Elevate products, take brands further

The northern mountains of Thai Nguyen province are rich in medicinal potential. Among them, turmeric, once considered a “poor man’s” plant, has now become a stable source of livelihood for many farming households. Thanks to production linkages, the application of deep processing technology and participation in the “One Commune One Product” (OCOP) Program, many cooperatives and enterprises have increased the value of turmeric starch, bringing the highland brand to the domestic and international markets.

Turmeric brings a stable source of income to many farming households in the northern communes of the province.

Great potential from turmeric

There are few plants that can adapt to many regions, from the mountains to the plains, like turmeric. Just a small branch planted in the ground can yield 1-2 kg of tubers after a year.

Turmeric is easy to grow and requires little care, but for many years people still consider it a secondary crop, intercropped to take advantage of vacant land, mainly selling fresh tubers or as spices. Due to low prices and unstable output, turmeric products have almost no brand.

The yellow turmeric variety in the old Bac Kan region is suitable for the climate and soil conditions, and can yield more than 4 tons/ha. However, in the past, due to small-scale production practices and little investment in care, the economic value was not commensurate with the potential. Currently, with the increasing demand in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, turmeric is gradually recognized as a valuable commodity crop, bringing about clear economic efficiency.

Mr. Nguyen Van Luyen, a resident of Phong Quang commune, shared: Previously, turmeric was only sold fresh, at a price of a few thousand dong per kilo. Now, with a contract for consumption and proper technical guidance, people feel more secure in investing, and the land is also used effectively.

According to agricultural experts, the highlands in the northern communes of Thai Nguyen have a thick layer of humus, rich in nutrients, considered "clean" and very suitable for growing turmeric. It is these natural conditions that help the native yellow glutinous turmeric have a high content of curcumin, a precious active ingredient in medicinal herbs.

Mr. Ha Van Cuong, Director of Bac Kan Agricultural Products Joint Stock Company, said: Before investing, I researched, tested in practice and found that growing turmeric in mountainous areas brings long-term efficiency for both businesses and farmers. Up to now, Bac Kan Agricultural Products Joint Stock Company has developed dozens of products from turmeric, expanding domestic and foreign consumption markets.

Upgrading with OCOP

In the past 5-7 years, along with the policy of developing medicinal plants and the OCOP Program, turmeric has been repositioned in the agricultural economic structure.

Many enterprises and cooperatives in the northern communes focus on building raw material areas, applying organic farming processes, investing in starch processing technology, capsules and pure curcumin extraction. Many units have created their own brands, bringing products to participate in OCOP to increase value and reputation in the market.

Curcumin turmeric is a typical product line of Bac Ha Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le, Deputy Director of Bac Ha Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, shared: Realizing the high value of Bac Kan yellow turmeric, a few years ago we researched and produced the Vi-Cumax Nano Curcumin product line with a purity of up to 95%. To date, Bac Ha Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company has three products achieving 5-star OCOP at the national level.

Among more than 500 OCOP products of Thai Nguyen today, turmeric starch is one of the typical products of the medicinal herb group. In addition to the Vicumax Nano Curcumin product set of Bac Ha Curcumin Joint Stock Company achieving 5-star OCOP, there are many other highly appreciated products such as: Red and black glutinous rice turmeric starch of Tan Thanh Agricultural Cooperative; turmeric essence, honey turmeric pills of Bac Kan Agricultural Products Joint Stock Company...

Not only conquering the domestic market, many turmeric products of the province have been exported to India, Ukraine, Taiwan (China), France, the US, and Japan. This is the result of persistent investment in technology, quality standards, and branding strategies from native crops.

Notably, some highland communes such as Phong Quang, Cao Minh... used to be closed turmeric material areas, certified ecologically by the Control Union (EU). With the majority of the population being ethnic minorities, the development of turmeric as a key crop has created stable jobs, contributed to improving the lives, and gradually changed the production habits of the people in the highlands.

Along with the OCOP cycle, indigenous turmeric is gradually being “taken wing”, increasing its economic value and affirming its position in the group of key medicinal plants of the province. If there is synchronous investment in raw material areas, processing technology and branding strategy, turmeric can completely become a typical agricultural product of Thai Nguyen, contributing positively to the goal of developing ecological agriculture, sustainable rural areas and increasing income for people in the highlands.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202511/nang-tam-san-pham-dua-thuong-hieuvuon-xa-5dc1777/