Angelica dahurica, a medicinal herb, grows in the fields of Thuy Loi.

With advantages such as being easy to grow, easy to care for, and resistant to pests and diseases, many farmers in Thuy Loi commune (Tien Lu district) have been cultivating the medicinal herb Angelica dahurica, bringing them high incomes in recent times.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Angelica dahurica, also known as *Bai Zhao* or *Zhi Xiang*, is a common medicinal herb used to relieve pain, dispel wind and dampness, clear nasal passages, reduce swelling, and eliminate pus. The part used as medicine is the root, which is yellow or light brown in color.

Farmers in Thuy Loi commune harvest Angelica dahurica.

These days, taking advantage of the sunny weather, Mr. Nguyen Van Huong in Le Chi village has mobilized three more people to harvest Angelica dahurica in the fields. Quickly tilling the soil and gathering the fallen roots scattered across the field, Mr. Huong excitedly said: "My family has been growing this plant for many years on 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of land. Last year, traders came to our house to buy it at 68,000 VND/kg of dried root. This year, the weather is relatively favorable, so the yield is guaranteed. If the price remains stable at the same level as last year, each sao will yield a profit of over 10 million VND."

According to the farmers growing Angelica dahurica in Thuy Loi commune, this medicinal plant has been cultivated in the area for over 10 years. Currently, the cultivated area in the commune covers over 10 acres, mainly concentrated in the two villages of Le Chi and Thuy Duong. Local residents often utilize their home gardens or combine Angelica dahurica cultivation with other crops in their fields.

Angelica root is cultivated by sowing seeds. From September to October of the previous lunar year, people prepare the soil and sow the seeds. After about 6 months of growth, the plants are harvested in April to May of the following lunar year. When harvesting, people cut the leaves, then dig up the roots, wash them clean, ferment them, and then dry them in the sun or in a drying machine.

At this time, farmers in the commune are busy harvesting Angelica dahurica. Stopping in the fields, the fragrant aroma of the medicinal herb permeates the air, making anyone passing by feel comfortable. Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hoi from Le Chi village said: "My family has been growing this medicinal herb for six years. The harvesting period lasts about a month. The root of Angelica dahurica is prone to rotting if it gets wet during harvest time. Therefore, we often take advantage of dry days to work in shifts to ensure the harvest is completed on schedule."

Farmers in Thuy Duong village, Thuy Loi commune, harvest Angelica dahurica.

According to farmers growing Angelica dahurica in Thuy Loi, the advantages of this medicinal herb are its low investment cost, minimal care requirements, and especially its resistance to pests and diseases, resulting in almost no pesticide costs and the utilization of idle agricultural labor. However, to ensure stable yields, growers need experience and a thorough understanding of the plant's growth characteristics. Ms. Theu from Thuy Duong village, who has over 10 years of experience growing Angelica dahurica, shared: "For many years, my family has maintained a cultivation area of 1.2 acres. This plant prefers sunlight and is sensitive to waterlogging, so I choose high-lying, well-drained fields for cultivation. When planting, I create raised beds like other vegetables, but before sowing the seeds, I focus on clearing the soil of weeds, eliminating termites and pests, and especially applying plenty of well-rotted manure as a base fertilizer to promote good root and tuber development."

On average, each plot of land planted with Angelica dahurica yields 2.0 – 2.5 quintals of dried roots. The product is easily sold. Traders provide seeds and guarantee the purchase of the product from the moment farmers plant it. “After we process and dry the Angelica dahurica, traders from Van Giang and Van Lam districts come to buy it directly from our homes. With prices ranging from 40,000 to 65,000 VND/kg depending on the time of year, after deducting all investment costs and labor, we earn an average profit of 6 to 10 million VND per plot. Compared to rice or some other vegetable crops, medicinal plants require less care, don't need frequent fertilization after planting, and hardly require any pesticides, thus bringing more value to farmers,” added Ms. Thieu.

After harvesting the Angelica dahurica plant, farmers in Thuy Loi commune utilize the land previously used for medicinal herbs to cultivate vegetables such as corn, kohlrabi, and cabbage during the winter season, generating an additional income of approximately 4-6 million VND per sao (a unit of land measurement) after deducting all expenses.

Mr. Pham Tuan Hai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuy Loi commune, said: The local soil and climate conditions are suitable for growing Angelica dahurica. Along with the advantages of being easy to plant and care for, and having higher economic efficiency than rice and some vegetables, growing medicinal plants has become an effective and sustainable solution for agricultural economic development. However, the biggest concern for the locality is product consumption, as there is currently no joint venture or linkage to guarantee product sales, so households are hesitant to invest and expand production; while the consumption of medicinal products is generally convenient through traders, prices are not stable. Therefore, the locality is actively coordinating to find businesses to partner with to ensure the output of medicinal plants, contributing to the transformation of crop structure and increasing farmers' income.

Duong Mien

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