Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions through AI Application Solutions in Shrimp Farming
Vietnam's aquacultural sector is implementing a wide range of solutions to fulfill its sustainability commitments, with a particular focus on aquaculture. Many businesses have proactively invested in Industry 4.0 technologies to transform production methods toward greater sustainability, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.
The shrimp farming model using AI technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In recent years, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing climate change by pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Vietnam has joined key agricultural initiatives such as the "Global Methane Pledge" and the "Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land use", which play a vital role not only in promoting low-emission agricultural development but also in laying the groundwork for a sustainable green economy in the future.
Notably, Vietnam's agricultural sector is implementing a wide range of solutions to realize these commitments, with a particular focus on aquaculture. Many enterprises have proactively invested in Industry 4.0 technologies to transform production methods toward greater sustainability, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.
Aligned with the green production trend, the development of clean farming areas and raw material zones, many domestic enterprises have boldly invested in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for water environment management. These efforts aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and antibiotic residues in shrimp farming. A prominent example of such innovation is TOMGOXY, developed by RYNAN Technologies Vietnam JSC.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh My, Chairman of RYNAN Technologies Vietnam JSC, shared his insights: "The shrimp farming industry in Vietnam faces significant challenges, including water pollution, disease outbreaks, and the overuse of chemicals, which not only impact product quality but also cause substantial harm to the natural environment. Producing one ton of shrimp requires up to 0.5 hectares of land, 6,000–9,000 cubic meters of water, and emits approximately 10.5 tons of CO2. Of this emission, 50% originates from energy used in aeration systems, 30% from feed, and 16% from biological activities in the ponds."
AI-powered solutions for water environment management help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and antibiotic residues in shrimp farming.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh My shared that it took the company’s team of engineers 18 months to design a new model for intensive shrimp farming processes. Advanced technologies have been integrated into this model, including oxygen enrichment equipment, automated feeders, and biological control devices to minimize pollution. The TOMGOXY model offers an innovative, comprehensive solution (digital-physical-chemical-biological), enriching oxygen through oxidation with pure oxygen to create optimal conditions for shrimp growth.
A standout feature of this model is the integration of the RYNAN Mekong app, a mobile application that allows farmers to monitor and control factors affecting shrimp health and water quality directly from their smartphones. The smart feeding system operates in three modes: manual, automatic, and AI-assisted. By utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, it optimizes daily feed usage, reducing costs and saving up to 20% on feed.
Shrimp farmed under this model are fully traceable, meeting food safety standards, making the products suitable for export to demanding markets such as the United States, Europe, and Japan. The model reduces energy consumption from 5,000 kWh to 2,000 kWh per ton of shrimp, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions from energy use. Its ultimate goal is to achieve carbon neutrality, thereby not only increasing the export value of shrimp but also ensuring easier access to premium markets with more cost-effective production.
This model eliminates the use of paddlewheel aerators or bottom aeration systems, instead utilizing pure oxygen supply systems extracted from air. This approach increases dissolved oxygen levels in the water and reduces electricity costs by over 70%. With dissolved oxygen concentrations exceeding 10 ppm, shrimp grow faster, experience less disease and stress, and thrive in cleaner water, resulting in lower water treatment and replacement costs.
Dr. Thanh My Nguyen - Chairman of RYNAN Technologies Vietnam
Through the mobile application, farmers can interact with smart farming devices, monitor environmental parameters, and manage shrimp farms more economically. The system’s database is equipped with updated programs for feed management, care schedules, disease control, biosecurity, disease prevention protocols, harvest planning, and post-harvest management.
By applying these technologies, the risk of diseases is significantly reduced, while shrimp farming productivity increases, enhancing the overall production value for farmers. With a total area of 1.4 hectares comprising four ponds (each 1,000 m²), this model can yield approximately 100 tons of commercial shrimp annually.
Over the past four years, the high-tech shrimp farming model using white-legged shrimp has been adopted by many farmers in Tra Vinh, yielding high economical benefits. The average production reaches 30–40 tons per hectare per crop, which is five times higher than traditional intensive shrimp farming models.
According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh My, in the face of intense competition, products can quickly become outdated, and designs are easily copied. Therefore, the company has decided to allocate at least 2% of its annual revenue to research and development activities, aiming to stay ahead of the curve and maintain exclusivity in branding as well as control over product pricing. To date, the company holds over 600 patents related to products in high-tech industrial and agricultural sectors, along with digital transformation solutions in aquaculture.
Huong Lan