Prospects from raising soft-shell turtles

Previously, Mr. Huynh Van Thang (Kien Binh commune, Tan Thanh district, Long An province) produced rice but it was not effective, and his income was unstable. After visiting a soft-shell turtle farming model in Hau Giang province, he liked it and learned about farming methods through mass media channels. Realizing that soft-shell turtle farming had many prospects, was suitable for local conditions, and had high market demand, he was determined to research and learn.

Báo Long An•17/06/2025

Mr. Huynh Van Thang (Kien Binh commune, Tan Thanh district) invested in 2 ponds with an area of ^1,800m2 to raise 7,000 soft-shell turtles.

At the end of 2024, Mr. Thang invested in renovating 2 existing ponds of his family that used to raise fish. On an area of 2 ponds ^of 1,800m2, he bought 7,000 soft-shell turtles to raise. After 7 months, he saw that the soft-shell turtles grew well , each weighing an average of more than 500g. Mr. Thang said that this is an easy-to-raise animal that rarely gets sick.

However, to be successful, farmers must apply technical measures to ensure productivity and limit losses during the farming process. The pond must have high embankments to overcome floods and be surrounded by sturdy corrugated iron, with high, sturdy walls to prevent turtles from crawling out. The water level in the pond must be maintained at about 30-50cm, and the bottom of the pond must be covered with a layer of mud or sand to avoid scratching the belly.

In the tank, you need to place a coconut palm or a wooden tray so that the turtle has a place to sunbathe and limit frequent water changes to create a stable living environment for the turtle. Food for turtles is very diverse and easy to find such as snails, minced fish or bought food. The food portion needs to be moderate, do not feed too much to avoid excess food will pollute the water environment, easily causing disease in turtles.

Chairman of Kien Binh Commune Farmers' Association - Nguyen Van Thuan said: "Mr. Thang's soft-shell turtle farming model has a lot of potential, and was chosen by the Commune Farmers' Association to expand among its members and farmers. Currently, in the commune, there are 3 households raising soft-shell turtles with more than 11,500 turtles. The Commune Farmers' Association regularly pays attention and creates conditions for households to borrow preferential loans from the Social Policy Bank, the Farmers' Support Fund and opens many training courses on soft-shell turtle farming techniques."

The success of aquaculture models implemented by farmers in the district in recent times has not only contributed to diversifying forms and livestock but also opened up prospects for developing production models that bring high economic value to farmers./.

Kim Nhan

Source: https://baolongan.vn/trien-vong-tu-nuoi-ba-ba-a197178.html