Main points
- In the Mykolaiv region, a 24-year-old woman started a farm for growing Australian blue crayfish thanks to grant support in the amount of 3 thousand US dollars.
- The main challenges include power outages, but there are plans to install solar panels to ensure stable operation.
Blue Australian crayfish / Photo AgroStory
An unusual agribusiness has emerged in the Mykolaiv region – the cultivation of Australian blue crayfish. It was started by a 24-year-old social worker thanks to grant support and her own initiative.
Grant helped launch exotic farm
Anna Dibrova, a resident of the town of Novy Bug, has started a mini-farm for growing Australian red-clawed crayfish, Ukrinform reports. She was able to implement the idea thanks to participation in a grant program, within the framework of which she received financial support in the amount of 3 thousand US dollars.
With these funds, the entrepreneur purchased equipment and fry, creating a full-fledged system for keeping crayfish. The farm is located near the city, where a 4,000-liter pool has been installed. Currently, about 660 individuals are kept there.
This species is characterized by rapid growth and high taste. Crayfish can reach a length of 15–16 centimeters and a weight of up to 300 grams, which makes them attractive for commercial cultivation.
Development plans and main challenges
The farm is equipped with water heating and purification systems, as well as video surveillance, to keep exotic animals. Anna is helped in her work by her family – her husband and young daughter.
The entrepreneur is currently planning to expand the farm and move it to a more suitable space for comfortable wintering. In the future, she is also considering the possibility of processing the products – boiling crayfish and selling finished products.
Pay attention! However, the business also has challenges. The main problem remains power outages, because all the equipment depends on electricity. That is why the family plans to invest in installing solar panels. The first profits from the mini-farm are expected about a year after launch.
What are Australian blue crayfish known for?
Blue Australian crayfish (mostly Cherax cainii or red-claw crayfish) are large freshwater crustaceans with bright blue shells that are raised as a delicacy and for aquariums.
They grow quickly (up to 300 – 500 grams per year), need warm water and do not require complex care, which makes them promising for breeding.
Due to proximity to the front, Kherson region farmers are switching to new crops
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Farmers in the Kherson region are switching to growing vegetables – with state support for up to 80% of irrigation costs.
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Also, due to the proximity to the front, farmers choose crops that are less vulnerable to fires, such as rapeseed and sunflowers.