Starting a business with frogs and crickets.

Instead of simply raising frogs and crickets for commercial purposes like many other farmers, Phan Thanh Phong, from Chau Thanh district, has been experimenting with and applying advanced processing methods to enhance the value of his livestock. This innovative approach helps young people make a good living from farming.

Raising crickets has helped Mr. Phong diversify his products and increase his income.

Initial success

Born into a farming family, Phan Thanh Phong was passionate about farming from a young age. However, to change his life sooner, he decided to work abroad. With the capital he had saved and the experience he had accumulated, he decided to return to his hometown to start his own business.

In 2019, Mr. Phong started his business raising crickets and frogs. He began by gathering information from newspapers and television, starting with a mere 6 square meters for both raising frogs and crickets. Through hard work and learning, after four years of struggle, Mr. Phong now owns a 4,000 square meter facility for raising these two species.

Phong confided: “I experienced many failures. At one point, my entire workshop was ruined, resulting in financial losses. I had to go through a lot of experience over a long period before achieving success in the last year or so. Back then, I was working alone. When I succeeded and became a member of the Youth Union, I started introducing other young people to similar ventures and partnered with them to secure enough raw materials for the products.”

What's unique about Mr. Phong's business model is that he sells both crickets and frogs, creating more choices for consumers. Here, the crickets are raised in cages for processing, selling as a commercial product, and also as food for the frogs. The frog farming area is right next to the crickets, below them, making efficient use of space and following a scientific approach.

Taking the prepared cassava shoots to put into the cricket enclosure, Mr. Phong explained: "For crickets used in food processing, we have to raise them according to a special formula we've researched, and we can manage the origin. The crickets we raise here are called egg crickets; you can't find them elsewhere. Each farm has its own techniques; they raise them differently than we do. When we process products, we have to research our own breeding methods and nutrition."

According to Phong, from the very beginning of his experiment, he meticulously studied even the smallest details of frog farming techniques, from feed to care regimens, to ensure effectiveness. Utilizing readily available crickets, Phong used them to supplement the nutrition of the frogs in his farm. This natural source of nutrition resulted in better-tasting frog meat compared to industrial feed.

“In the market, people raise frogs for about two months before selling them. My farm also raises them, and traders are very interested in this type of frog. But for processing, we raise frogs for about six months or more, resulting in better quality meat. We process and supply them to the market ourselves. Customers who have used them have given very positive feedback on the quality,” Phong added.

Wanting his product to gain wider recognition and to find a new direction for himself, Phong boldly registered to participate in the 3rd Hau Giang Province Startup Competition in 2023 and received many positive responses. For Phong, this was a great encouragement to help him stay confident on the path he had chosen.

Future plans

At Mr. Phong's farm, many product lines are currently popular with customers. Introducing his products to the reporter, Mr. Phong's eyes radiated happiness and pride: "I currently have many types of frogs. Commercial frogs include frozen frogs, dried frogs, and pre-marinated frogs. As for crickets, I'm producing cricket eggs. Currently, I produce frozen crickets, processed and marinated crickets, used in many dishes such as deep-fried, salads, and many other dishes."

By proactively sourcing his own raw materials and collaborating with two local households, Phong, despite his current modest scale, doesn't have to worry about supplies. However, this young farmer plans to expand his business and increase the number of collaborating households as it grows.

“We sell processed crickets in boxes, each box containing 1kg for 200,000 VND. 1kg of fresh crickets yields about 700-800 grams of finished product. As for frogs, there are various price ranges; processed and canned frogs cost around 260,000 VND per kg. We also have frozen fresh frogs. This product is only pre-processed and then frozen. Currently, we mainly sell live frogs to traders,” Phong happily shared.

Reportedly, Phong's products are currently sold through regular customers who are gradually being introduced to wholesale buyers. His future plans include researching and developing higher-quality products, registering for packaging and food safety certifications, and bringing them to market and supermarkets, thereby diversifying consumer choices and boosting his family's economic well-being .

Starting a business, regardless of the field, is never easy, and it's even more challenging in agriculture, requiring experience, capital, and a passion for farming. Phong's story is proof of the youthful energy and courage to think outside the box and take action, developing his family's economy while creating jobs for local workers. Above all, it contributes to inspiring the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of the province's youth.

Text and photos: MONG TOAN

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