Huong Son planting Mai day trees brings "double" benefits

09:47, August 29, 2023

BHG - The Mai day tree, planted on the hill in Huong Son commune (Quang Binh), can be harvested after 6 months of planting, and after one year of planting, it can be harvested for both leaves and bamboo shoots. In addition to economic benefits, the Mai day tree also has the effect of greening barren land and hills. The benefits of planting Mai day trees are becoming the development goal of this locality.

Mai day tree hill of Ms. Ban Thi Nhung, Nghe village, after 1 year of planting, has been harvested for leaves and bamboo shoots.

Chairman of Huong Son Commune People's Committee, Hoang Van Nguon happily revealed: Huong Son is focusing on developing Mai day trees on vacant land, bare hills and replacing areas of orange trees that have died. Mai day trees planted in Huong Son have good adaptability, grow strongly and are bringing economic and environmental benefits. Currently, the purchase price of each kg of Mai day leaves ranges from 15 - 18 thousand VND/kg. And each kg of Mai day bamboo shoots is purchased from 5 - 8 thousand VND/kg. The rapid growth of the tree creates quite an impressive coverage on the hill, which has the effect of creating a source of water, stored in the ground every time it rains. And it is the permeability of rainwater that creates a reserve of underground water for the soil, both preventing erosion and creating an environment for beneficial microorganisms in the soil to develop, making the soil loose. More importantly, Mai day trees also create a sustainable livelihood for people from harvesting leaves and bamboo shoots. Mai day leaves are purchased and exported stably by establishments. Mai day bamboo shoots are a food source for consumers with a wide open market... Mr. Nguon added: Huong Son Commune People's Committee is focusing on directing people in villages to plant about 30 - 35 hectares of Mai day trees right at the end of the year. In the immediate future, focus on seeds and fertilizers to plant Mai day trees on orange growing areas that are affected by disease. Gradually cover the remaining bare land and hills in villages and hamlets with green cover. Combine the replacement planting of Mai day trees with the Program to improve gardens and mixed hills, creating sustainable livelihoods for people. Right in the third quarter of this year, Huong Son will strive to plant about 30 hectares of Mai day trees. Currently, the Commune People's Committee has developed a plan to graft and propagate on the spot. Build a nursery that ensures quality and is sufficient to grow 150 hectares of Mai day trees by 2024. Aim to increase the Mai day growing area from 300 hectares to 500 hectares by 2025, creating a large enough commodity area to meet the demand for exporting products abroad. This means making the most of local land and labor resources to develop Mai day trees sustainably.

Mai day bamboo shoots are a regular and stable source of income of about 3 million VND/ha/month and continuously for 8 months/year for the people of Nghe village.

Nghe village is the village with the leading individuals converting gardens and hills to grow Mai day trees. Ms. Ban Thi Nhung, a villager, said: At the beginning of the season, the average purchase price of Mai day bamboo shoots was 10 - 12 thousand VND/kg. Now it fluctuates from 5 - 8 thousand VND/kg. On average, Mai day trees yield 3 batches of bamboo shoots per month, equivalent to 3.5 quintals/ha/month. For leaves, there are at least 3 batches per month, each batch from 1.3 - 1.5 quintals/ha, about 7 tons/year, equivalent to an income of about 75 - 80 million VND. The total revenue from leaves and bamboo shoots of Mai day trees planted 1 year old is about 110 - 120 million VND/year. Nghe village currently has 5 families that have planted 10 hectares of Mai day trees that are being harvested. Recently, with the support and assistance of the commune government, Ms. Nhung has established a Mai day growing cooperative. At this time, the members of the cooperative are taking advantage of the time to harvest leaves, bamboo shoots and bundle branches for propagation, build tree nurseries, and expand the area into a commodity area. The market for products from Mai day trees is still very large, and support and investment from the State are needed so that Huong Son farmers have more capital to grow Mai day trees into an export area.

Hopefully, the wishes of Ms. Nhung and the people of Nghe village and other villages in Huong Son commune regarding capital for planting Mai day trees will be promptly supported by the State. I promise to return to Huong Son to enjoy the harvest seasons of Mai day leaves and bamboo shoots with the people to eliminate all difficulties and move towards wealth on the hills of my homeland.

Article and photos: Nguyen Hung

Source