Lao Cai has the ambition to become a new raw material area for precious medicinal plants.

Attending the workshop, on behalf of Lao Cai province, there were Mr. Hoang Giang, Deputy Secretary of Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee; Duong Duc Huy, Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Head of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department; representatives of a number of departments, branches, localities and households growing star anise in the province.

In addition, the workshop was attended by a number of research experts from the Forestry Science Institute, the Forestry Department (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development); the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association; a number of enterprises producing, trading and exporting star anise products in Vietnam...

Workshop on the potential development of star anise industry in Lao Cai province. Photo: Spring.

At the workshop, Mr. To Manh Tien, Vice Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Lao Cai province, said: Preliminary investigation results show that star anise has been planted in Ta Ngai Cho commune, Muong Khuong district; Bac Ha town, Nam Det commune, Bac Ha district for many years and has grown well, now producing products (star anise). Star anise trees in this area are grown at an altitude of over 800m above sea level.

From 2017 to 2021, a trial planting was conducted in Ta Ngai Cho commune, Muong Khuong district, about 57 hectares; 1 hectare in Ta Van Chu commune, Bac Ha district. The anise area developed well and the areas planted in 2017 and 2018 have flowered.

Lao Cai highlands have a large area of ​​forestry land, accounting for about 60% of the land area planned for forestry and currently have not identified forestry crops that bring economic efficiency, contribute to greening bare hills and mountains, minimize impacts on natural forests, change people's awareness and reduce encroachment, deforestation and forest fires in highlands.

From the results of the test in Muong Khuong, Bac Ha and the above market research, it shows that the development of star anise raw material areas in Lao Cai is highly feasible. If developed, it will create an export industry, increase income for farmers and contribute to increasing forest cover, implementing the carbon credit buying and selling mechanism.

Dr. Truong Tat Do, Department of Forestry - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development spoke at the Workshop. Photo: Spring.

At the workshop, delegates focused on discussing the following contents: Development of non-timber forest products; including star anise associated with sustainable forestry development, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, access to carbon credit market. Results of star anise trial planting in Ta Ngai Cho commune - Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province from 2017 to present and proposed solutions; current status of star anise industry in Vietnam and development potential; pests and diseases on star anise, effective solutions to develop organic star anise products...

Star anise and cinnamon export output in 3 years 2021 - 2023 and 8 months of 2024; international market demand and product standard requirements when exporting spice products. Technical solutions to increase the rate of star anise flowering and fruiting; improve the productivity and quality of star anise products to increase farmers' income. Difficulties and challenges when exporting spice products to the international market and recommendations to Lao Cai province on developing the star anise and cinnamon industry.

According to information from the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), in 2023, star anise export output to 80 countries and territories reached 16,136 tons and in the first 8 months of 2024 reached more than 9,800 tons, with a value of 41.9 million USD.

Ms. Hoang Thi Lien, President of the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, shares about the current situation of the star anise industry in Vietnam and its development potential. Photo: Spring.

Presenting the results of the trial planting of star anise in Ta Ngai Cho commune - Muong Khuong district from 2017 to present, Mr. Vu Hong Diep, Deputy Head of Lao Cai Provincial Forest Protection Department informed: After many years of implementing the project, the Provincial Forest Protection Department, together with the Party Committee and the commune government, has promoted and mobilized 69 households to participate in the project to plant 57 hectares of star anise in Ta Ngai Cho commune.

To date, the aniseed area planted since 2017 has flowered and set fruit. However, because the aniseed area is still small and in the first years of flowering, the yield is low, households mainly harvest for family use and small retail sales at the market.

In Muong Khuong district, the selling price of star anise is from 40,000-50,000 VND/kg for fresh flowers, about 300,000 VND/kg for dried flowers. Because the newly planted area has just started flowering in the first years, the yield and economic efficiency have not been accurately assessed.

Mr. Vu Hong Diep, Deputy Head of Lao Cai Provincial Forest Protection Department, informed about the results of star anise trial planting. Photo: Spring.

Mr. Vu Hong Diep suggested that, in addition to the direction and implementation of the project's host unit, the participation of local Party committees, authorities and specialized agencies at the district level is needed in the care, protection and harvesting of the flowering aniseed area.

