DEVELOPING A SHRIMP SUPPLY CHAIN QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

Abstract

The implementation of a shrimp quality management system requires clearly defined rules and standards, the establishment of an appropriate shrimp control system, and the provision of proper training services. In the shrimp supply chain, the processing/export firms are generally the most powerful stakeholders, playing a leading role in organizing chain quality management. It is vital for small-scale shrimp farmers to develop business relations with processing/export firms through flexible contract farming. To develop a well-organized shrimp supply chain, it is crucial to encourage small-scale farmers to develop horizontal coordination among farmers. Small-scale shrimp farmers are aware of the importance of proper shrimp disease prevention and shrimp disease treatment as well as changing the production practices to upgrade the commercial shrimp quality (by reducing anti-biotic residue violation). However, they need more training and extension services to assist them. The willingness to invest in advanced farming system such as such as certification application of Viet-GAP is high among the farmers who are aware of the potential improvements. This paper focused on the quality management pratices in the shrimp supply chain.