Turn yellow tea flowers into gold

Mr. Trieu Huu An, head of the Loi Bac medicinal plant cooperative, checks the quality of yellow camellia flowers before harvesting.

These days, the people of Na Xom village, Loi Bac commune are preparing for the harvest of yellow camellia trees. This type of tree was planted by the people of Na Xom village in 2009, at that time there was only one household planting a few dozen trees. By 2018, the people in the village realized the economic efficiency of the yellow camellia tree so they expanded the area.

With the desire to develop the golden flower tea product into a typical product, contributing to the preservation of precious medicinal plants and increasing income for people, Loi Bac commune authorities have promoted and mobilized people to establish a cooperative so that members can support each other in production, gradually building a brand and increasing product value. Accordingly, in May 2022, Loi Bac medicinal plant cooperative was established with 9 members, with a production scale of 3.5 hectares (mainly households in Na Xom village).

Mr. Trieu Huu An, Head of the Cooperative, said: After the Cooperative was established, we participated in training courses on transferring science and technology on how to plant and care for yellow camellia trees organized by specialized agencies in coordination with the commune government. At the same time, the Cooperative also regularly organizes meetings for members to exchange and share experiences. Yellow camellia has many health benefits, but if there are no measures to preserve the tea, it will spoil very quickly. The tea growers in the village are all ethnic minorities, so the ability to market the product is limited. Therefore, the Cooperative has proactively researched processing and preservation methods, and prepared conditions to participate in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program to help people's products become more known.

On average, each year, THT's yellow flower tea output reaches 3 tons of fresh flowers. In addition, THT also purchases about 3 tons of fresh flowers from villagers. After processing, the output reaches 1.5 tons of dried flowers, with a selling price of 1 to 2.5 million VND/kg of dried flowers, bringing THT revenue of 1.5 billion VND.

To do that, THT invested in and equipped a freeze dryer with a budget of nearly 400 million VND to process the product; designed packaging, labels, and traceability stamps for the product. In 2023, THT's golden flower tea product was certified as a 3-star OCOP product.

Mr. Duong Trung Hinh, a member of the cooperative, said: In 2009, my family started growing 50 yellow camellia trees. Realizing the economic efficiency, since 2018, my family has continued to expand the area. By 2022, when joining the cooperative, my family was instructed on the process and techniques of caring for yellow camellia trees, and at the same time drying yellow camellia products to sell at a higher price. Currently, my family has 1,600 yellow camellia trees, on average each year the family harvests 1 ton of fresh flowers (after drying, there are 1.5 quintals left), with a selling price of 1 to 2.5 million VND/kg of dried flowers, my family has an income of over 150 million VND/year.

Currently, THT's yellow flower tea products have been known to many consumers, the consumption market is not only in the province but also expanded to other provinces and cities such as: Hanoi , Bac Ninh... From an area of 3.5 hectares in 2022, the current area of THT's yellow flower tea growing area has expanded to 7 hectares. On average, each year, THT's yellow flower tea output reaches 3 tons of fresh flowers. In addition, THT also purchases about 3 tons of fresh flowers from villagers. After processing, the output reaches 1.5 tons of dried flowers, with a selling price of 1 to 2.5 million VND/kg of dried flowers, bringing revenue to THT of 1.5 billion VND, from which members have an income of 100 - 300 million VND/year. Currently, Loi Bac medicinal plant cooperative is one of the 3 typical establishments in the province with yellow flower tea products that meet OCOP standards.

Mr. Chu Manh Dung, Vice Chairman of Loi Bac Commune People's Committee, said: The effective operation of Loi Bac medicinal plant cooperative has opened a new direction for the commune's agricultural development. The effective association in producing yellow camellia has helped people increase their income, while contributing to the preservation and development of precious local medicinal plants. In the coming time, we will continue to promote and encourage people to maintain and expand the area, creating conditions for the cooperative to bring products to participate in programs and fairs, contributing to promoting and expanding the product consumption market.

The success of the production linkage of Loi Bac medicinal plant cooperative has opened up a sustainable direction for the people. This not only helps people increase their income but also contributes to promoting collective economic development and building sustainable new rural areas in the locality.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/thanh-cong-nho-lien-ket-san-xuat-5064046.html