Engineer Turns Entrepreneur: The Story of a Successful Startup in Rural Vietnam
Mai Khac Thach, a civil engineering graduate from Hanoi University of Construction, chose an unconventional path by returning to his hometown to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. Leaving his engineering career behind, Thach ventured into the world of agriculture, specifically fur animal farming. This brave decision led to the establishment of a thriving business that generated billions of VND in profits last year.
According to Vietnamnet, Thach, a native of Can Loc, Ha Tinh, co-founded the Khanh Ngoc Cooperative in 2022 with five friends from Quan Ngoc village. Their main focus? Raising and breeding musk animals, specifically musk rats. This unique enterprise caught the attention of local authorities and received support from the Can Loc Forest Ranger Unit, who provided regular inspections and permits.
Musk rat farming can yield profits of up to 1.5 billion VND annually. Image source: Vietnamnet.
Thach’s journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur began in 2019 when he returned to his roots after years of working abroad as a construction contractor in Angola. He shared his motivation: “I wanted to leave the exhaustion of construction work behind and find a stable livelihood back home.” With a passion for agriculture and a determination to succeed, Thach began exploring various business models before discovering the potential of musk rat farming.
Thach spent three months in Ha Tinh city, diligently learning the ropes of musk rat farming from experienced breeders. He then invested in building enclosures and purchased 50 musk rats to start his enterprise. However, his initial endeavor faced challenges due to a lack of experience, resulting in digestive issues among the animals. Undeterred, Thach quickly learned from his mistakes and soon mastered the art of musk rat husbandry, leading to a turnaround in his venture.
The billion-dong musk rat farm.
Thach’s success inspired his friends to join him in establishing the Khanh Ngoc Cooperative (Khanh Ngoc Farm). Together, they invested approximately 5 billion VND in building a nearly 1-hectare breeding area, housing over 300 musk rats, including breeding and non-breeding individuals. Their hard work paid off, as the cooperative generated profits of around 1.5 billion VND in the first year, with expectations to recoup their investment and restructure in the following year.
One of the cooperative’s members shared insights into the musk rat’s biology, stating that the animals reach sexual maturity at around 10 months of age and typically have two litters per year. He emphasized the importance of a clean and varied diet, including bananas, fish, snails, and chicken necks, to maintain the health of the musk rats, which have a delicate digestive system.
Looking ahead, Thach plans to continue optimizing and restructuring their musk rat farming operation. By the end of this year, they aim to increase their herd size to 500 individuals, with expectations of generating approximately 3 billion VND in profits in 2024. The high demand for their musk rats has led to a shortage of supply, highlighting the success and potential of their venture.
The local authorities of Khanh Vinh Yen commune commend Thach and his team for their innovative and profitable business model, which has become a notable economic highlight in the region.
Musk Rat Farming: A Profitable Venture for Entrepreneurs in Ha Tinh
Ha Tinh province has witnessed the success of another musk rat farmer, Dang Van Cuong, whose nearly 1,000 m2 farm has caught the attention of locals. Cuong’s enterprise currently houses almost 100 adult musk rats, primarily focused on breeding to expand their herd.
Starting with just six pairs of musk rats, farmer Dang Van Cuong has grown his herd to nearly 100 adults, valued at over 1.5 billion VND. Image source: Ha Tinh Newspaper.
Cuong shared his insights with the Ha Tinh Newspaper, highlighting the low costs associated with musk rat farming due to the utilization of locally available food sources such as bananas, chicken meat, and porridge. Additionally, the high selling price and minimal time investment make it a lucrative venture, with quick capital recovery and high profits in subsequent litters.
The financial prospects of musk rat farming are indeed enticing. Cuong’s initial investment of six pairs of musk rats has grown to a herd of nearly 100 adults, valued at over 1.5 billion VND. Each female musk rat typically gives birth to 3-4 kits twice a year, and the sale of breeding pairs can bring in significant revenue.
Musk rat farming offers high economic returns. Image source: Ha Tinh Newspaper.
Cuong, with over three years of experience in musk rat farming, shared the challenges of treating sick animals due to the lack of specialized medication. He emphasized the critical importance of a well-designed enclosure that provides a comfortable environment for the musk rats, including shade, temperature regulation, and cleanliness. Cuong’s farm incorporates modern features such as an automatic drinking system, ensuring the musk rats’ well-being and health.
The key to successful musk rat farming, according to Cuong, lies in maintaining a clean and healthy environment, as well as providing a balanced diet. In addition to bananas, Cuong includes chicken meat in their diet to enhance their nutritional intake. The musk rats are fed twice a day, in the morning and at night.
Tips for Farmers: Techniques for Profitable Musk Rat Farming
Musk rats are prized for their delicious meat, which is considered a delicacy in many restaurants. If you’re interested in raising musk rats for a profitable venture, here are some helpful tips:
– Choose animals with a known history, preferably from a mother who has a good reproductive record and is a caring parent.
– Select healthy and active individuals with no deformities or congenital defects. Look for glossy fur, bright eyes, and well-developed reproductive organs.
– Opt for animals that are at least 8 months old for breeding purposes, weighing between 1-1.5kg. Younger animals may struggle to adapt and require more care.
– Maintain a balanced gender ratio of approximately 1:1 to ensure successful breeding, as musk rats tend to be monogamous.
– Transport new animals during the daytime when they are typically asleep, reducing the risk of escape or damage to their enclosures.
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