Bringing stream water to snail ponds, Nghe An farmers 'pocket' hundreds of millions/year
Thanh Phuc•August 22, 2023 12:03
(Baonghean.vn) - Although raising black apple snails for sale is quite late compared to other places, households in Thanh Chuong have a unique way of raising them: Bringing water from streams from the mountains to raise them, feeding them only plants so the snails live healthy, have delicious, sweet meat and sell for a higher price.
Due to the characteristics of mountainous communes, hollow fields, rocky fields, and ineffective rice cultivation, in 2020, some households in Thanh Huong commune rented machines to dig ponds to raise black apple snails. The pioneer in this model is Mr. Ngo Tri Long (Hamlet 6). Photo: Thanh PhucUnlike other farming areas, households here invest in pipes to bring water from Thap But stream into ponds to raise snails. The stream water is clean and rich in minerals, so the snails live healthy and have sweet meat. Photo: Thanh PhucMr. Ngo Tri Long said: “6 ponds with 8,000m2, snails are raised entirely with stream water. The stream is about 1km from the house, the pipeline connects from the stream and flows into the pond. The advantage is that Thap But stream water is abundant, full all year round, so water is regularly supplied to the ponds in the form of water in - water out, ensuring a clean farming environment, limiting diseases on snails”. From selling snail meat and snail seeds, each year, Mr. Ngo Tri Long's family has an income of 200-250 million VND. Photo: Thanh PhucHouseholds dedicate pond area to raising duckweed to proactively provide food sources for apple snails. Photo: Thanh PhucThe feed for duckweed is pig waste, so right next to the duckweed pond is a system of pig and cow farms. This arrangement creates a closed cycle, helping to limit environmental pollution in livestock farming. Photo: Thanh PhucIn addition, the stems, leaves, fruits of various types of squash, ripe jackfruit, and fallen guava are all used as food for snails. Ms. Tran Thi Binh, the owner of a snail farm, said: “All the food for snails is taken advantage of in the garden, no need to buy or spend time searching. Eating natural food is both cost-effective and provides clean food to meet market demand.” Photo: Thanh PhucCurrently, the apple snail farming model is quite developed in mountainous communes of Thanh Chuong, Do Luong, Anh Son, Tan Ky, Nghia Dan districts... Photo: Thanh PhucMr. Nguyen Xuan Khanh - Chairman of Thanh Chuong District Farmers' Association said: "In addition to orienting the establishment of association models, supporting breeds, supporting loans from fund sources, and training on farming techniques, we are currently also making efforts to connect with restaurants, processing and purchasing facilities to create stable output for commercial black apple snails. At the same time, we are guiding people to put snails on e-commerce platforms and sell online to reach new markets and new customers." Photo: Thanh Phuc
