Raising wild boars for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)

(Baonghean) - According to many people's beliefs, having wild boar meat to eat during Tet (Lunar New Year) brings good luck for the new year. Therefore, in many rural areas, several models of raising wild boars to serve the Tet holiday have emerged. The farm of Mr. Ho Khac Hiep in Hamlet 1, Dong Tam, Quynh Thang Commune, Quynh Luu District is a typical example.

The Lunar New Year season is harvest time for Mr. Ho Khac Hiep's farm in Quynh Thang (Quynh Luu district), with 380 wild boars ordered by restaurants and businesses. To secure this supply, Mr. Hiep has invested considerable effort and technical expertise over the past year in breeding and caring for his herd of pigs according to proper procedures to ensure high-quality meat.

Mr. Hiep takes care of the wild boar herd.

After completing his military service and returning to his hometown, Mr. Ho Khac Hiep participated in community work, taking on the responsibilities of Hamlet Head and Commune Militia Commander. He was dedicated to developing his family's economy and persistently pursued the exploitation of the potential of the hilly and forested land in the mountainous commune of Quynh Thang.

Previously, he raised hundreds of buffaloes and cows, but due to insufficient manpower and feed reserves, along with the threat of disease, he eventually had to sell them off gradually. Recognizing that Quynh Thang is a "satellite" area supplying clean food to Nghia Dan, Quy Hop, Quynh Luu, and Hoang Mai town, he has been determined to choose to raise wild boars as a specialty dish for restaurants during Tet (Lunar New Year) for many years, and he has succeeded.

Since 2009, Mr. Hiep has invested nearly 200 million VND to buy breeding pigs and build pigpens. The pigpens are located in the middle of his family's 3.5-hectare garden, surrounded by shade trees and providing space for the pigs to roam. Wild pigs are wild animals with high adaptability to the environment, so they rarely get sick and require simple food. Along with creating a natural environment, Mr. Hiep feeds the pigs according to the "proper" method. Each pig, weighing about 8 kg, is given only a handful of corn kernels and grass/leaves each day. These are grown by his family right on the farm, ensuring both cleanliness and a sufficient food source for the pigs.

Mr. Hiep's family farm currently has over 400 wild boars, including 27 breeding sows. Because raising wild boars doesn't require much feed, his farm doesn't need many workers; despite the large area and hundreds of pigs, only two people are needed to look after and care for them. Mr. Hiep explains that pigs must be fed very little from a young age so they get used to it. Eating less results in firm, lean meat, which is why customers are increasingly seeking out his pork when they see it slaughtered.

Since the beginning of the year, Mr. Hiep has been busy with pig breeding. After purchasing high-quality breeding pigs from Binh Duong, he breeds them to produce enough piglets to raise until the end of the year for sale during Tet (Lunar New Year). After 12 months of raising, Mr. Hiep sells his pigs for meat, weighing 20-25 kg each. Pork is currently sold at the farm for about 140,000 VND/kg, and the farm provides delivery to customers who need it. From a reputable and high-quality product, Mr. Hiep has expanded his distribution network to many neighboring districts and even the Hanoi market. Besides raising pigs for meat, Mr. Hiep also provides breeding pigs for many farmers in need at a price of 200,000 VND/kg. He raises the piglets until they reach 7-8 kg before selling them to customers to ensure a high success rate. His annual income from raising wild boars reaches nearly 500 million VND, with a profit of approximately 150 million VND.

Besides wild boars, Mr. Ho Khac Hiep also cultivates 30 hectares of acacia and eucalyptus trees, and nearly 10 hectares of various fruit trees. To date, the value of his farm has reached over 1 billion VND, considered a model of sustainable economic development in the locality. Mr. Bui Van Tien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Thang commune, commented: "Mr. Hiep is one of the diligent, exemplary, hardworking, and astute veterans in economic development. He also often helps the poor and other members when they come to learn from his business experience."

Chau Lan