Raising frogs and fish in greenhouses.

Field frogs are being raised experimentally in the Bao Loc region. Using special techniques, a frog farming model implemented by a young family has demonstrated the adaptability of this animal species in the mountainous town.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao is bathing the frogs.

The family of Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao and Ms. Dao Thi Xuan Tram, residing on Tran Phu Street, Loc Son Ward, Bao Loc City, has recently started a frog farming business. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao explained that frog farming is a very common livestock farming in the Southwestern provinces of Vietnam, including Dong Nai . Frogs are well-received by consumers due to their delicious taste and good nutritional value. However, in the mountainous city of Bao Loc, frogs are still a relatively unfamiliar livestock. Due to the low temperatures and unfamiliar farming procedures, Mr. Bao consulted with many frog farmers before purchasing the froglets.

“My family’s frog farming technique is something we learned from frog farmers in the Mekong Delta. It involves raising frogs in net cages, utilizing the existing earthen pond area of ​​our family. We raise frogs in the cages and tilapia in the water below, creating a closed-loop system, which people call ‘double frog farming’,” shared Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao. On the surface of the existing earthen pond, Mr. Bao built a steel frame covered with a fine mesh net. With a water depth of approximately 2-5 cm, the frogs have just enough water to grow, but not enough depth to swim. Mr. Bao explained that raising frogs in cages with low water levels limits their movement, allowing them to grow and fatten up quickly.

One of the unique aspects, unlike anything else in the Mekong Delta, is that Nguyen Hoang Bao's family raises frogs in a greenhouse. He shared that frogs are amphibians, and their habitat requires a warm climate. When they come to Bao Loc, the cold climate often hinders their growth. Therefore, to raise frogs, he had to build a greenhouse covering the entire pond area. Then, he built enclosures to provide a breeding ground for the frogs. While raising frogs above, Hoang Bao also raises a large quantity of tilapia in the pond below. According to him, tilapia are a suitable type of fish to raise together with frogs.

“We feed the frogs above, and the leftover food passes through the mesh, becoming food for the tilapia. The frogs shed their skin every day, and the mucus and skin also become food for the fish, so the family doesn't have to feed the fish at all. When the frog population declines, the baby frogs also become food for the fish. At the same time, the fish eat up the waste and leftover food, helping to keep the water clean and reduce pollution. This is a closed-loop farming model implemented in a cold region like Bao Loc,” shared Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao. He also informed that people in the Mekong Delta and Dong Nai province all raise frogs above and fish below. The important thing is to choose suitable animals that are compatible with the frogs. Among them, tilapia are a docile fish, easy to feed, easy to care for, and popular in the market.

Starting their frog farming operation in May 2024, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao's family initially imported 10,000 froglets weighing 5-7 grams each. Now, after 2.5 months, the frogs have reached a weight of 4-5 froglets per kilogram. Mr. Bao stated that this is the stage where the frogs are rapidly growing, and he is feeding them three times a day. Around three months later, they will reach a weight of 3-4 froglets per kilogram, meeting the standards for marketability. According to information, when raising 10,000 froglets, the mortality rate is 30%, yielding 1.5 tons of marketable frogs after three months.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao also noted that frogs have a very fast growth rate. Therefore, with good care, a batch of frogs can be harvested in just three months. At the same time, raising frogs also allows the snakehead fish to reach sufficient weight for sale. Therefore, farmers in Bao Loc who enjoy frog farming have formed a cooperative to jointly develop the frog farming industry.

Not content with just raising frogs for meat, Nguyen Hoang Bao's family is researching breeding frogs. According to Mr. Bao, during the cold rainy season, frog mating produces many small male frogs with low economic value. In warmer seasons, breeding frogs will yield a higher proportion of female frogs, which are larger and more economically valuable. After a three-month trial period with good results, Mr. Hoang Bao and Ms. Xuan Tram are building an additional greenhouse and enclosure to raise 20 more froglets, as well as creating an area for frog breeding research. According to Mr. Bao, the most important thing when raising frogs is ensuring a clean water environment. The pond must have a water inlet and outlet system; when the water becomes too polluted, it needs to be drained and replaced with fresh water.

Mr. Mai Xuan Truong, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of Loc Son Ward, Bao Loc City, assessed that Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao and Ms. Dao Thi Xuan Tram are modern young people who actively participate in local youth union movements. They are also exemplary young entrepreneurs, raising various types of fish such as frogs, tilapia, and snakehead fish, stabilizing their family's economy, and contributing to the movement of young people excelling in economic activities in Loc Son Ward.

Source: http://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202407/nuoi-ech-ca-trong-nha-kinh-f3f144c/