In a cozy greenhouse in Liu’ao Village of Dongmen Town, Luocheng Mulao Autonomous County, a group of fluffy, round guinea pigs happily munches on sugarcane leaves and grass. With their shiny, thick fur and a variety of colors, these adorable creatures sport large, sparkling eyes. As they eat, they raise their tiny paws to their chests, their little whiskers twitching as they chew, creating an endearing sight.
“Guinea pigs, also known as cavies or Dutch pigs, are not protected animals. They can be used as food, in medical experiments, or as pets. Not only is their meat delicious, but it’s also highly nutritious, making them quite popular among consumers,” explains Liao Da Kui, a local villager and the leader of Liu’ao Village.
Liao, who oversees over 100 acres of sugarcane and raises more than 100 pigs and 5,000 guinea pigs along with chickens, ducks, and passion fruits, got into guinea pig farming by chance. During a visit to a friend’s house, he was gifted a few guinea pigs. By the end of his first year, he had raised over 100, mostly given away as food to relatives and friends. Lacking knowledge on how to market them, he nearly gave up entirely, but his wife insisted they keep a few for ongoing breeding. With some prior experience, he was able to grow the population to around 400 by the second year. Now, entering his fourth year of guinea pig farming, he boasts a stock of over 5,000.
“The breeding techniques are something I learned through experimentation,” he says. “Guinea pig farming requires minimal investment and straightforward techniques, with promising profitability. The space needed isn’t extensive; you can raise about five guinea pigs in a square meter.”
Liao shares that the low costs and high returns of guinea pig farming have gained growing recognition. In winter, he only needs to feed them sugarcane leaves and grass twice a day, while in summer, he feeds them three times. With 100 acres of sugarcane at his disposal, he has more than enough feed.
Currently, he’s inspired three other villagers to join him in guinea pig farming, and neighbors from surrounding villages are coming to purchase breeding stock. “Right now, the market price for adult guinea pigs is around 25 yuan per pound, with breeding stock selling for 40 yuan each, typically in groups of three females and one male. They are mainly sold in places like Fujian, Guangdong, and Liuzhou in Guangxi, with an estimated net income of about 150,000 yuan a year,” he adds.
Looking ahead, Liao is optimistic about the future of guinea pig farming. These small pets have become a key part of his journey toward prosperity, and he plans to expand his operation while encouraging more people in the area to get involved in this profitable venture.
The Dongmen Town government is actively promoting the development of “courtyard economies” as a key strategy for rural revitalization, encouraging families to utilize their courtyard spaces effectively. This initiative aims to intertwine small-scale economic development with broader rural beautification efforts, injecting new life into the community.
