Developing Vo Nhai tea trees: From old ways to new thinking

Officials from Truc Mai hamlet, Lau Thuong commune (Vo Nhai) instruct people on how to properly care for tea trees after pruning and trimming.

Mrs. Bui Thi Thuy’s family in Tan Thanh hamlet, Trang Xa commune has been involved in tea cultivation for over 20 years. Previously, Mrs. Thuy planted midland tea on 5 sao of her family’s tea plantation. Due to lack of technical knowledge and the irrigation water source depending on nature, the yield was unstable and the quality of the tea buds was not high.

Ms. Bui Thi Thuy: Five years ago, my family switched to F1 hybrid tea and applied the production process according to VietGAP standards; invested in an additional water-saving irrigation system to limit dependence on rainwater. Thanks to that, the productivity, quality and selling price of tea have increased significantly. Currently, each crop I harvest 20kg of dry tea buds/sao, the average selling price is from 190-250 thousand VND/kg, 3 times higher than before.

Like Ms. Thuy's family, the movement of planting new tea varieties and applying science and technology to production has developed strongly in many communes in Vo Nhai district. Mr. Le Dinh Chinh, Head of Truc Mai hamlet, Lau Thuong commune, shared: The hamlet currently has more than 10 hectares of tea, over 90% of which are planted with hybrid tea varieties F1, TRI777. Thanks to good care and investment in science and technology, the quality of tea has been improved. The price of dry tea in the hamlet is from 150-200 thousand VND/kg, and households that do well can sell for higher prices.

Not only tea growers but also cooperatives, cooperative groups and tea villages in Vo Nhai have been actively innovating to increase the value of tea trees. For example, Dai Tien Agricultural, Forestry and Service Cooperative, Khuon Nang Hamlet, Lien Minh Commune was established in 2016 with 9 members and associated with households producing over 10 hectares of tea. Each year, the Cooperative supplies the market with nearly 40 tons of dried tea buds, mainly young shrimp tea and hook tea. In 2023, 2 products of the Cooperative, hook tea and Dai Tien tea, will be recognized as meeting 3-star OCOP standards.

Ms. Trieu Thi Dung, Director of Dai Tien Agricultural, Forestry and Service Cooperative, said: We invest in building factories, purchasing modern machinery and equipment to serve processing, because this is an important factor in improving product quality.

People of Trang Xa commune (Vo Nhai) harvest tea.

To support people and cooperatives in improving tea quality, Vo Nhai district has implemented many solutions. Mr. Nguyen Hong Son, Deputy Head of the district's Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: In the past, we have coordinated with the functional departments of the province and communes and towns to open many training courses on tea planting and processing techniques; implemented programs and projects on tea production according to VietGAP and organic standards; supported investment in machinery, factory construction, etc.

Thanks to the efforts of authorities and people at all levels, up to now, Vo Nhai has had 593/1,300 hectares of tea certified by VietGAP and organic; in 2024, the total output of fresh tea buds will reach over 14,000 tons, the tea production value will reach 300 million VND/ha; the district has 5 tea products certified by 3-star OCOP.

To continue to improve the tea tree, the Party Executive Committee of Vo Nhai district has just issued Resolution No. 10-NQ/HU on developing the tea industry in the period of 2025-2030. Accordingly, by 2030, the district aims to increase the total tea area to 1,700 hectares, with an output of 16,400 tons; at least 70% of the area meeting VietGAP and organic standards; 100% of enterprises and cooperatives applying digital technology in production and processing; having at least 8 products achieving OCOP 3-star certification or higher...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202505/phat-trien-cay-che-vo-nhai-tu-nep-cu-sang-tu-duy-moi-dea0431/