Turtle farming - opening up development direction for commercial aquatic products

In the middle of the mountainous region, few people think that it is possible to successfully develop a model of raising soft-shell turtles, a type of aquatic product that is only popular in the plains. However, thanks to favorable natural conditions, the spirit of daring to think, daring to do and strong will, Mr. Doan Ngoc Thuy, Song Bang hamlet, Kim Dong commune has turned that idea into reality, building a large-scale commercial soft-shell turtle farming model, bringing sustainable economic efficiency.

In 2021, Song Bang Agricultural and Aquatic Cooperative was established with 5 members, with a charter capital of over 1 billion VND, with Mr. Thuy as the director. Mr. Thuy shared: When I started raising soft-shell turtles in 2013, I encountered many difficulties. Without the technique, not understanding the characteristics of this animal, many batches died due to cold water or unsuitable food. But through each crop, I accumulated experience plus self-study, research, and study of documents, by 2017, I was able to actively raise soft-shell turtles for reproduction. Recently, the Cooperative and its members have applied a semi-natural farming model combined with cement tanks, maintaining a clean water environment, stabilizing the temperature, and minimizing the risk of disease. Each farming area is equipped with a separate water filtration system and settling pond, ensuring natural flow, helping soft-shell turtles develop well all year round.

From a few small ponds at the beginning, the Cooperative has now developed 3 ponds with a total area of over 3,500 m² and 7 separate tanks. The clear division of farming areas makes it easier to manage, reduces the risk of disease and ensures the quality of the breed. Currently, the Cooperative raises 2 types of soft-shell turtles, including spiny soft-shell turtles and smooth soft-shell turtles, of which spiny soft-shell turtles account for the majority due to their high adaptability, good vitality and fragrant, firm meat quality. Currently, the Cooperative maintains more than 2,500 soft-shell turtles, including 60 pairs of breeding parent soft-shell turtles, 1,200 commercial soft-shell turtles, and the rest are soft-shell turtle breeds being nurtured.

The soft-shell turtle farming model of Song Bang Agricultural and Fishery Cooperative is gradually affirming its clear economic efficiency.

Cao Bang has many rivers and streams, clean natural water sources, rich in minerals, which are ideal conditions for developing freshwater aquaculture. Thanks to that, soft-shell turtles raised here grow quickly, have few diseases, and the meat quality is rated higher than in many other regions. Under normal conditions, soft-shell turtles raised for 2-4 years will reach an average weight of 5-6 kg/piece, large individuals can reach 9-10 kg. With the current selling price of about 600,000 VND/kg for spiny soft-shell turtles, 380,000 - 400,000 VND for smooth soft-shell turtles, the model brings in hundreds of millions of VND/year in revenue. In addition, 3-month-old soft-shell turtles are sold at 60,000 - 80,000 VND/each for smooth soft-shell turtles, 180,000 - 200,000 VND/each for spiny soft-shell turtles, mainly consumed for farms and households in the province and sold in the provinces of Lang Son and Thai Nguyen. The main food source for soft-shell turtles is taken advantage of locally such as trash fish, snails, chicken giblets, ducks... helping to save costs while ensuring natural conditions for livestock. Thanks to that, investment costs are reduced by about 30 - 40% compared to many other places.

After becoming a member of the Provincial Cooperative Union, Song Bang Agricultural and Aquatic Cooperative received many practical supports such as: training to improve management capacity, transfer of technical advances in farming, consulting on brand building, trade promotion and connecting product consumption. Thanks to that, the Cooperative gradually expanded its production scale, perfected its operating process in a more professional, effective and sustainable direction. Not only raising commercial products, the Cooperative also proactively produced breeds, perfected a closed process from breeding, nursery, commercial farming to consumption, helping to save costs, increase product value and proactively stabilize supply.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Cooperative Union Tran Anh Dung commented: In the context of the province gradually shifting its agricultural economy towards commodity production, the model of raising soft-shell turtles for sale and breeding locally is an effective direction, making the most of natural advantages, especially water resources and the river ecosystem of the region. The model not only brings stable income to cooperative members but also contributes to creating local jobs, helping people in mountainous areas to transform their livelihoods sustainably.

The highlight of the model is the closed production chain from breeding, nursery to commercial farming and product consumption, which not many establishments can do. The initiative in seed sources helps the cooperative reduce input costs, while ensuring product quality, creating a competitive advantage when bringing to the market. The Provincial Cooperative Union continues to accompany and support the sustainable development model, focusing on connecting product consumption through links with aquatic cooperatives and agricultural service cooperatives inside and outside the province, forming a stable supply and consumption network. In addition, creating conditions for cooperatives to access preferential capital sources, supporting investment in expanding pond scale, applying science, technology and digital transformation in management, and tracing product origin. Organizing training courses to improve management capacity, techniques for breeding and commercial turtle farming, helping cooperative members improve skills, reduce risks, and move towards production according to biosafety processes.

The Hien

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/nuoi-ba-ba-mo-huong-phat-trien-cho-thuy-san-hang-hoa-3182260.html