"Brothers" bridge the output of forest products - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

Director of Anh Em Cooperative checks the quality of dried star anise before selling.

Cao Lau commune, Cao Loc district has over 4,000 hectares of forest, mainly pine, anise, and so... from the forest. People in the commune have stable incomes, many households have escaped poverty and become rich legitimately.

Mr. Ha Van Su, Director of the Cooperative, said: The commune has strengths in developing the hill and forest economy . Every year, the commune's output of exploited products such as anise, pine resin, and so is high. However, the output of the products is not really stable. Based on that reality, in early 2022, Anh Em Cooperative was established with 7 members, operating mainly in the field of purchasing forest products for people.

Accordingly, to consume star anise, pine resin, and cassia fruit for people, the Cooperative has proactively sought out consumption markets and signed a contract to consume pine resin products with Songlees Lang Son Company Limited (Loc Binh district) and connected with star anise and cassia purchasing points in provinces and cities: Hanoi , Hai Phong... Currently, the Cooperative mainly purchases forest products for people in Cao Lau commune (the Cooperative purchases about 40 - 50% of the commune's output) and purchases cassia fruit for some people in Yen Trach commune at stable prices.

Mr. Nong Van Thanh, Con Nan village, Cao Lau commune said: My family currently has over 2 hectares of pine. On average, each year, the family harvests from 2 to 3 tons of resin. Instead of having to wait for traders to buy as before, now the family's pine resin products are purchased by Anh Em Cooperative at a stable price. Thanks to that, the family earns an average income of 50 - 60 million VND per year from pine resin.

Not only Mr. Thanh's family, in the past, people had to wait for traders to come and buy, so the prices were unstable, sometimes even forced down. Since Anh Em Cooperative started operating, products such as star anise, pine resin, and cassia have been purchased by the Cooperative at stable prices. On average, each year, the Cooperative purchases over 300 tons of star anise, pine resin, and cassia from the people. In addition, the Cooperative also invests in modern machinery to press cassia oil, on average, each year, the Cooperative sells over 1,000 liters of cassia oil to the market. In 2025, the Cooperative strives to bring cassia oil products to meet OCOP standards (One Commune One Product program).

Thanks to its effective operations, the cooperative has contributed to ensuring stable output for forest products of local people, increasing income for cooperative members. On average, the cooperative's revenue reaches over 2 billion VND per year, bringing income to its members from 80 to over 200 million VND/year. In addition, the cooperative also creates regular jobs for 6 workers and seasonal jobs for 6 local workers.

Mr. Dong Minh Quy, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Cao Loc district, said: In recent times, Anh Em Cooperative has been operating effectively in the field of purchasing non-timber forest products for people in Cao Lau commune, contributing to creating output for people, solving employment and increasing income for members. This is the only cooperative in the district that has invested in modern machinery to process So oil. Currently, the department is supporting and guiding the cooperative to complete documents and procedures to strive to build So oil into an OCOP product in 2025, thereby contributing to increasing the value of So products in the area.

It can be seen that Anh Em Cooperative has truly become a "bridge" for consuming the commune's strong forestry products. Thereby, helping to increase people's income, contributing positively to the process of promoting local socio-economic development.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/cau-noi-tieu-thu-lam-san-cho-nguoi-dan-5046776.html