When the Co Tu people 'transform' wild plants into specialties.

Co Tu people harvesting A Rieu chili peppers. Photo: T. Thanh.

We returned to Ma Cooih commune, Dong Giang district, in the last days of the month, the sun blazing down on the chili fields. This is also the time when the Co Tu ethnic minority households begin harvesting A Rieu chili peppers. Beneath the sparse acacia forests, the chili hills appear lush green, interspersed with the red of ripe chili peppers.

The Co Tu people call this small-fruited chili pepper plant A Rieu, which means magpie. According to locals, this type of chili pepper used to grow mainly in the forest. People picked them to eat, and because of its pungent spiciness and unique aroma, they tried planting the seeds. Later, many people started growing it, each household planting a little, mainly using it as a spice or as an accompaniment to family meals. Later, people began selling it to neighbors or people from the lowlands who came to try and like this chili pepper.

Mr. Ating Ben (44 years old, Cutchơrun village) said: “My family has planted more than 300 A Riêu chili plants, and they are now yielding a good harvest. Every March, my family clears the land and sows the seeds. After about 3-4 months of care, we start harvesting. We harvest every 15 days for about 6 months, then we plant new plants. Unexpectedly, relying on this has changed our lives.”

In 2016, the Ma Cooih Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative was established, purchasing chili peppers from local farmers. Thanks to a stable market, many households have improved their economic situation by growing A Rieu chili peppers. After harvesting, farmers sell their chili peppers to the cooperative for about 200,000 - 250,000 VND/kg, depending on the time of year. During the off-season, the price can sometimes reach 400,000 VND/kg. Each harvest brings in about 13-15 million VND for a family.

Not only in Ma Cooih, but the A Rieu chili plant has also been propagated and widely cultivated in several communes in the mountainous districts of Quang Nam province, such as Dong Giang, Tay Giang, and Nam Tra My. However, according to Mr. A Lang Dien – Director of the Ma Cooih Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, the A Rieu chili grown in the commune still has a richer flavor and more aroma than those grown elsewhere. Over the past time, this specialty crop has helped many households improve their livelihoods and escape poverty.

Since the beginning of the year, the cooperative has supported 10 households with approximately 10,000 seedlings and guided them on the most effective planting methods. After harvesting, the farmers can sell the seedlings back to the cooperative or elsewhere if the price is high. The cooperative's purchase price varies depending on the time of year, currently ranging from 180,000 to 200,000 VND per kilogram.

After purchasing the chili peppers, members of the cooperative will process them into various products and sell them on the market at prices ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 VND/kg, depending on the product. Fresh chili peppers are sold by the cooperative for approximately 250,000 VND/kg. “In the future, we will continue to support farmers with seedlings for those who register to grow them, and at the same time, seek outlets with larger businesses, thereby helping farmers feel secure in growing chili peppers to develop their economy,” Mr. Dien said.

Mr. Arat Boi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ma Cooih commune, said: From a wild plant growing in the forest, A Rieu chili has now become a 3-star OCOP product of the province, contributing greatly to promoting local economic development. With A Rieu chili plants intercropped under acacia forests or on hillside land, each household can earn from 20 to 50 million VND per year depending on the planted area and yield.

Mr. Do Huu Tung, Vice Chairman of the Dong Giang District People's Committee, said: "Recently, the District People's Committee organized the first A Rieu Chili Festival at the Dong Giang Sky Gate Eco- tourism Area. The festival aims to introduce and promote tourism and A Rieu chili products, linked with the development of medicinal plants and eco-tourism, to visitors from within and outside the province. It stimulates tourism at the Sky Gate eco-tourism destination, linked with the development of A Rieu chili products, creating conditions for connecting tourism routes in the future. This is also an opportunity to encourage cooperatives, production groups, and households to participate in connecting and introducing local agricultural products, especially A Rieu chili," Mr. Tung added.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/khi-nguoi-co-tu-ho-bien-cay-dai-thanh-dac-san-10290079.html