in digital transformation, applying software for managing farming and aquaculture, online sales, and transparent production data. In addition, a model combining ecotourism and experiential fishing in cages is also being researched and implemented, creating additional livelihoods and attracting tourists to Muong Khieng.

“We dream of a day when Muong Khieng cage-farmed fish products will not only be sold domestically but also in international markets. To achieve this, we must continue to maintain close links between farmers, cooperatives, businesses, and the government,” affirmed Mr. Quang Van Hop, Director of the Muong Khieng Aquaculture, Fruit Tree Farming and Comprehensive Services Cooperative.

From a poor rural area on the banks of the Da River reservoir, Muong Khieng is now gradually asserting its position as a key aquaculture region of Son La province. This success stems not only from the determination of the people but also from the coordinated efforts of the local government, cooperatives, and especially the close cooperation of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and the Son La Provincial Cooperative Alliance.

The journey to "awaken the reservoir" is still long, but what is happening in Muong Khieng is a prime example of cooperative economic development, leveraging local resources, gradually eradicating poverty, and moving towards a more sustainable future for the people of the Northwest mountainous region.