Good soft-shelled turtle market conditions bring increased income to farmers in Jiashan County, Zhejiang
In recent years, the special aquaculture industry in Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province has developed rapidly, especially soft-shelled turtle farming. Pollution-free ecological farming, new varieties, and new technologies have become the wealth-building mantra circulated among soft-shelled turtle farmers, and technology has helped soft-shelled turtle farmers create one income-increasing miracle after another.
"It is estimated that by the end of this year, Jiashan County's soft-shelled turtle output will be around 3,800 tons, and the output value will exceed 200 million yuan. The Jiashan soft-shelled turtle market is strong, and every soft-shelled turtle farmer is making money." This was the situation described to reporters during a recent visit to some soft-shelled turtle farms in Jiashan County.
Xiangsheng Chinese soft-shelled turtle, as an organic aquatic product, has already obtained certification from the relevant national authorities. Walking into the Xiangsheng Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle Farm in Yangmiao Town, Jiashan County, is like walking into a water-town garden.
"This farm covers 180 mu and combines ecological aquaculture with leisure fisheries." said Boss Zhang of the farm. These soft-shelled turtles eat fish and aquatic plants, among other things, and the selling price is more than 220 yuan per kg.
Boss Zhang said that this year the farm newly launched soft-shelled turtle angling, and people accustomed to eating soft-shelled turtle can come and experience the fun of angling for soft-shelled turtles.
⟧ New soft-shelled turtle seedlings sell for a good price
Not only are soft-shelled turtles selling well, even soft-shelled turtle seedlings have sold for a good price. Shen Zhiming, owner of the Jiangnan Turtle and Soft-Shelled Turtle Seedling Breeding Farm, made a big pot of money relying on a new soft-shelled turtle variety——Japanese Chinese soft-shelled turtle seedlings.
"I introduced 3,000 Japanese Chinese soft-shelled turtle seedlings, and like ordinary small soft-shelled turtles, each sold for 2.5 yuan. This year I bred another 120,000 small soft-shelled turtles, each selling for 4.5 yuan, with the highest selling for 6 yuan." Shen Zhiming said that these Japanese Chinese soft-shelled turtle seedlings not only have fewer pests and diseases and grow quickly, but also taste better than ordinary soft-shelled turtles, and have gained market recognition.
It is understood that the Japanese Chinese soft-shelled turtle seedlings farmed by Shen Zhiming are mainly supplied to local farmers in Yangmiao, letting them farm the new variety and gradually changing the soft-shelled turtle farming structure of Yangmiao Town to produce high benefits.
"This year 100,000 soft-shelled turtle seedlings were sold locally, and 20,000 were sold to Hangzhou and Huzhou. The soft-shelled turtle seedlings are in short supply, and many farmers from other places come to buy them after hearing of their reputation." Shen Zhiming said.
Assembly-line operation brings high efficiency
"From soft-shelled turtle eggs to small soft-shelled turtles and then to large soft-shelled turtles, my place is like assembly-line production in a factory." said Yang Fugen, a soft-shelled turtle farmer at the Ganyao Ecological Fish Professional Cooperative. Thanks to the introduction of new farming technology, soft-shelled turtle output has increased substantially, and this year's soft-shelled turtles have earned him a large sum.
Yang Fugen said that last year the market price of soft-shelled turtle was 160 yuan per kg, and this year it is 300 yuan per kg. "I farm 10 mu of soft-shelled turtles. These soft-shelled turtles eat wild snails, small fish, and aquatic plants, and the total annual output is around 500 kg. This year I have already sold 250 kg." When talking about soft-shelled turtles, Yang Fugen seemed very excited.