Poverty alleviation tree in Trung Son

Cinnamon trees are becoming a source of wealth for the people of Trung Son commune.

Trung Son commune in Phu Tho province has over 4,000 hectares of forest land, with hilly terrain accounting for the majority of the area. The soil characteristics, with its thick topsoil, high humidity, and mild climate year-round, create favorable conditions for cinnamon tree growth and development. In addition to its natural advantages, Trung Son also has a long-standing tradition of cinnamon cultivation.

Over generations, the people have accumulated valuable experience in planting, caring for, and harvesting cinnamon, forming a solid foundation for developing this crop as a commercial product. From initially scattered plantings, cinnamon has now become a key crop, playing a crucial role in the economic development strategy of Trung Son commune's hill and forest areas. The entire commune currently has 1,442 households growing cinnamon on an area of over 2,800 hectares.

One of the pioneers in bringing cinnamon trees to Trung Son is Ms. Dinh Thi Linh, Secretary of the Party Branch of Nhoi area. Ms. Linh shared that in 1988-1989, the people's economy was very difficult, mainly relying on slash-and-burn farming, and their lives were precarious. My family was one of the first households encouraged by the government to plant cinnamon and received support with 300 seedlings. Initially, we intercropped cinnamon with cassava to generate short-term income to support long-term growth. By 2012, with 2 hectares of cinnamon ready for harvesting, my family earned about 300 million VND.

Recognizing the clear potential, her family continued to expand the area to 5 hectares, while also encouraging other households in the area to switch to cinnamon cultivation. To date, more than 80% of households in the Nhồi area have become involved with cinnamon cultivation. Many families who once lived a nomadic lifestyle have now stabilized their production and are gradually rising out of poverty. The entire area now has more than 85 hectares of cinnamon, providing both income and contributing to raising awareness of forest protection within the community.

If the Nhồi area is a testament to the beginning, then the Đâng area is considered the "cinnamon hub" of Trung Sơn, where cinnamon trees truly demonstrate their economic effectiveness. The Đâng area currently has 95 households with 370 inhabitants, comprising three ethnic groups: Mường, Dao, and H'Mông. Notably, 100% of the households in the area cultivate cinnamon, with a total area of over 200 hectares, of which about 100 hectares are already yielding stable harvests. The average income from cinnamon is approximately 200 million VND per hectare. Some households cultivate 2-3 hectares, while others have dozens of hectares.

Thanks to cinnamon trees, the Dang area now has only 5 poor households, making it the area with the lowest poverty rate in the entire commune. Comrade Dinh Van Nghi, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch and Head of the Dang area, said: “Cinnamon trees have fundamentally changed the lives of the people. When the cinnamon trees are 3-5 years old, people can prune the branches, earning 300-500 thousand dong per day. During the main harvesting season, the bark, leaves, and core are all sold, with almost nothing wasted; the price of fresh cinnamon bark is currently over 20,000 dong/kg. Leaves and bark are used to distill essential oils, bringing high economic value, while the cinnamon core is raw material for plywood processing facilities.”

The stable market and regular visits by traders to the orchards for purchasing provide peace of mind for local people. Beyond economic benefits, cinnamon trees play a crucial role in protecting the ecological environment. With its dense foliage and deep root system, cinnamon helps retain soil, prevent erosion, and increase forest cover. The development of cinnamon cultivation is also closely linked to forest management and protection, limiting deforestation for slash-and-burn agriculture and gradually establishing sustainable livelihoods for people in the highlands.

Recognizing the potential of cinnamon trees, the Party Committee of Trung Son commune issued Resolution No. 10-NQ/DU dated September 4, 2025, on the development of hill and forest economy, focusing on cinnamon trees, for the period 2025-2030. The resolution clearly defines the goal of building a concentrated and sustainable cinnamon growing area, linking economic development with forest resource protection and improving the lives of the people.

According to Dinh Hai Nam, Secretary of the Party Committee of Trung Son commune, developing cinnamon cultivation is not only an economic issue but also a long-term political task. When people have a stable income from the forest, they will voluntarily preserve and protect it. This is the foundation for sustainable development, and to ensure the resolution is implemented effectively, Trung Son commune is focusing on implementing many solutions simultaneously. These include prioritizing the planning and management of over 3,050 hectares of protective forest; maintaining production forests and planting approximately 100 hectares of cinnamon trees each year, striving to reach 3,000 hectares by 2030.

Along with expanding the cultivated area, the commune is promoting the transfer of science and technology, selecting high-quality cinnamon varieties, and providing training on sustainable planting, care, and harvesting processes. Simultaneously, Trung Son is gradually investing in forestry infrastructure, opening roads to forested hills, encouraging the establishment of cooperatives, and creating conditions to attract businesses processing essential oils and cinnamon products, aiming to form a closed production chain and increase the added value of the products.

The vivid experience in Trung Son shows that when the policies are correct, the resolutions are practical, and the people agree, the hill and forest economy not only brings material wealth but also builds confidence and inspires the people of all ethnic groups to strive for progress. The lush green cinnamon forests today are not only an economic asset but also a symbol of innovative thinking and a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

With a long-standing production tradition and the decisive leadership of the Party Committee and the government, cinnamon is and will continue to be a pillar of economic development, contributing to Trung Son's gradual progress and the building of a green, prosperous, and sustainable forested hill region.

Text and photos: NGOC LONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/cay-thoat-ngheo-o-trung-son-post934660.html