In Chà Nưa commune, located in the mountainous district of Nậm Pồ, Điện Biên province, the primary livelihoods of the locals are crop cultivation and livestock farming. As a rodent, the bamboo rat has wild characteristics, prefers dark environments, and adapts well to the cool natural conditions of the highlands. Their diet consists of tree roots, bamboo, maize, cassava, and other crops that are readily available and easily sourced year-round in mountainous areas.

To capitalize on these abundant natural resources for economic development, in recent years, the people of Chà Nưa commune have begun experimenting with and developing a bamboo rat breeding and commercial farming model to boost household economies.

The family of Thùng Văn Viễn, from Nà Ín village, Chà Nưa commune, started bamboo rat farming in early 2024 with 10 pairs of common bamboo rats and 5 pairs of red-cheeked bamboo rats. By applying scientific techniques and learning from bamboo rat farms both within and outside the province, the adult and juvenile bamboo rats of Viễn’s family have thrived. After about six months of separation from the mother, each rat weighs an average of 1.4-2.2 kg. The price for common bamboo rats is approximately VND 400,000 per kg, while red-cheeked bamboo rats fetch a higher price of VND 600,000 per kg. The market demand for bamboo rats is highly promising, with traders coming directly to purchase them.

Thùng Văn Viễn shared: “In the highlands, the land is spacious and the climate is cool. Previously, my family mainly raised chickens, ducks, and pigs, but the prices were unstable, and caring for and feeding them took a lot of time. After researching bamboo rat farming models both within and outside the province, I found that the soil and climate conditions in Chà Nưa are very suitable for bamboo rat farming. With relatively low costs, feeding and care only require understanding the animal’s habits to develop the model.”

Currently, the family primarily focuses on raising common bamboo rats, as each breeding female can produce three litters per year, with each litter consisting of 2-4 offspring. Although red-cheeked bamboo rats fetch a higher commercial price, they require more careful attention during breeding and care. Red-cheeked bamboo rats produce two litters per year, with each litter having 4-7 offspring, and they generally grow more slowly than common bamboo rats.

Regarding bamboo rat farming techniques, Viễn explained that the barns are designed simply and do not require much space. The foundation is solidly constructed, then tiled with 80x80 cm ceramic tiles arranged into equal square compartments. The barns must be sealed against drafts, protected from direct sunlight, yet still kept dry and airy - an essential requirement to ensure a favorable living environment for the bamboo rats. Feeding is also crucial; if the food is not of good quality, the rats may struggle to develop, become thin, or even paralyzed. Typically, food is rotated and combined to ensure adequate nutrition. Feeding usually takes place in the morning, with just enough food provided to avoid overfeeding, as leftover food can become moldy or spoiled, potentially causing diseases in the rats.

After more than a year of breeding, Viễn’s bamboo rat herd has grown to nearly 400 animals, mostly breeding females. The family continues to expand the herd, culling and selling commercially those individuals that are poor at breeding or nurturing. Once the herd reaches 600-700 animals, they plan to stabilize the operation and supply the market.

Although still in the development phase, bamboo rat farming has shown promising results. It brings high economic value and opens a new path for economic development by leveraging the abundant natural resources of the highlands.