Blue Revolution in Asia: The Rise of the Shrimp Sector in Vietnam and the Challenges of Disease Control

Abstract

AbstractThe aquaculture sector has grown rapidly over the last two decades, particularly in Asia, providing a larger share of seafood for human consumption than capture fisheries. It has received attention for its contribution to poverty reduction and nutrition improvement for the poor. In this essay, we illustrate the brief history of the development of the aquaculture sector in Asia and present a case of the shrimp sector in Vietnam, one of the largest exporters in the global market in recent years. We show how the sector has developed, particularly in relation to rice production, using nationally-representative household-level data. We then examine a persistent challenge faced by the sector, the frequent occurrence of disease outbreaks, based on our analyses using primary data and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Specifically, we consider the role of spillovers among farmers and the importance of quantifying unobserved qualities in promoting the adoption of good practices. The effectiveness of digital technology in this area is discussed.