Developing star anise growing model helps many households escape poverty

Star anise is a specialty plant with high economic value, helping many households in Hoanh Mo commune, Quang Ninh province escape poverty thanks to two harvests per year.

Quang Ninh currently has more than 9,000 hectares of star anise, mainly concentrated in the eastern communes of the province. Of which, the largest star anise growing area is in Hoanh Mo commune with nearly 5,000 hectares. This is a crop with high economic value for local people. Therefore, to maintain the value of star anise, Hoanh Mo commune has supported businesses and households to register star anise growing area codes to increase product value, meeting export standards.

Song Mooc A village, Hoanh Mo commune has 90 hectares of anise with a growing area code.

Compared to many other forestry plants, star anise is a specialty plant that brings high economic value, helping many households in Hoanh Mo commune escape poverty thanks to two harvests per year. In order to increase value and expand the consumption market, in 2022, Hoanh Mo commune coordinated with the Provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection to support Nam Trung Trading Import-Export Company Limited and 160 households in Song Mooc A, Song Mooc B and Cao Son villages to register the code for growing areas for export with a scale of 190 hectares.

Households and businesses participate in implementing a unified care process, recording production logs, and harvesting in bulk, meeting traceability requirements and export standards. Up to now, this is still the only star anise growing area code in Quang Ninh province that has been granted and maintained stably, affirming the right direction in developing commodity agriculture associated with the international market.

The star anise forest in Hoanh Mo is still very large, creating favorable conditions for expanding exports in the future when markets require growing area codes. Mr. La Vinh Hoan, Director of Nam Trung Trading Import-Export Company Limited, said: Currently, the enterprise wishes to continue to be granted area codes for other star anise growing areas in addition to the 190 hectares that have been recognized. This is also an early preparation step of the enterprise to meet the increasing export demand for this product.

Compared to other communes such as Binh Lieu and Luc Hon, Hoanh Mo commune has more advantages in terms of area and quality of star anise growing area thanks to its cool climate and large temperature range between day and night. These natural conditions help star anise in Hoanh Mo have high essential oil content and are characterized by the 8-petal star anise. Currently, the whole commune has nearly 5,000 hectares of star anise, with about 3,000 households growing it, mainly following the organic farming direction. Each hectare of star anise brings an average income of 150-500 million VND/year, depending on productivity, selling price and harvest time. Star anise products are mainly for export.

Mr. Tran Trung Kien, Head of the Economic Department of Hoanh Mo commune, said: Previously, when the two-level local government model had not been implemented, the anise growing area of ​​Binh Lieu district (old) reached more than 8,567 hectares, mainly concentrated in the communes of Dong Van, Hoanh Mo, Huc Dong, Luc Hon and Dong Tam. The average annual fresh anise output was from 3,400-4,000 tons, equivalent to 850-1,000 tons of dried anise. From July 1, 2025, when the two-level government model was implemented and Dong Van commune was merged into Hoanh Mo commune, the total anise growing area of ​​the locality increased to nearly 5,000 hectares with nearly 3,000 households growing anise, mainly distributed in villages and hamlets such as Song Mooc A, Song Mooc B, Phai Lau, Khe Tien, Cao Son, Dong Thanh...

In order to increase the value of star anise, the locality has implemented programs to support the development of production for large timber trees, including star anise, according to Resolution 337/2024/NQ-HDND dated July 10, 2024. At the same time, in coordination with the Agricultural Extension Center and specialized agencies on forest management, protection and development, the commune has implemented a 15-hectare model of grafted star anise. Currently, Hoanh Mo's star anise products are still mainly exported to China, but prices are still fluctuating and unstable over time.

Star anise growers in Hoanh Mo dry it for export to the Chinese market.

Maintaining the growing area code is a necessary condition for agricultural products to prove their origin and meet export requirements. Currently, the average harvest output of Hoanh Mo reaches 2,200 to 2,600 tons per year. This crop, after being planted for 15-16 years, will be harvested and can be harvested continuously for over 10 years after that with low care costs, so the value it brings is relatively stable for local people in terms of economy as well as maintaining jobs, while ensuring social security.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/phat-trien-mo-hinh-trong-hoi-giup-nhieu-ho-dan-thoat-ngheo-20251110091812893.htm