Bao Ha: Transforming banana plants into marketable goods, increasing farmers' income.

Previously, banana stalks after harvesting were mostly wasted, with only a small portion used as animal feed. In recent years, Bao Ha commune has successfully piloted the processing of banana stalks into silk fibers for export, opening up a sustainable way to increase income for many households.

Previously, banana tree trunks after harvesting the bunches were usually only used as animal feed or discarded; now they are being processed into silk fibers for export.

Banana stems are collected and brought to the production facility of the Bao Ha commune's banana cultivation cooperative to be processed into silk fibers. According to assessments by specialized agencies, on average, 1 hectare of banana trees yields 30-40 tons of stems after harvesting, with a selling price of 300,000 VND/ton, thus providing banana growers with an additional income of approximately 8-10 million VND/ha.

The banana tree trunk is fed into a specialized machine to separate the layers and shred them into fibers.

It is then dried into raw fibers used in the textile, papermaking, and many other industries.

Dried banana fibers are braided into ropes of various sizes to meet customer requirements. This is light work, suitable for older workers and women, and contributes to increased income for households.

Banana fiber is lighter than bamboo or rattan fiber, water-resistant, and durable, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in various manufacturing sectors. From handicrafts and banknote paper to packaging paper, it's used in high-end materials for the automotive and yachting industries. With its broad range of applications, banana fiber is generating increasingly high economic value.

On average, 1 ton of fresh, processed banana stems yields about 10-12 kg of raw banana fiber (currently selling for 90,000 VND/kg).

Banana pulp by-products are composted to make organic fertilizer or sold to mushroom farms (the pulp is priced at approximately 2,500 - 3,000 VND/kg).

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bao Ha commune, said that the commune currently has more than 138 hectares of banana plantations. Besides the main income from the fruit, the production of fiber from banana stems is bringing double benefits to the people. Currently, the locality has 3 banana fiber spinning groups and 1 group combining banana fiber spinning with mushroom cultivation. These models are closely linked to maximize the use of banana stems, sheaths, and leaves – parts that were previously often discarded – to increase value and create additional livelihoods for the people.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/bao-ha-bien-than-chuoi-thanh-hang-hoa-tang-thu-nhap-cho-nong-dan-post888637.html