Workshop to solicit feedback on the geographical indication dossier for "Lai Chau Ginseng"

Conference scene

Attending the workshop were representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Industry and Trade; Science and Technology; the Forest Protection Department; representatives from communes where Lai Chau ginseng is grown: Muong Khoa; Khun Ha; Dao San, Si Lo Lau, Pu Sam Cap…; representatives from the Lai Chau Ginseng Association, cooperatives, and ginseng-growing households in the province. Dr. Nguyen Toan Thang - Deputy Director of the Institute of Forestry Research (a unit under the Vietnam Academy of Forestry Science ) and Ms. Bui Thi Le Dung - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology co-chaired the workshop.

Ms. Bui Thi Le Dung, M.Sc. – Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, delivered the opening remarks at the workshop.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Bui Thi Le Dung emphasized: Lai Chau Ginseng – a rare and endemic plant with significant scientific and medicinal value. Lai Chau Ginseng has a narrow distribution at altitudes of 1,400-2,200m and is currently being cultivated in 19 communes in Lai Chau province. Lai Chau Ginseng is used as medicine and a health tonic due to its main component, Saponin, particularly the high content of Saponin MR2. The recognition of the Lai Chau Ginseng Geographical Indication will affirm the potential and value of the product, creating a competitive advantage in domestic and international markets, contributing to poverty reduction and stabilizing livelihoods for people in mountainous areas. Building the Geographical Indication dossier is a crucial task requiring the cooperation of management agencies, scientists, businesses, and the people. The comrade suggested that managers, scientists, businesses, and cooperatives focus on the following aspects: the accuracy and completeness of descriptions of the characteristics, quality, specificity, and reputation of the product; the feasibility of regulations for managing and controlling geographical indications; reviewing protected geographical map areas; and proposing solutions for post-protection management.

Comrade Nguyen Trong Lich – Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, delivered his remarks.

At the workshop, delegates listened to the organizing unit present the dossier on the geographical indication for Lai Chau ginseng: Regulations on the management of geographical indications; the reputation, characteristics, and distinctive quality of ginseng root products bearing the geographical indication "Lai Chau"; Map of the geographical area of Lai Chau ginseng; and logo of the product protected under the geographical indication of Lai Chau ginseng.

Comrade Nguyen Hung Cuong – Office of the Provincial People's Committee, delivered a speech.

During the workshop, delegates focused their opinions on the regulations for managing the geographical indication of Lai Chau ginseng; the reputation description was comprehensive and complete, but needed updating regarding the geographical location of Lai Chau province, and clarification of the analytical methods such as sampling from natural or planted forests, altitude zones, etc.

Dr. Nguyen Toan Thang – Deputy Director of the Institute of Forestry Research, delivered a speech.

At the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Toan Thang and other scientists, businesses, and cooperatives discussed and agreed on a logo, growing area, and additional information to clarify the reputation and unique characteristics of Lai Chau ginseng products.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Bui Thi Le Dung suggested that the Vietnam Forestry Science Institute coordinate with management agencies, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Lai Chau Ginseng Association, and businesses and cooperatives growing Lai Chau ginseng in the province to revise and complete the geographical indication dossier.

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