Japanese sea grape (Caulerpa lentillifera) was first cultivated in Vietnam 20 years ago, mainly in Khanh Hoa province. Sea grape cultivation has become a route to prosperity for many people in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa due to increased demand for the product in Vietnam and overseas. Besides economic benefits, sea grapes can improve the aquaculture environment quality since they develop quickly, have strong anabolism and high nutrition uptake. They can be grown while cultivating shrimps and fish – this intercropping allows two to three times higher income compared with shrimp or fish cultivation alone. The province currently has 70 – 80 hectares cultivating sea grape with a total output of 2,500 tonnes per year. Each sea grape grower can earn around 7.5 – 10.5 million VND (295 – 412 USD) each month, a stable income with average investment cost.
Source: Vietnam News Agency
