Analysis of the factors influencing the quality of farmed mud crabs in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Abstract

Enhancing the quality of cultivated mud crabs is a crucial element for elevating productivity, quality, and economic effectiveness within the mud crab farming sector. This study investigates factors influencing the quality of farmed crabs in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The study employs descriptive statistical methods and synthesis approaches to analyse the current situation of crab farming in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Additionally, multivariate regression analysis was employed to identify factors affecting the quality of farmed crabs in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The survey results from 304 crab farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam indicate that the total area of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam is 465 thousand hectares, with a production of 68 thousand tons. Among the provinces in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, and Bac Lieu are the top three provinces with the highest area and production. Furthermore, factors influencing the quality of crab products during the farming process were analysed, and three main factors were identified: the decision to catch crabs at the fourth moult stage (Y4), the number of crab traps used, and the duration of the farming period. This research represents the first study on the quality of farmed crab in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Therefore, these findings provide guidelines for improving the quality of farmed crab and serve as a foundation for further research in this field