To have a basis for proposing the expansion of star anise material areas, it is necessary to continue evaluating economic efficiency; research and select auxiliary crops under the star anise canopy to generate additional income while waiting for the star anise trees to be harvested.

New anise planting should be done at a density of 830 trees/ha and people are encouraged to intercrop with supporting crops (rice, corn, buckwheat, ...) from the first year.

Delegates visited Ta Ngai Cho commune, Muong Khuong district (Lao Cai) to visit the star anise planting project and some star anise trees that have been grown for many years by local people in the commune. Photo: Spring.

Also at the workshop, Dr. Truong Tat Do, Department of Forestry - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shared about the development of non-timber forest products, including star anise, associated with sustainable forestry development, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and accessing the carbon credit market.

Vietnam's exported non-timber forest products are of good quality but of average or low quality, without brands or labels, and are often purchased and labeled by foreign enterprises.

According to Dr. Truong Tat Do, the main star anise growing areas are currently distributed mainly in Van Quan (Lang Son), Binh Lieu (Quang Ninh), Cho Moi (Bac Kan) and in the future in Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province. Because star anise is a woody, perennial tree, with the ability to protect and store forest carbon.

Mr. To Viet Thanh, Vice Chairman of Muong Khuong District People's Committee, Lao Cai Province, spoke.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. To Viet Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Khuong District, Lao Cai Province, said that the lives of local people still face many difficulties. Currently, the district is prioritizing the planting of key crops according to Resolution 10 of the Standing Committee of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee.

Star anise is a new crop, so people are still hesitant, the economic quality of this crop is not yet feasible. Through visits to Lang Son province, star anise cultivation is growing well but has not yet brought economic efficiency. Besides, star anise is very tall, difficult to harvest...

Mr. To Viet Thanh hopes that departments and branches of Lao Cai province will continue to build a testing model to evaluate star anise. He suggested that Lao Cai province have preferential policies when first planting star anise. Research the consumption market, call for and attract businesses to invest to have a stable output for star anise products.

Star anise trees in Muong Khuong district (Lao Cai) have bloomed. Photo: Spring.

Concluding the workshop, Mr. Bui Quang Hung, Chairman of the Lao Cai Farmers' Association, said that from practical experience and land potential, qualified human resources, it is confirmed that star anise grows well and will bring income to Lao Cai farmers when forming a key industry of the province.

Therefore, the Provincial Farmers' Association will preside over the relevant departments and branches of the province, Bac Ha, Muong Khuong, Si Ma Cai, Bat Xat districts to visit, study and learn about the market, connect businesses in developing raw material areas and exporting star anise products. Preside over the development of a project to propagate and mobilize farmer members to actively participate in building the star anise value chain.

Star anise trees planted in 2018 in Ta Ngai Cho commune, Muong Khuong district (Lao Cai) are about 2m tall and have begun to flower. Photo: Spring.

Lao Cai Farmers' Association will receive and synthesize suggestions from localities, experts, scientists, and businesses to prepare a proposal document and advise the Provincial People's Committee.

At the same time, we hope to continue to receive the attention and support of experts, scientists, and businesses to support Lao Cai province in the coming time. We hope that the sectors and localities will unify their proposals to the province to have a common policy; we ask households to continue to maintain, care for, and develop the existing aniseed area.

Mr. Bui Quang Hung, Chairman of Lao Cai Farmers' Association, delivered a concluding speech at the Workshop. Photo: Spring.

Before attending the Workshop on the potential development of star anise industry in Lao Cai province, on October 10, delegates visited Ta Ngai Cho commune, Muong Khuong district (Lao Cai) to visit the star anise planting model. This is a project funded by the Japan Forestry Promotion and International Cooperation Center (JIFPRO).

With the active and proactive implementation of the JIFPRO Project Team, the participation of local authorities and especially the active participation of households, the models were implemented as planned and initially achieved positive results with high survival rates, average development, and some well-developed areas have produced flowers.

Source: https://danviet.vn/lao-cai-tham-vong-tro-thanh-vung-nguyen-lieu-moi-cua-loai-cay-duoc-lieu-quy-20241011084425437.htm