Taking advantage of local advantages to develop bamboo rat farming model

The breeding model of bamboo rats is gradually becoming an effective solution in rural economic development, especially in mountainous and midland areas. This animal has many advantages such as being easy to raise, having few diseases and the ability to reproduce quickly, with low input costs thanks to the available natural food sources. Applying this model not only helps diversify people's livelihoods, but also opens up opportunities to develop specialty agricultural products, contributing to increasing the economic value of rural areas.

Recently, Phu Tho Agricultural Extension Center coordinated with Lam Thao District Agricultural Service Center and Tien Kien Commune People's Committee to provide 80 pairs of breeding bamboo rats to 3 farming households to implement the model of breeding bamboo rats in Tien Kien Commune, Lam Thao District.

The family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Viet, one of three households participating in the model, is currently raising chickens and growing fruit trees on a mixed farm. After receiving support for breeding bamboo rats and technical guidance, she decided to add a new breeding object to her family's production model.

“Previously, I only knew that bamboo rats were wild animals living in the mountains and forests, and I never thought that they could be domesticated and raised in captivity for economic development. After being trained and given specific technical instructions, I found that raising bamboo rats was completely feasible. Bamboo rats are easy to care for, eat plants available around the house, and have few diseases. They are discreet, clean, and suitable for small-scale farming conditions in households. I raise them in combination with my current farm model. If bamboo rats reproduce well in the future, I will multiply the herd to sell both breeds and meat,” Ms. Viet shared.

Phu Tho Agricultural Extension Center in coordination with Lam Thao District Agricultural Service Center and Tien Kien Commune People's Committee provided bamboo rat breeds to farmers participating in the bamboo rat breeding model in Tien Kien Commune.

The bamboo rat farming model is one of the agricultural extension models in 2025 selected by the Phu Tho Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, built on high-value farming objects, with large market demand and suitable for household-scale farming. Bamboo rats are animals with good resistance, few diseases, and low farming costs. With a short reproductive period, a pair of bamboo rats can produce 2-3 litters per year, each litter of 3-5 children. This is a potential livestock, which can become a specialty product if production is well organized and the market is effectively connected.

The food of the bamboo rats is familiar plants such as: Bamboo, reed, sugarcane, corn, grass stems, ... helping to reduce input costs. Commercial bamboo rats raised from 8-10 months old can be sold with a weight of 1.2 - 2kg each. With a selling price of 550,000 VND - 650,000 VND/kg of meat bamboo rats and 1.4 - 2.2 million VND/pair of breeding bamboo rats depending on weight and type.

Commercial bamboo rats raised from 8 to 10 months old can be sold with a weight of 1.2 - 2kg each; selling price from 550,000 VND - 650,000 VND/kg of meat bamboo rats and 1.4 - 2.2 million VND/pair of breeding bamboo rats depending on weight.

According to comrade Luong Minh Phuong - Vice Chairman of Tien Kien Commune People's Committee, implementing the bamboo rat farming model in the area is the first step to help people access new, effective and sustainable production methods.

“During the implementation process, the government and the people were very excited. Based on the wishes of the people, the Commune People's Committee coordinated with the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center to propose support from higher-level capital sources. We believe that this model will soon bring positive results, creating a premise for replication throughout the commune. Tien Kien has the advantage of available food sources such as bamboo, bamboo shoots, corn, cassava, sugarcane, etc., so the cost of taking care of the bamboo rats is not too expensive. When the model is effective, the Commune People's Committee will continue to accompany the people in finding stable output for the products, contributing to the development of the local economy," said Mr. Luong Minh Phuong.

For the model to be successful, before providing the breed, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center organized for the commune agricultural extension, households participating in the model, and households with the need to raise the animals to visit and learn about effective bamboo rat raising models in Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh... to learn about the knowledge from the stage of building cages, preventing diseases of bamboo rats, and proactively raising the environment. At the same time, technical staff were assigned to guide the care and feeding methods in the early stages of care and notes during the raising process. The goal of the model is to create a solid start, as a foundation for replication.

Technical staff of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center provide guidance on initial care and notes during the breeding process.

Not only in Tien Kien commune, Lam Thao district, the model of breeding bamboo rats is gradually spreading to many other localities in the province such as Yen Lap, Tan Son, Thanh Son, Cam Khe, Ha Hoa - midland and mountainous areas with favorable natural conditions and abundant food sources.

However, because bamboo rats are wild animals, before raising and selling them, households need to complete all procedures and obtain licenses according to regulations. In fact, many households started with only a few bamboo rats, and after a while, they multiplied the herd to hundreds of rats, bringing in a stable source of income and opening up clear economic development prospects for rural areas.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duc's family in Ha Hoa district is raising two types of Thai peach-cheeked bamboo rats and Vietnamese bamboo rats, earning about 200 million VND in profit each year after deducting expenses.

The recent implementation of the breeding model of bamboo rats in Tien Kien commune, Lam Thao district and some mountainous districts in the province is proof that if there is close coordination between all parties, from agricultural extension agencies, local authorities to the people. In the context of the agricultural sector gradually transforming towards efficiency and sustainability, new livestock such as bamboo rats, if properly organized, will become a bright spot in rural economic development.

The bamboo rat farming model not only contributes to diversifying the livelihoods of people in the midlands and mountainous areas, but also opens up a new direction in developing livestock farming towards specialties, enhancing the economic value of agriculture. However, to achieve sustainable efficiency, it is necessary to have a synchronous strategy from organizing production, ensuring techniques to promoting trade and building a stable consumption market.

Bao Thoa

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tan-dung-loi-the-dia-phuong-de-phat-trien-mo-hinh-nuoi-dui-232300.htm