Planting and caring for cajuput trees according to FSC process

The first product in Vietnam to meet FSC standards

Hue - Tien Phong cajuput essential oil is extracted from cajuput leaves, a typical tree species of the mountainous region of Central Vietnam, which is propagated, planted and cared for by Tien Phong Company according to the process of the provincial science and technology project (DA). The cajuput essential oil production process is carried out by the company using the traditional steam distillation method, ensuring that the nutrients in the cajuput tree are preserved. The product meets FSC (FM/COC) standards, certified as a product responsible to the community and has a clear, sustainable origin. This not only demonstrates a commitment to environmental protection but also helps consumers feel more secure when using the product.

Mr. Ngo Thanh, Deputy Director of Tien Phong Company informed that from February 2022 to January 2024, Tien Phong Company was assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to preside over the science and technology project, including developing breeding processes, technical processes for planting and caring for in vitro cajuput trees. This is one of the necessary activities to meet the requirements for improving the quality of cajuput essential oil products. Therefore, along with developing cajuput raw material areas and developing product processing processes according to FSC standards, Tien Phong Company is conducting the project "Course of cajuput essential oil products - from tissue culture to FSC-certified products".

The Hue - Tien Phong cajuput essential oil project is a chain of cajuput essential oil product processes, from tissue culture to planting raw material areas, product processing, which has been effectively applied for the first time at Tien Phong Company. The project does not stop at research results but has been widely applied in practice, on a large scale and with high efficiency. In particular, 100,000 in vitro cajuput seedlings have been produced in the nursery, serving the planting of 10 hectares of raw materials within the project framework; at the same time, over 200,000 tissue-cultured plants have served the planting of 20 hectares of raw material areas of the company to produce and process cajuput essential oil. The Hue - Tien Phong cajuput essential oil product is the first essential oil product in Vietnam to be certified to meet FSC standards.

Create raw material areas with reasonable prices

Mr. Ngo Thanh said that the FSC certificate for cajuput essential oil products based on the FSC certificate for planted forests opens up a sustainable link between planted forest management and non-timber forest products, not only on the forest land area managed by Tien Phong Company but also in the province and the whole country.

The products of the project, in addition to 100,000 in vitro cajuput seedlings with quality as ordered by the province to contribute to expanding the area of medicinal cajuput raw materials in the area, are also applied to produce a large number of seedlings to meet the market demand in and outside the province and to develop the company's raw material area of 20 hectares. This is the basis for producing and supplying good quality cajuput seedlings at reasonable prices to people and medicinal businesses, contributing to promoting local economic development.

According to Mr. Ngo Thanh, the cost of producing in vitro cajuput trees has decreased from 2,580 VND/tree to 1,560 VND/tree. Propagation by tissue culture rejuvenates seedlings, increases the productivity of raw material growing areas, affirming that the application of controlled tissue culture propagation will help improve the efficiency of seed production without affecting the quality of essential oils.

Successfully building in vitro cajuput cultivation models will contribute to the development of high-tech agricultural production in the locality, promoting the application of technical advances in planting and harvesting products. Thereby, improving productivity and quality, gradually building typical medicinal products in the area. At the same time, producing, processing and distilling cajuput essential oil according to FSC standards brings high economic efficiency in production and business.

Mr. Ngo Thanh further analyzed that with the quality of essential oil meeting FSC standards, the selling price is over 2 million VND/liter, minus the production cost including raw materials, labor, depreciation, preservation... about 1.5 million VND, the profit is over 500 thousand VND/liter of essential oil. The average revenue per hectare is estimated at over 60 million VND/year. In particular, the planting area makes full use of poor land funds, acid sulphate soil, land under construction works... that cannot grow and cultivate other plants to plant cajuput trees to produce essential oils.

The technical process of planting and caring for cajuput trees is being continued by Tien Phong Company to plant and develop raw material areas. Cajuput essential oil products from tissue culture to planting, managed according to the chain of custody certified by FSC - the first time researched, applied and put into effective production at the company is a model for units, localities, and people to refer to and apply in effective production in the province.

Hue - Tien Phong cajuput essential oil has been announced by the Department of Health to meet product standards with a high content of Cineol - a natural compound that brings many health benefits. Cineol has the ability to kill bacteria, helping to reduce the risk of disease and increase resistance. The product has just won First Prize at the 14th Provincial Technical Innovation Competition, 2024.


Article and photos: Ba Tri