As spring arrives, bringing with it the fragrant scent of pomelos, many localities in the province begin processing cassava starch. Although seasonal, this profession provides a decent income for households involved, contributing to job creation for many laborers during the off-season...
In Hung Yen city, cassava flour processing is a traditional occupation in many localities such as Phuong Chieu, Hong Nam, Tan Hung communes and Hong Chau ward... Previously, households mainly processed cassava flour for family consumption. In recent years, favorable market conditions and economic benefits have encouraged many households to invest in expanding their scale and shifting towards commercial production.
These days, the atmosphere at Mr. Hoang Van Tai's family's agricultural processing workshop in Quang Trung village, Tan Hung commune (Hung Yen city) is bustling with activity. Mr. Tai said: "My family has been processing cassava starch for over 20 years. Previously, all stages were done manually, which was hard work and resulted in low productivity. To improve productivity and product quality, I invested in machines such as grinding machines, squeezing machines, stirring machines, starch filtering machines, and built a steam-powered drying system. On average, my family processes over 3 tons of finished cassava starch per season. With an average wholesale price of 130,000 VND/kg, this brings in over 100 million VND per season, while also creating jobs for about 10 local workers."
Currently, in Tan Hung commune, there are about 30 households specializing in cassava starch processing. This traditional craft has helped many households achieve economic efficiency and contributed to solving unemployment among many rural workers. On average, each large-scale facility produces 2-5 tons of finished cassava starch per season, earning a profit of about 50-100 million VND per season. Mr. Ngo Quoc Duong, Vice Chairman of the Tan Hung Commune People's Committee, said: The advantage of this production activity is that there is virtually no waste or by-products such as fiber and residue, which are entirely utilized for livestock feed or as fertilizer for crops. Besides purchasing cassava tubers from other places, many households in the commune have proactively sourced raw materials locally, cultivating cassava on over 21 acres of land. The commune is promoting and encouraging production facilities to invest in machinery, focus on ensuring food safety and hygiene, and build brands, contributing to increasing the value of cassava starch produced in Tan Hung.
The cassava starch processing season takes about two months, from around the beginning of January to the end of February according to the lunar calendar. The raw material, cassava tubers, is mainly purchased from provinces such as Hai Duong and Bac Giang. According to the experience of long-time cassava producers, tubers with a high starch content have thin skins and are evenly distributed. On average, 10 kg of fresh cassava tubers produce 1.5 - 1.8 kg of finished starch. This year, the raw material for cassava starch processing is quite abundant, but the price is 10-15% higher than last year, currently at 15,000 - 16,000 VND/kg. However, the selling price of finished cassava starch has not fluctuated much compared to last year, with wholesale prices at 130,000 - 150,000 VND/kg.
Processing cassava starch is not difficult, but each household has its own secret to ensure quality and flavor. Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, an agricultural product processor in Binh Xa village, Tien Phong commune (An Thi district), said: "I am always careful from selecting raw materials and processing techniques to the water source, and I do not use any additives to ensure safety for consumers. Currently, my family has invested in an electric agricultural product dryer to make the finished cassava starch more fragrant and delicious. In addition, it is mandatory that the starch, after being thoroughly filtered to remove impurities, must be dried for 40-80 hours depending on the type of steam or electric oven. I often use pomelo flowers and jasmine flowers to infuse with the starch to create a natural fragrance to serve the diverse needs of customers…"
In recent years, many households and cooperatives in the province have focused on investing in developing Hung Yen cassava starch products to achieve OCOP certification of 3 stars or higher; registering trademarks, creating electronic traceability labels to introduce products to the market through trade fairs inside and outside the province, on social media and e-commerce platforms…
Ms. Do Thi Ngoan, Director of Tan Hung Fruit and Agricultural Products Processing Cooperative (Hung Yen City), said: The cooperative has over 100 members, including 5 households participating in processing cassava starch, with a fresh tuber yield of about 95 tons/season, creating jobs for 25 seasonal workers. This year, the purchase price of fresh tubers increased by an average of 1,500 VND/kg. The cooperative unanimously agreed to maintain a stable wholesale price of 150,000 VND/kg and a retail price of 180,000 - 200,000 VND/kg. The cooperative's product, branded "Hung Yen Cassava Starch," received OCOP 3-star certification in 2021, so the market is favorable, and it is known to many customers inside and outside the province. To enhance brand value, we promote awareness, encourage members to learn new technologies, invest in modern machinery to improve productivity, especially ensuring food safety and hygiene, updating designs, packaging, and customer outreach methods, thereby improving the economic efficiency of this profession.
With numerous health and beauty benefits, along with outstanding quality characteristics, Hung Yen cassava starch powder enjoys stable prices and a favorable market, making it a popular choice for daily cooking or as gifts for family and friends.
Duong Mien
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