Dare to change, find new directions.
The family of Mr. Vu Duc Tho, in Tan Tien village, is one of the pioneering households in developing the snail farming model in Bac Quang commune. Recognizing that his family's rice fields and ponds were not being utilized effectively, in 2024 Mr. Tho boldly invested in renovating 0.5 hectares of rice fields and water surface to raise commercial snails and produce snail hatchlings. Initially, due to a lack of experience, caring for and managing the water environment presented many difficulties. However, through technical training courses and learning from successful models inside and outside the province, he gradually mastered the farming process. Mr. Tho shared: “Snails are suitable for the local natural conditions, their main food source is vegetables and aquatic plants, so the cost is low, and the output is quite stable with an average selling price of 70,000 VND/kg of commercial snails. From the sale of snail hatchlings and commercial snails, the family earns an average of 600-700 million VND per year.”
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| The snail farming model of Mr. Vu Duc Tho's family in Tan Tien village has yielded high economic efficiency. |
Besides developing snail farming, many households in Bac Quang commune are also utilizing their garden and hillside land to develop earthworm farming. This is considered a suitable direction in developing circular agriculture , utilizing livestock by-products, and reducing environmental pollution. A prime example is the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Van in Minh Thang 2 village, who maintains over 400 m² of earthworm breeding pens. The main food source for earthworms is buffalo and cow manure and readily available agricultural by-products. After processing, the worms grow rapidly, producing a large amount of biomass for poultry and aquaculture farming. Ms. Van said that in addition to selling commercial earthworms, her family also supplies earthworm fertilizer to organic farming households in the area. This is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that helps improve soil, reduce production costs, and enhance the quality of agricultural products. Importantly, since starting earthworm farming, livestock waste is processed more effectively, providing the family with additional income while significantly reducing environmental pollution.
According to Comrade Hoang Quang Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Quang commune, the development of new economic models has helped people change their production mindset. Instead of relying solely on traditional crops and livestock such as rice and corn, many households have proactively sought out and applied advanced techniques, exploiting existing advantages to improve economic efficiency per unit area.
Formation of commodity economic zones
Along with maintaining and gradually expanding the models of raising snails, earthworms, pigeons, chickens, and free-range pigs, with suitable climate conditions, fertile land, and abundant labor resources, the mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming industry is gradually being restored and developed in the commune with over 20 hectares.
Ms. Le Thi Lan's family in Tan Lap village currently maintains nearly 1 hectare of mulberry trees for silkworm farming. Previously, this area was mainly used for growing corn and other short-term crops, which yielded low economic returns. After receiving guidance and technical support from the local authorities, her family switched to mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming. Thanks to the correct application of technical procedures from mulberry care to silkworm rearing, cocoon production is stable, and the output is guaranteed by purchasing facilities. On average, the family sells 2 to 3 batches of cocoons per month, bringing in a considerable income. Ms. Lan said: Although mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming require meticulous care, the economic efficiency is much higher than previous crops. With good care, people can harvest year-round, creating a stable income for the family.
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| Raising earthworms has helped the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Van in Minh Thang 2 village continuously improve their living standards. |
In reality, models for raising snails, earthworms, and cultivating mulberry trees for silkworm farming not only bring direct economic benefits but also create linkages in agricultural production. Earthworm castings are used to fertilize mulberry trees, and by-products from agricultural production are utilized as animal feed, contributing to the formation of a circular production chain, reducing costs, and protecting the environment.
To ensure the effective development of these models, Bac Quang commune has intensified its efforts in disseminating information and mobilizing people to change the structure of crops and livestock; coordinating with specialized agencies to organize training and transfer scientific and technical knowledge; and creating conditions for people to access preferential capital sources to invest in expanding production. In addition, the locality encourages the establishment of cooperative groups and cooperatives to link production and product consumption. This is an important solution to help increase product value, limit small-scale production, and reduce market risks.
Thanks to the dynamism and creativity of the people, along with the support of local Party committees and authorities, new economic models are gradually proving their effectiveness. Many households have become well-off, with the means to invest in expanding production and creating new jobs. In the context of the agricultural sector moving towards green, sustainable development and increased added value, diversifying production models in Bac Quang is a suitable direction, contributing to the effective exploitation of land and labor potential while also creating momentum to promote the shift in the rural economic structure.
In the coming period, Bac Quang commune will continue to expand effective production models, encourage people to apply science and technology, and strengthen production linkages with product consumption. This will be an important foundation for the commune to build a modern agricultural sector, increase people's income, and promote socio-economic development in the coming years.
Text and photos: HOANG NGOC
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/kinh-te/202606/bac-quang-da-dang-mo-hinh-phat-trien-kinh-te-11126f7/
