Earthworm farming model earns billions in Thanh Chuong

Mr. Duong Van Tu and earthworm products. Photo: TP

In 2019, Mr. Duong Van Tu from Luc Ngan (Bac Giang) moved to Thanh Lam (Thanh Chuong) to start a business. After studying the local situation, Mr. Tu realized that there were many large-scale livestock farms in the area, with a large amount of waste from livestock, but no farm had thoroughly treated the manure source in a way that brought economic benefits.

Accordingly, Mr. Tu has cooperated with a large-scale pig farm of over 5,000 pigs in Thanh Lam commune to raise earthworms. The pig farm will provide waste sources, infrastructure (land, barns, etc.) and Mr. Tu will contribute labor, techniques, and share profits equally.

Waste from buffalo, cows, pigs... after being treated will be a food source for worms. Photo: TP

“On average, each year, the amount of fertilizer that this herd of pigs produces is about 600 tons. The waste is treated by the farm using a filter tank, biogas tank, through aregulating lake;However, the stench has not been completely reduced, so it has a significant impact on the environment. In addition, this treatment system is often overloaded and the operating costs are expensive. In 2020, the farm put into operation a pig waste treatment system by raising earthworms," ​​said Mr. Duong Van Tu.

On an area of ​​2,000m²The farm has invested in building settling tanks, worm cages, etc. All daily pig waste is mixed with water and used as food for worms.

Mr. Tu said: "The process of taking care of earthworms is not difficult, but to ensure that the worms develop evenly, the first important thing is to design the barn according to standards: Soundproof, enough light, cool temperature, and sealed enough so that insects cannot penetrate.

The process of producing earthworms is simple, easy to do, and easy to replicate. Photo: TP

After collection and filtration, the waste will be transferred directly to the fermentation tank, acid treatment, harmful bacteria, and pig waste will be pumped directly to the worms to eat. After 30-45 days, the harvest will be done. On average, each year, the farm produces about 10 tons of worms and about 300 tons of manure.”.

Worm products and worm castings are used by the farm.usefeedpig farming,chicken,fish and processed into earthworm juice(usemixed with animal feed, used as foliar fertilizer sprayed on plants). At the same time, sold to eel farms and fruit farms in the area. At a price of 50,000copper/kg worms, 3.500 VND/kg of manure,Each year, the farm's revenue from earthworms is up to 1 billion VND.

Many livestock farms linked to insect production are being replicated in Thanh Chuong. Photo: TP

Thanks to the implementation of the model of waste treatment by raising earthworms, the environmental limitations of pig farms have been overcome.

Mr. Thai Van Toan - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Thanh Lam Commune (Thanh Chuong) said: "Thanks to Mr. Tu's technology transfer, many farmers in the commune have learned how to utilize livestock and poultry waste to raise earthworms, creating a closed farming model, both saving production costs and protecting the environment."

Before Mr. Duong Van Tu,In Nghe An, there have been many successful earthworm farming models in Nghia Dan, Quy Hop, Yen Thanh... However, on a large scale, becoming a commodity and having billions of dollars in revenue, Mr. Tu is the pioneer.

“Currently, in addition to the pig farm in Thanh Lam commune, I am collaborating with other livestock farms in the area to raise earthworms, mealworms, and black soldier flies. Of these, earthworms have brought about outstanding economic efficiency. In addition, I have also transferred techniques to dozens of large-scale farms, hundreds of family farms, and households on how to process livestock waste into earthworms.”

Earthworms are not only a protein-rich food for livestock, but worm manure is also a very good source of organic fertilizer for plants, helping to prevent drought and improve soil. Photo: TP