Hung Khanh develops organic tea products.

On a cool autumn day, when a gentle rain falls across the hillsides, the tea plantations in Hung Khanh commune burst with life. The tender green tea buds, emitting a delicate fragrance, herald a bountiful harvest. For the people here, tea is not only a staple crop but also the "soul" of the land, intertwined with their heritage for generations and contributing to the unique brand of this agricultural product.

Having been involved with tea cultivation for over 40 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh in Khe Nam village understands that this is the best tea harvest of the year, promising high income and contributing to promoting the local tea brand.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh (on the left) takes advantage of the early morning to go to the tea plantation to harvest tea leaves.

Mr. Vinh shared: “Through many harvests, I still find the autumn tea to be the best, because the tea buds grow evenly and are less susceptible to pests and diseases. The tea usually produces a clear green liquor with a sweet aftertaste. Thanks to its consistent quality, our tea is sought after by traders who buy it directly from the farm, and the prices are also better, making the people very happy. Therefore, the lives of tea growers here are gradually stabilizing, with enough to eat and spend, and providing for their children's education.”

With over 7,000 m² of various tea plants, Mr. Vinh's family harvests 4-5 quintals of fresh tea leaves annually, which, after processing, yields about 2-3 quintals of dried tea, providing a significant source of income for the family.

The autumn tea harvest in Hung Khanh is considered by locals to be the best quality of the year.

Tea cultivation has been a part of Hung Khanh commune's life since the 1970s. Since 2006, the commune has actively promoted and encouraged people to apply scientific and technological advancements, introducing the Bat Tien tea variety to replace less productive areas. As a result, the commune now has over 190 hectares of tea plantations, of which 90 hectares are Bat Tien tea grown according to VietGAP standards, creating a solid foundation for brand building and enhancing product value.

Mr. Tran Van Thanh, Deputy Director of Khe Nam Tea Cooperative, packages Bat Tien Hung Khanh tea products.

Leveraging the strengths of the local raw material area and the tea-growing experience of the people, in 2020, the Khe Nam Tea Cooperative was established with 7 official members and linked with 80 tea-growing households in the area. The cooperative currently has over 100 hectares of tea, including 65 hectares newly planted since 2023 according to Resolution 69 of the former Yen Bai province, which have now begun to yield harvests, and over 20 hectares currently in the main harvesting season.

Each year, the cooperative purchases approximately 30 tons of fresh tea leaves, processes them, and sells 5-6 tons of dried tea. This year alone, the purchase price of fresh tea reached 24,000 VND/kg. After processing, the dried tea products are sold on the market for between 250,000 and 700,000 VND/kg, bringing in an average income of about 6 million VND per month for each cooperative member.

Mr. Tran Van Thanh, Deputy Director of Khe Nam Tea Cooperative, said: "When the cooperative was established, we received attention and support from the Party, the State, and the local government. From organization and management to building product brands, we received dedicated guidance and support."

Currently, the Hung Khanh tea growing area has established a production zone that meets VietGAP standards, aiming towards organic production. The Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology is collaborating on the implementation of an organic tea model covering 9 hectares, with the goal of converting the entire raw material area to safe production throughout the commune. This will be a driving force for the Khe Nam Tea Cooperative to continue developing.

Mr. Tran Van Thanh, Deputy Director of Khe Nam Tea Cooperative, introduced the newly invested tea roasting and rolling machines.

Aiming to further expand the area of ​​raw material production, Mr. Thanh added: "We will continue to encourage people to switch from old, midland tea varieties to Bat Tien tea through programs supporting seedlings and fertilizers; and training courses on cultivation and harvesting techniques according to standards for tea growers."

In addition, the cooperative has boldly invested in modern roasting and rolling machines with adjustable speed and temperature; built a moisture-proof, vacuum-sealed processing system to ensure a closed processing process, improving product quality and appearance. As a result, the cooperative can produce over 200 kg of finished dried tea per day. Notably, Hung Khanh tea products have developed their own brand, registered for traceability, and received OCOP 4-star provincial certification for Hung Khanh specialty Bat Tien tea and OCOP 3-star certification for Hung Khanh green tea.

Khe Nam Tea Cooperative currently has one product, Bat Tien tea, a specialty of Hung Khanh, that has been awarded a 4-star OCOP certification, and one product, Hung Khanh green tea, that has achieved a 3-star OCOP certification.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung Khanh commune, Bat Tien tea is currently one of the three main crops of the commune. Although the area is not yet large, expected to reach 100 hectares of commercial production by 2026, it brings very high economic value.

“In the coming time, the commune will continue to maintain and upgrade the 3-star and 4-star OCOP products of Bat Tien tea, developing them in an organic and sustainable direction. At the same time, we will mobilize the entire political system to promote and find stable markets for the product; expand the raw material area, link with businesses to promote processing technology, create jobs and increase income for the people,” Mr. Tuan Anh said.

Thanks to the efforts of the government, cooperatives, and tea growers, Hung Khanh tea is gradually asserting its position in the market, becoming a distinctive product with the rich flavor of the Northwest mountains and forests.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/hung-khanh-phat-develop-organic-tea-products-post886685.html