In the morning, people in a district of Yen Bai went to the forest to cut bamboo shoots, a type of "wild vegetable", before reaching the market they were all gone.

Bamboo shoots are young shoots of the Sat tree, growing in high mountains in the northern mountainous provinces, but not everywhere the bamboo shoots are as delicious as in Yen Bai.

Previously, bamboo shoots mainly grew naturally, so the harvest of bamboo shoots was not much. But now, realizing the economic benefits from bamboo shoots, along with support from local authorities, departments and branches, highland people in Tram Tau district (Yen Bai province) have gradually changed their perception.

Farmers proactively plan planting areas and enhance deep processing to increase profits and diversify products from bamboo shoots.

Currently, the entire Tram Tau district has nearly 150 hectares of bamboo shoots (an increase of 26 hectares compared to 2023), of which the largest area is concentrated in communes: Tuc Dan, Ban Cong, Hat Luu, Xa Ho with high productivity. reached 47 quintals/hectare, output reached 682.000 tons.

Mr. Lo Van Duong - agricultural extension officer of Xa Ho commune said: "Recognizing the economic efficiency from bamboo shoots, in addition to the pre-existing areas, many households in the commune have bred and developed this native plant. People are also regularly supported and guided by agricultural staff on techniques for planting, caring for, and exploiting bamboo shoots. To date, the entire commune has 13 hectares of bamboo shoot growing area, of which the new planting area is over 7 hectares. People in the village are expanding the planting area in some favorable areas."

Mr. Giang A Hang's family (Sang Pao village, Xa Ho commune, Tram Tau district, Yen Bai province) has planted bamboo shoots since 2019. Up to now, the family's bamboo shoot hill has begun to harvest.

Mr. Hang said that the sap tree is suitable for the highland climate, so it is very easy to grow and is almost free of pests and diseases. Bamboo shoots have small and straight stems, bamboo shoots are slightly larger than an adult's thumb, covered by a hard and thick shell.

“Street shoots only bloom from March to May, so the price at the beginning of the season is quite high, from 3 VND - 5 VND/kg in shell and gradually decreases during the main season, prices range from 70.000 - 80.000 VND/kg. Bamboo shoots have brought my family a fairly stable source of income. Every year, the family earns nearly 25.000 million VND from bamboo shoots with almost no investment or fertilization costs" - Mr. Hang shared.

This is the autumn season of picking bamboo shoots, so it is not difficult to see people carrying baskets up the mountain to pick bamboo shoots. After picking, people will tie the bamboo shoots into small bundles to sell to traders or take them to the market to sell. 

Most harvested bamboo shoots are used as fresh food and are favored by consumers because they are sweet, crispy, fragrant, delicious, and ensure food safety. Bamboo shoots can be processed into many dishes such as: Boiled bamboo shoots, grilled bamboo shoots, braised bamboo shoots with ribs, stir-fried bamboo shoots with garlic...

Besides, to serve the needs of tourists to bring home as gifts, bamboo shoots are also peeled, washed, drained and put into vacuum bags.

Over the past time, the Agriculture Department of Tram Tau district has guided farmers on techniques for planting bamboo shoots to grow evenly and have higher productivity, such as fertilizing techniques and annual fertilizer amounts, and care techniques. The bamboo shoot crop follows each cycle, how to prevent some types of pests...

Mr. Dang Tien Dung - Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tram Tau district shared that sap trees are very widely distributed in the mountains, often growing mixed with shrubs. If properly cared for, they can become forests and forests. for high output. 

In order to improve the productivity of harvesting bamboo shoots after cycles, it is necessary to strengthen scientific management and care, not to let livestock damage them, not to harvest thoroughly... On average, each hectare of bamboo shoots can yield 6-8 tons of bamboo shoots/ha/year if well cared for.

Currently, Tram Tau district is continuing to propagate and mobilize people to raise awareness of protecting and effectively exploiting this forest product resource. 

At the same time, the district also encourages people to expand the area of ​​growing bamboo shoots on forest land, thereby helping to green bare land and bare hills, prevent erosion, landslides, and improve forest coverage. while helping people increase their income and improve their lives.