Nghe An farmers raise mud-free eels in cement tanks

Raising eels in cement tanks is a new model, different from the traditional farming method before, contributing to improving economic efficiency, creating a source of clean food for the market.

To help people develop this profession, with the help of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, Yen Thanh Agricultural Extension Station has implemented and is currently expanding in Do Thanh, Long Thanh, Ly Thanh and Khanh Thanh communes...

Thanks to the application of proper farming techniques, many models have developed on a large scale, bringing high economic value, opening up a new direction in linking to create product value chains.

Eel farming model in cement tank of Mr. Nguyen Ba Dinh's family in Giap Ngoi hamlet, Long Thanh commune (Yen Thanh). Photo: Thai Duong

Typically, in Giap Ngoi hamlet, Long Thanh commune, there is a model of raising eels in cement tanks of Mr. Nguyen Ba Dinh's family that many people come to visit and learn from.

In the area of ​​3 small houses, he invested in building 6 cement tanks, each tank has an area of ​​5m2.²Under the thin bamboo tray are thousands of golden eels being cared for and raised according to the correct technical process.

Mr. Dinh shared that raising eels does not cost much and requires a lot of labor, but one must have knowledge and understand the biological characteristics of eels to have a suitable raising method. Thanks to that, each year his family raises 2 batches, harvesting more than 3.2 tons of commercial eels; with a market price of 150,000 - 180,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, there is an income of 60-70 million VND.

According to households raising eels in mud-free cement tanks, the first step is to select and domesticate the breed. The breed for raising is small freshwater eels (60 - 80 eels/kg) purchased from people who catch them with traps in the fields.

Before being released into the tank, the eels are washed and treated with salt water or diluted potassium permanganate solution to disinfect, remove fungi and parasites in the natural environment, to minimize the source of disease during the breeding process.

The density of eels in the tank is about 200 fish/m2; after 5 months of raising eels, they will reach a weight of 0.2 kg/fish. Photo: Thai Duong

After 2 months of domestication, eel seedlings will adapt to the new environment, with a survival rate of over 90% and can be raised normally at a density of 200 eels/m2.²Eels will gain weight quickly, develop evenly, without loss; after 4 - 5 months of raising, they will reach a weight of 0.2 kg/eel, ensuring export standards.

As one of the first households in Yen Thanh district to participate in the mud-free eel farming model, up to now, Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh's family in Dong Phu hamlet, Khanh Thanh commune has expanded the farming area to 60 m².

According to Mr. Khanh, this is a model with quite high economic efficiency, but it is very strict with the farming techniques from the stage of building tanks, clean water systems, weaving bamboo trays to make a place for eels to live; especially the food source for eels is considered the most important factor. Because they are raised in cement tanks, the only food for eels is fresh freshwater fish, or snails available in fields, ponds, etc. After being washed, these foods are put into a blender, mixed with a little rice bran to create adhesion, and the eels are only fed once a day in the early morning or late afternoon.

As a species that is very sensitive and allergic to temperature and environment, the water source in the tank is always kept at 0.35 m, with a stable temperature according to the season. After feeding the eel bait for about 1 hour, the water must be changed immediately. Absolutely do not let excess food accumulate, leading to environmental pollution, difficulty in controlling diseases and factors related to food safety and hygiene...

Therefore, eels raised in cement tanks are considered clean food, with nutritional content no less than eels living in the natural environment. They are currently popular with consumers and are not enough to meet market demand.

In 2017, from the capital to support agricultural development in new rural construction, each eel farming model in Yen Thanh district was supported with 38 million VND, helping households build cement tanks, select breeds, food sources and treat water sources, contributing to the protection and regeneration of aquatic resources, enriching the beauty of culinary culture, an inherent specialty of Nghe An.