Raising bamboo rats - a promising direction for rural economy.

In their search for new livelihoods, many households in Thai Nguyen, especially in mountainous communes, are shifting to specialized livestock farming models instead of relying solely on rice cultivation or traditional livestock. Among these, raising bamboo rats is proving to be a promising direction. With low investment costs, the utilization of readily available feed sources, and a market for high-priced specialty products, this model is attracting considerable interest from rural households.

The bamboo rat farm of Mr. Hua Van Thuong's family (Na Ri commune) is equipped with a heating and cooling system, helping the bamboo rats grow and develop well.

The bamboo rat is a rodent widely distributed in hilly and mountainous areas. It has a compact body, gray-brown fur, lives in burrows, and is primarily nocturnal. Its preferred food includes bamboo, reeds, sugarcane, corn, and cassava – plants readily available in rural areas. Bamboo rats breed year-round, have good resistance to disease, and are less susceptible to illness than many other livestock. Compared to other farming models, raising bamboo rats does not require large areas or high capital investment.

A household can start with 5–10 breeding pairs, with an initial investment of around 10–15 million VND. The breeding enclosure only needs to be small, well-ventilated pens, placed in a corner of the yard or an abandoned warehouse. In areas where bamboo grows abundantly, feed costs are low, creating a clear advantage for mountain farmers.

Mr. Nong Van Vinh, from Tran Phu commune, has been raising bamboo rats since 2023. Initially, he only raised 10 pairs as a trial, but after a year, he increased the herd. Currently, the herd has grown to 200 animals. He sells both breeding and commercial bamboo rats, mainly within the province and to other provinces such as Hanoi , Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong city.

Mr. Vinh shared: "The bamboo rat is popular with many people, so the market is easy to sell. Currently, my family's enclosure can hold up to 300 rats, so I'm continuing to expand the herd."

Although bamboo rats are relatively easy to raise, they are sensitive to temperature, preferring a range of 19–28°C. They can suffer from diarrhea, constipation, pneumonia, and flu-like illnesses due to weather changes or inadequate food. Breeders need to regularly monitor the health of the herd, treat diseases promptly, and pay attention to hygiene in the enclosures. In addition, it is necessary to thoroughly understand the characteristics and habits of bamboo rats to ensure successful breeding and minimize losses.

Many young people in rural areas choose to raise bamboo rats to develop their economy (photo taken in Bach Thong commune).

After six years of raising bamboo rats, Mr. Hua Van Thuong from Na Ri commune has accumulated a lot of experience. He invested in building sturdy cages, installing cooling and heating systems, and various temperature and humidity measuring devices to create favorable conditions for bamboo rat breeding. As a result, the bamboo rats develop and reproduce well. On average, each litter produces 1-6 offspring.

Mr. Thuong said: "From knowing nothing about bamboo rats, I can now diagnose illnesses, treat diseases, and manage wounds. I also have a full supply of medicines, alcohol, bandages, etc. When properly cared for, bamboo rats will thrive and provide a decent income."

In Yen Phong commune, the model of raising bamboo rats is being widely adopted. According to statistics, the entire commune currently has over 200 households raising bamboo rats on a scale of 50 or more animals. In addition, there are many new households experimenting with small-scale farming. Many households have achieved 300-500 animals, and there are even two households with a total herd of nearly 1,000 animals.

Based on the economic benefits, the commune has implemented two projects from national target programs to support poor and near-poor households in raising bamboo rats. In addition, from the Farmers' Support Fund at all levels, the commune has disbursed funds to 35 households raising bamboo rats, creating conditions for them to expand their scale.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thu, Chairwoman of the Farmers' Association of Yen Phong commune, said: "Since 2013, some households in the commune have started experimentally raising bamboo rats. After seeing positive results, the people gradually expanded the practice. To date, bamboo rat farming has become a sustainable economic development direction for the locality. The commune continues to implement support programs and loan programs to create favorable conditions for people to raise these animals."

To raise bamboo rats effectively, people need to prepare enclosed cages with cement floors, good ventilation but with little light, and moderate humidity. The food must be fresh, clean, and free from mold.

Bamboo rats are separated from their mothers at about 45 days old. After separation, they are raised for about 2 months until they reach a weight of 500 grams, at which point they can be sold as breeding stock. The average price ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 million VND per pair. Commercial bamboo rats, depending on the breed, weigh from 1.2 to 2.6 kg. The price ranges from 400,000 to 550,000 VND per kg.

From a little-known wild rodent, the bamboo rat has become a specialty product that brings significant income to many households in mountainous areas. For bamboo rat farming to develop sustainably, close cooperation is needed between breeders, breeding suppliers, and distribution channels, along with support from the government in technical training and brand building. This will help transform bamboo rat farming into a sustainable specialty product for the people of Thai Nguyen .

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202508/nuoi-dui-huong-mo-cho-kinh-te-nong-thon-53c6d41/