Raising eels and frogs in tanks without mud yields over 100 million VND per year.
(Baonghean) - The first mudless eel farming model in Nghe An, located in the rice-growing region of Yen Thanh, is generating high income.
With the support of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in early 2016, Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh in Dong Phu hamlet, Khanh Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) was selected by the District Agricultural Extension Center as a pilot model for mudless eel farming. This is the first model of its kind in the province, and instead of raising eels in muddy ponds, they are now raised in mudless tanks.
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| Mudless eel farming model in Dong Phu hamlet, Khanh Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district). |
With just about 30 square meters divided into 5 cement and tiled tanks, it's possible to raise over 400 kg of eels within 6 months, averaging 14 kg/m2.
Contrary to long-held beliefs, mudless eel farming is very clean and safe because everything from the water source to the feed is controlled. Although the stocking density is high, because the eels are fed and the water is changed daily, any sick or diseased eels can be detected and isolated immediately.
In the future, Mr. Khanh plans to expand the area to 60 square meters and build four more breeding tanks to produce both adult eels and eel fry. According to Mr. Khanh, eels are finicky animals; to produce fry, in addition to natural water conditions, eels purchased from any region must be acclimatized to the new water source. Currently, the price of adult eels ranges from 180,000 to about 230,000 - 250,000 VND/kg, but eel fry cost around 350,000 VND/kg.
With only 2.5 acres of land, of which more than 1 acre is used for fruit trees, he dedicates 60 square meters to mudless eel farming ponds, 200 square meters to frog farming ponds, and 100 square meters to catfish farming. Currently, with only two workers, Mr. Khanh's farm generates an annual revenue of 120-150 million VND. After deducting expenses, the model yields a profit of 80-100 million VND per year, ten times higher than rice farming…
Nguyen Hai
