Bac Son: Increasing the value of medicinal plants from the production linkage model

– In recent years, the model of linking medicinal plant cultivation between Kim Son Medicinal Import-Export Company Limited and people in communes in Bac Son district has brought positive results, helping farmers increase their income and improve their lives.

Based on the market demand for medicinal plant products and the desire to limit overexploitation and preserve precious genetic resources, Kim Son Medicinal Plant Import-Export Company Limited has developed a model of linking medicinal plant cultivation with households in Bac Son district. Accordingly, in 2019, the company implemented a trial planting of 5 hectares of medicinal plants in 2 communes of Hung Vu and Tran Yen with 5 households participating in the model. The results after 1 year of implementation showed that medicinal plants such as: cot khi, giblets, cat sam... are suitable for the natural conditions, climate and soil of the district, so they grow well and are less susceptible to pests and diseases. Therefore, from 2020, the model began to be replicated in the district.

Workers at Kim Son Medicinal Import-Export Company Limited process medicinal plants.

As one of the first households to participate in the model, Mr. Tran Van Cuong, Mo Nhai hamlet, Hung Vu commune, said: In 2019, when the Commune Farmers' Association promoted it, my family converted 2 hectares of ineffective farming fields to grow water hyacinth. Through the care process, I realized that this is an easy-to-care-for plant, less susceptible to pests and diseases, grows well and can be harvested after more than 1 year of planting. On average, each year, my family harvests nearly 10 tons of tubers, with a selling price of 10,000 VND/kg, bringing in a profit of over 80 million VND after deducting costs, 2 to 3 times higher than growing rice. Currently, my family continues to grow water hyacinth and grows 1 more hectare of cot khi plant.

Mr. Duong Cong Ba, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Hung Vu Commune, said: Medicinal plants have been grown on a trial basis in the commune since 2019. When participating in the model, people are not only supported and instructed on techniques for planting and caring for medicinal plants, but also sign contracts to consume products, so they do not have to worry about output. Realizing the potential of the model, the association has proactively promoted and encouraged people to convert ineffective farming areas to growing medicinal plants. Up to now, the whole commune has about 30 households growing medicinal plants with a total area of over 25 hectares, mainly plants such as Cot Khi and Cat Sam. Thanks to growing medicinal plants, many households in the commune have an additional source of income from 40 to 80 million VND/year.

Not only in Hung Vu commune, in recent times, the medicinal plant cultivation linkage model has also been implemented in most communes in Bac Son district. Specifically, currently, the area of medicinal plant cultivation linkage in the district is about 62 hectares, with over 100 households participating in the model, mainly concentrated in some communes such as: Hung Vu, Tran Yen, Vu Lang, Tan Thanh.

To support households, Kim Son Medicinal Import-Export Company Limited has coordinated with the People's Committees of communes to advise and support people to register to participate in the model; provide guidance on techniques for planting and caring for medicinal plants. Accordingly, from 2019 to present, the company has coordinated to organize about 80 training courses to transfer science and technology to nearly 4,000 people; support seeds and fertilizers for new households participating in the model in the form of deduction; sign contracts to consume products; coordinate with the Farmers' Association of communes to monitor and guide people to care according to the correct process, produce in a safe direction, do not use chemical fertilizers, and ensure product quality.

Mr. Pham Trung Kien, Director of Kim Son Medicinal Import-Export Company Limited, said: Regularly monitoring and supporting people in the production process has helped the company ensure product quality before selling to processing factories. Currently, all medicinal products of the company are guaranteed according to the standards of the Vietnam Pharmacopoeia V of the Ministry of Health . The association in the production of medicinal plants has helped the company create a stable supply of goods, improving production and business efficiency. Specifically, on average, each year, the harvest output is from 300 to 400 tons of dried medicinal plants, with a selling price of 25 to 35 million VND/ton of dried medicinal plants, the company achieved a revenue of over 10 billion VND. To continue developing the model, in the coming time, we will coordinate with communes to propagate and mobilize people to expand the area of medicinal plants to 80 hectares. At the same time, replicate the model in other districts such as Binh Gia, Van Quan ...

Mr. Hoang Van Thuy, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Bac Son district, said: In recent times, the model of linking medicinal plant cultivation between Kim Son Medicinal Import-Export Company Limited and people in the communes has become a bright spot in the district's production development, creating stable output, helping people feel secure in production. From the effectiveness of the model, in the coming time, the department will continue to coordinate with functional agencies and People's Committees of communes to create conditions for the company to implement the model, especially in the direction of intercropping medicinal plants under the forest canopy. In addition, the department continues to advise the district People's Committee to pay attention and create conditions to attract businesses to invest, build production linkage models, and maximize the potential for agricultural and forestry development of the locality.

It can be seen that the model of linking medicinal plant cultivation has brought many positive results, not only helping purchasing units ensure supply and quality of goods but also helping many households improve production efficiency and increase income. Thereby, contributing to increasing the value of medicinal plants, opening up a direction for sustainable economic development for people in Bac Son district.

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