Get rich from turmeric growing model

Technical staff of Ngoc Son Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative check the quality of turmeric before harvesting and processing.

Turmeric has been grown by people in Minh Ngoc and Minh Son communes for a long time. Previously, people grew it to serve their family's needs, and some of it was sold to traders. However, due to the lack of close links, turmeric did not have a stable output, and prices were often forced down. There were times when turmeric could not be sold and was left on the roadside.

Ms. Tran Thi Sau, Director of Ngoc Son Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, said: “Through research, I learned that turmeric can produce many products that are very good for human health, especially naturally grown turmeric. From there, I had the idea of starting a business from a model of cooperation with local people to grow and produce turmeric starch.”

After a long period of research, in 2015, Ms. Sau decided to invest billions of dong in a turmeric starch production line. Turmeric is grown naturally, so the quality is good, and the starch products are sold as soon as they are produced. In the first year of testing, 500 kg of turmeric starch produced by the facility was sold out.

From the initial success, in 2016, Ms. Sau decided to establish Ngoc Son Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative to expand the scale of cooperation with the people, and at the same time expand the scale of production. From the initial raw turmeric starch products, by 2018, the cooperative had invested in a modern turmeric starch extraction line such as grinders, dryers, packaging machines, starch settling machines, built new processing areas and drying houses, and repaired and upgraded raw material storage. From the modern processing line, dozens of products made from turmeric have been produced.

Ms. Sau added that in the process of implementing the turmeric starch production linkage model, the cooperative also met the regulations on product quality such as product protection labels; code information, barcodes; product quality inspection to meet requirements, and was granted a certificate of food hygiene and safety. The cooperative received support from local authorities and functional agencies, specifically support for turmeric starch processing lines; consulting on designing eye-catching product designs and packaging; support for promoting and introducing products, so turmeric starch products are known to consumers nationwide. Up to now, the cooperative has had 9 products processed from turmeric recognized as OCOP products from 3 to 4 stars. In recent years, the cooperative's revenue has fluctuated from 3 to 5 billion VND per year.

Up to now, the cooperative has linked up with about 80 households in Minh Ngoc and Minh Son communes to grow turmeric with a raw material area of about 100 hectares. The cooperative supports people with seeds, fertilizers, technical guidance and guarantees the purchase of all products at prices equal to or higher than market prices. Each year, the cooperative purchases about 500 tons of fresh turmeric from people at prices ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 VND/kg. Currently, the cooperative is contacting partners to produce products for export to the US market. Therefore, in the coming years, the cooperative will continue to expand the scale of cooperation as well as invest in machinery, diversifying products sold to the market.

The turmeric growing linkage model has helped many poor households in ethnic minority areas have a stable source of income, typically the family of Ms. Mua Thi My, Bo Peng village, Minh Son commune. Taking advantage of hilly garden land and converting part of the low-yield corn growing area to grow turmeric, each year Ms. My's family also has a stable source of income from turmeric. Ms. My said: "Participating in the linkage model, my family was supported with seeds, fertilizers and technical guidance, so the turmeric plants grew very well. With nearly 1 hectare of turmeric, my family also has an income of more than 50 million VND/year. Compared to other crops, turmeric is easy to grow, does not require much care, has few pests and diseases, and has a high selling price."

According to Mr. Truong Trung Son, Chairman of the People's Committee of Minh Ngoc Commune, this linkage model has helped the commune form a concentrated commercial turmeric production area and develop typical agricultural products. Most importantly, growing turmeric helps people have a stable and good income, and turmeric cultivation does not affect the area and productivity of other traditional agricultural crops because turmeric can be intercropped with other crops. Therefore, the local government will create all conditions for Ngoc Son Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative to expand the linkage model of turmeric starch production.

Article and photos: KHANH TOAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/lam-giau-tu-mo-hinh-trong-nghe-post901149.html