Production techniques and environmental management in frog farming in Dong Thap province

Abstract

This study surveyed 40 farmers on their production techniques and environmental management in frog farming in Cao Lanh and Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province, and the results showed that frogs were cultured in tarpaulin tanks (82.5%), hapas in an earth pond (35%), and earth ponds (2.5%). Most of the farmers (82.5%) had a combination of breeding frogs and production frogs to be self-sufficient froglet. Stocking density is high with 146.3±92.3 individuals/m² for production frogs and 51.6±35.7 individuals/m² for breeding frogs. The culture duration of froglet was an average of 33.6±8.8 days/crop (9.3±2.4 crops/year) and production frogs was 64.7±9.7 days/crop (5.1±0.6 crops/year). Frogs were raised with a commercial pellet feed of many brands. The diseases occurred in tadpole and froglet phase (2-30 days), including septicemia diseases (57.5%), red thighs (45%), white bodies (35%), blindness (35%), digestive disorders (20%), and flatulence (15%). The disease causes were mainly due to poor water quality, weather change, feed, and high stocking density. However, few farmers had treated farming system (37.5%), supplemental water (27.5%), and monitored and controlled water quality. There were 60% of households to discharge wastewater directly into rivers and canals. Some farmers have used nutrient for wastewater from frogs with combining frog with fish (27.5%), or discharging wastewater into ditches gardens, fields (7.5%), settling pond (5%), which have helped to increase income and protect the environment. Therefore, farmers need to be supported with knowledge of farming technique and environmental management from the local government.