Dry season profit for Isan farmers through frog farming proves beneficial
Diving into the Frightful Frogs of Ban Nong Tae:
Located in the Renu Nakhon district of Nakhon Phanom, this quaint village has been a goldmine for its residents, thanks to their frog farming endeavors during the dry seasons.
The village of Ban Nong Tae transforms its harvested paddy fields into a bustling frog farm, reaping a profit of 10 million to 20 million baht yearly. The star of the show? Tadpoles, or as they're locally referred to as luk huak, which are sold for 150 to 200 baht per kilogramme.[1]
When the dry season sets in, they ramp up production by gutting and cleaning their frogs, packaging them, and freezing them for export. The frozen frog meat sells for a whopping 200 baht per kilogramme.[1]
The success of frog farming in Ban Nong Tae has been a steady source of income for over two decades.[2] After the rice harvest, the farmers turn their fields into shallow ponds about 30 centimeters deep, stock them with year-old frogs, and wait for them to breed.[2] Approximately 300 pairs of frogs are released into each pond, and the breeding process happens within a single night.[2]
The following days see the eggs hatching, and the tadpoles are subsequently nurtured on catfish food. Within 20 to 25 days, they're ready for sale.[2]
The Phaeng Yai community enterprise, with around 70 member households raising frogs to breed tadpoles for sale, plays a crucial role in helping process the tadpoles and marketing them.[2] The enterprise aids the farmers in both the domestic and international markets, with frozen tadpoles selling for 250 baht per kilogramme, and live tadpoles selling for 100 baht.[2]
Many orders for these delicacies come from customers in Australia and Singapore.[3] Additionally, bigger frogs (around 3 months old) are also processed and frozen, selling for 250 baht per kilogramme.[3]
As for whipping up a dish with these froggy delights, you can try making a traditional Thai curry called kaeng om, a spicy curry made with herbs, or kaeng normai dong, a curry with pickled bamboo shoots.[3] These dishes are popular in food shops, selling for 200 to 300 baht a bowl.[3]
Sonthaya Faramee, the secretary of the Phaeng Yai community enterprise in Nakhon Phanom, shown with frozen frogs and tadpoles produced by farmers in Renu Nakhon district, provides a glimpse into the burgeoning frog farming industry in this rural corner of Nakhon Phanom.[3]
Despite its continued success, the sustainability of frog farming requires careful management to ensure that it doesn't lead to environmental issues and continues to be profitable for the community.[4] However, the growth in frog farming also presents exciting opportunities for economic development and diversification in rural areas, potentially leading to more robust local economies.[4]
[1] - [Source 1][2] - [Source 2][3] - [Source 3][4] - [Information from the Enrichment Data]
The economic growth in Ban Nong Tae, driven predominantly by the frog farming industry, has significantly impacted the local lifestyle, with the sale of tadpoles and frozen frog meat providing substantial income for the villagers. This successful enterprise, extending over two decades, has also created opportunities for local businesses, including the Phaeng Yai community enterprise, which assists in the marketing and processing of these delicacies.
