Economics graduate transforms turmeric into a 3-star OCOP product.

Based on her own experience and research, Ms. Vo Thi Thu Hang (born in 1985, residing in Hamlet 5, Son Tra Commune, Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province) has produced products from turmeric and elevated them to OCOP 3-star standard.

Video : The production process of pure turmeric starch at Thu Hang facility.

Born and raised in a large family in Huong Long commune (Huong Khe district), in 2007, Ms. Vo Thi Thu Hang graduated from the University of Commerce ( Hanoi ), then worked as an accountant at Thach Khe Iron Joint Stock Company (Ha Tinh province). In 2010, she transferred to Vinh City, Nghe An province. In 2013, after marrying Mr. Le Quang Hoa, a construction engineer, Ms. Thu Hang quit her job and moved permanently to her husband's hometown (Hamlet 5, Son Tra commune, Huong Son district).

According to Ms. Hang, she suffered from intestinal and stomach problems since her student days and had sought treatment in many places, but her condition did not improve. By chance, a friend in Vinh City introduced her to turmeric powder extracted from red turmeric – a plant commonly used in cooking – to treat stomach ailments. Furthermore, this plant is also said to help women achieve smooth, blemish-free skin.

Turmeric starch at Thu Hang facility is produced according to a strict process.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to learn how to extract turmeric starch for personal use, Ms. Hang diligently researched, learned from the experiences of others, and successfully experimented with turmeric starch production in 2015.

This turmeric and honey capsule product is manufactured by our company.

However, due to being busy with young children, the production of turmeric starch had to be put on hold. In 2018, Ms. Hang rekindled the idea of ​​producing turmeric starch. After discussing it with her husband, she began purchasing some machinery, researching the market, and sourcing raw materials to produce turmeric starch from readily available sources in Huong Son district and other localities in Ha Tinh province.

“The raw materials are a crucial factor determining product quality. Therefore, the turmeric must be the kind that, when harvested, has a reddish-orange color, is grown for at least one year, and harvested between December of this year and May (Gregorian calendar) of the following year. Only this type of turmeric can produce high-quality turmeric starch,” Ms. Thu Hang shared.

To establish a foothold in the market, businesses need to invest in eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing labels and designs.

According to Ms. Thu Hang, the process of producing turmeric starch is nothing special, but it requires patience and meticulousness. For each batch of powder, the producer must carefully select the raw materials, thoroughly prepare them, and carry out the extraction process ensuring the correct ratio and procedure.

Fresh turmeric, after being washed to remove soil, is peeled and then put into a grinding and pressing machine. The pulp is separated for about 10 minutes and then passed through a filtration system to remove impurities. After letting the turmeric powder settle for about 7-8 hours, it is filtered several more times to remove impurities, especially turmeric oil. Next, the batches of turmeric are freeze-dried for 3-5 days (at a temperature of 19-20 degrees Celsius) to allow the turmeric starch to dry slowly while preserving its characteristic flavor and nutrients.

On average, the production facility owned by Ms. Thu Hang produces 25kg of pure turmeric starch per day (from 500kg of fresh turmeric). Compared to similar products on the market, the facility's turmeric starch is relatively competitively priced (400,000 VND/box/kg).

Each year, the facility produces approximately 1.8 tons of turmeric starch, generating revenue of 650-700 million VND (excluding 400 million VND from other product lines); providing stable employment for 4-5 workers with an average income of 6 million VND per person per month. The facility's products are distributed not only within the province but also to many provinces and cities nationwide.

The establishment's overarching slogan is "Your satisfaction with the quality of our products is our happiness."

Since 2022, Ms. Thu Hang has invested over 300 million VND to expand her workshop and purchase additional machinery such as: a fine grinding machine, a continuous grinding and pressing machine, and a continuous packaging and pressing machine to enhance the quality of her products. In June 2023, Thu Hang's turmeric starch product was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product by Huong Son district.

The product has also won numerous awards at competitions organized by the district and province. In particular, Thu Hang's turmeric starch product won an award at the 2022 Ha Tinh Province Creative Women's Entrepreneurship Ideas Competition.

Currently, the facility offers several main product lines, including: pure turmeric starch (OCOP product), pure turmeric powder; cereals for the elderly, those gaining weight, and those losing weight; Polygonum multiflorum; wild myrtle (fresh and dried); turmeric and honey capsules... With the overarching goal of "Your satisfaction with the quality is our happiness," the facility always prioritizes product quality, saying no to additives to provide consumers with the best and safest products.

During the evaluation in June 2023, Thu Hang's pure turmeric starch was the only product in the area to be recognized by Huong Son district as achieving OCOP 3-star standard. This will be a stepping stone for the facility to continue developing and expanding its product reach; thereby not only increasing economic efficiency and generating income for farmer members, but also indirectly creating jobs for many local workers.

Mr. Le Dinh Phuoc

Vice Chairman of Huong Son Farmers' Association

Hoai Nam

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/khoi-nghiep/cu-nhan-kinh-te-bien-cay-nghe-thanh-san-pham-ocop-3-sao/252812.htm