Expanding the model of raising specialty livestock.

Recognizing market demand, in recent years, many households in the province have boldly invested in livestock farming systems, learned from experience in applying science and technology, and developed a diverse range of specialty livestock. This has contributed to building effective agricultural production models and increasing people's income.

Civet farming model in Tho Tan commune (Trieu Son district).

Thanh Hoa currently has 2.47 million specialty livestock raised by over 1,000 licensed households. Besides popular species like goats, wild boars, rabbits, and turtles, many households have recently ventured into raising new species such as bamboo rats, porcupines, civets, and crickets, which have high economic value.

In Binh Son commune (Trieu Son district), Mr. Lo Van Quyen, a civet cat breeder, said: "Civet cat meat has high nutritional value, is sweet and tender, so it is very popular in restaurants. However, civet cats are wild animals, so when people first start raising them, they will face many difficulties. They have to spend time learning from experience, thoroughly understanding their characteristics and how to care for them. I had to go through the procedures to apply for a breeding permit and contact reputable establishments in Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Thai Nguyen ... to find quality breeding stock. In addition, it is necessary to invest in building cages in a cool, airy area with a sloping concrete floor to facilitate drainage and regularly clean the cages to prevent the civets from getting sick. Besides, with their wild and aggressive nature, the cages need to be built sturdily and surrounded by iron mesh to prevent the civets from escaping." According to Mr. Quyen, civet cats are omnivores, prefer bananas, eat at night, and sleep during the day; Female civets give birth three times a year, with each litter containing 3 to 4 offspring. The price of civets varies depending on the stage of development, ranging from 10 to 45 million VND or more per pair.

It is known that in Trieu Son district, many models of raising specialty animals such as New Zealand rabbits, bamboo rats, frogs, crickets, mudless eels, pigeons, civets, etc., have been widely implemented. Most households are conscious of implementing disease prevention and control measures, raising animals in a biosecure manner, investing in building sturdy barns, ensuring environmental hygiene, and proactively seeking markets for their products.

Undeniably, the economic benefits of raising specialty animals are significant. However, the reality is that this type of livestock lacks a stable market, depending on the time of year and attracting a niche market. Without a clear sales strategy, the economic efficiency is low, even leading to losses. For example, in Thieu Hop commune (Thieu Hoa district), before 2018, nearly 170 households raised turtles in combination with softshell turtles, a model that generated substantial income for breeders. However, in recent years, most products have been exported to the Chinese market, leading to dependence on the market and frequent instances of "bumper harvest, low prices." The price of softshell turtles has plummeted, while the number of marketable turtles and hatchlings has increased, forcing many households to reduce their herds or sell their breeding stock at low prices to cease production. On the other hand, raising specialty animals is competitive because of their rarity and scarcity, but when they become popular and supply exceeds demand, the product will face many difficulties in terms of sales, especially for new farmers who have not yet recovered their capital...

Raising specialty livestock can be highly economically effective if there is a stable market and scientific and technical training on care, disease prevention, and treatment. Therefore, before raising livestock, people should carefully consider the market demand for their products. Local authorities need to support and guide people to raise livestock suitable to their conditions, avoiding impulsive and haphazard approaches where high prices lead to a surge in breeding stock prices, while low prices lead to a reduction in herd size, resulting in shortages. At the same time, livestock farmers need to proactively connect with livestock technology transfer units, research reliable suppliers of quality breeding stock, and implement measures for disease prevention, biosecurity, and environmental protection.

Text and photos: Le Ngoc

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhan-rong-mo-hinh-nuoi-con-dac-san-217817.htm