Ha Dong farmers earn billions from bloodworms

flies (1) — People of Ha Dong commune begin to harvest earthworms.

From the wasteland to the "heavenly bounty"

More than a decade ago, many fields in Ha Dong were abandoned due to low-lying land, year-round flooding, and ineffective rice and vegetable cultivation. However, with the acumen and experience gained from their ancestors, the local people realized the great potential of this land for the exploitation of natural earthworms. From there, they gradually revived abandoned fields, improved the environment, proactively rented out land, invested in water drainage systems, and regulating sewers to create a suitable living environment for earthworms to develop.

Mr. Le Van Quat in Tu Y village said: “After each crop of rươi, people plow the land, plant another crop of organic rice or corn, then dry the field, sprinkle compost and rice husks to improve the soil. Rươi can survive thanks to a clean water source, a clean environment, and no chemicals. Therefore, we absolutely do not use chemical fertilizers, but only use compost, straw, and rice husks to keep the soil clean.”

This method has brought about clear results. The previously barren fields are now covered with earthworms every flood season. The Ha Dong earthworms are fat, even, fragrant and have a rich flavor typical of the alluvial plains along the river. Many households also combine natural clam farming in the earthworm fields, creating a closed production model that is both economically efficient and environmentally friendly.

flies (2) — The harvested rươi are bought by traders at the place.

In 2019, the Vinh Lap Cooperative for Conservation and Exploitation of Natural Crab and Sandworms, and Processing of Clean Agricultural Products was established, marking an important turning point in organizing production in a sustainable direction. The cooperative's Crab was later recognized as an OCOP product, opening up great opportunities in promotion and consumption. Products processed from Crab such as Crab rolls, Crab sauce, Braised Crab... are favored by consumers inside and outside the city.

Ha Dong commune currently has about 200 households participating in the exploitation of earthworms with a total area of over 60 hectares. Although the output at the beginning of the season is not high, it is expected that the whole commune will reach about 80 tons of earthworms this season. With an average selling price of 300,000 VND/kg, Ha Dong farmers earn about 25 billion VND/year.

Open trade

In the past, to bring the earthworms to the market, people had to carry baskets and go through muddy roads. Nowadays, convenient transportation has completely changed the appearance of the beach area. Thanks to local investment, the rural road system in Ha Dong is increasingly complete. Quang Thanh Bridge, put into use, has opened an important connection route between Ha Dong and the center of Hai Phong city, making the transportation and consumption of earthworms easier.

flies (3) — The average price of blood worms in Ha Dong at the beginning of the season is 300,000 VND/kg.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Bach in Thuan My village said: "Since the new road was built, trucks have come to the purchasing area. As soon as the rươi is scooped up, traders buy it all immediately, without having to take it to the market like before." Mr. Bach's family earns more than 1 billion VND/year from rươi and considers it their main source of income.

Ha Dong earthworms are currently consumed not only in the city's major markets but also exported to China. According to Mr. Hoang Van Dai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Dong Commune, about 60% of the earthworm output is exported, the rest serves the domestic market. The locality is planning to expand the earthworm exploitation area, and at the same time, it is asking the city to continue supporting investment in the system of internal roads, canals, and drainage ditches to serve production.

The organizations in the commune also actively propagate and mobilize people to preserve the ecological environment, not to use chemicals, not to exploit excessively. The model of exploiting natural earthworms in Ha Dong not only brings high economic value but also contributes to protecting the riverside ecosystem, maintaining natural balance.

Every time the season of collecting rươi comes, many households in Ha Dong boldly exploit experiential tourism. Many groups of tourists in the commune also come to the beach to experience collecting rươi like in the past. The well-planned, clean rươi beaches combined with the vast alluvial space and green dikes have become attractive destinations for tourists who love to explore ecological agriculture .

Mr. Hoang Van Dai added: "We aim to develop the earthworm profession associated with eco-tourism, build a brand to become a typical product, and increase the value of local agricultural products."

Every flood season, the earthworm brings joy and hope of prosperity to the people of Ha Dong, who have "awakened" great potential, turning "heaven's blessings" into a prosperous life, contributing to the strong development of the local economy.

MINH NGUYEN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/nong-dan-ha-dong-thu-tien-ty-tu-ruoi-526201.html