Promoting the potential of forming a medicinal economic sector

Uyen Thuan Cooperative, Phu Yen Commune introduces medicinal products.

The whole province currently has more than 670,000 hectares of forestry land, of which 86,000 hectares can be combined with growing medicinal herbs under the forest canopy. Up to now, there are 16,145 hectares of medicinal plants, with an output of about 25,992 tons, concentrated in the areas: Song Ma, Moc Chau, Bac Yen, Muong La, Van Ho. Key species include: Hawthorn, Java lemongrass, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, an xoa, coix... In recent years, the province has issued many important policies to promote the development of the medicinal herbs sector, such as: Decision No. 3256/QD-UBND approving the planning project for the development of medicinal herbs in Son La province, setting the target of forming a production area of about 50,000 hectares by 2030, with an output of 500,000 tons, building 30 preservation facilities and 33 facilities or factories for processing and extracting medicinal herbs that meet standards; Decision No. 22/2024/QD-UBND stipulates the mechanism for supporting investment in infrastructure, plant varieties, technical training, trade promotion, prioritizing projects employing ethnic minority workers and implementing them in particularly difficult areas... This is considered a specific step to form a medicinal value chain associated with the goal of sustainable poverty reduction and green economic development.

Thanks to the right orientation and support policies, many models of growing and processing medicinal herbs have been formed, gradually expanding concentrated raw material areas, creating close links between people - cooperatives - enterprises. The whole province currently has 36 organizations, cooperatives and enterprises growing and processing medicinal herbs; 3 safe supply chains are maintained in Bac Yen and Thuan Chau areas. Medicinal products are increasingly diverse, many products are certified with 3-4 star OCOP, participating in the national distribution system, contributing to increasing people's income and promoting rural economic development. The whole province has about 40 small and medium-sized medicinal herb processing facilities, mainly performing the stages of drying, grinding, extracting essential oils, roasting, packaging... contributing to increasing product value and creating jobs for rural workers. In particular, the product "Son La Son Tra Apple " has been granted a certified trademark by the Department of Intellectual Property, creating a foundation for developing the brand "Son La Medicinal Herbs" in the coming time.

Cardamom growing model under forest canopy of Xim Vang commune people.

In addition to the achievements, the medicinal plant industry still faces many difficulties, such as fragmented raw material areas, lack of chain linkage; untested seed sources; limited deep processing technology; research and testing facilities that do not meet requirements. Some credit, land and crop insurance policies are still inadequate, making it difficult to expand production and invest in raw material areas. In some places, people still spontaneously exploit natural medicinal plants, affecting gene sources and product quality.

Developing medicinal herbs not only brings economic value but also contributes to environmental protection, preserving precious genetic resources and indigenous knowledge of ethnic minorities. With natural potential, synchronous policies and joint efforts of the State, businesses and people, Son La is gradually realizing the goal of becoming the medicinal herb center of the Northwest region.