Removing bottlenecks, bringing Ngoc Linh ginseng far and wide

At the meeting on November 5 on the implementation of the Ngoc Linh ginseng development project, emphasizing the need to identify Ngoc Linh ginseng as a special economic sector with high value and the ability to build a national brand, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Ho Quang Buu suggested focusing on removing the mechanism of renting forest environment, standardizing varieties, expanding growing areas, promoting deep processing and building brands, creating the foundation for the formation of a National Center for Medicinal Materials in Da Nang.

Photo: Ho Quan

Defining planting areas and preserving varieties

The report of the Department of Agriculture and Environment shows that the Ngoc Linh ginseng development program in Da Nang has initially formed a regional ecosystem for planting, caring, preserving and processing, based on the long-standing tradition of the old Nam Tra My region. The recent rearrangement of administrative boundaries has created favorable conditions for Da Nang to reposition its strategy, aiming to become a center for research and commercialization of Ngoc Linh ginseng nationwide and internationally.

According to the plan, the total area for ginseng development and conservation in the city is 15,568 hectares, concentrated in Tra Linh, Tra Leng, Tra Tap and Nam Tra My communes. Currently, there are 18 organizations, enterprises and 41 household groups participating in ginseng cultivation, with a total area of ​​over 825.4 hectares, equivalent to about 1.27 million trees of many ages. Regarding the legal basis and brand protection, up to now, 1 household group and 6 enterprises have been granted a Certificate of right to use the geographical indication "Ngoc Linh" with a total of 66,357 trees of confirmed origin.

Within the framework of the 7th Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival - 2025, Nam Tra My commune coordinated with Tra Linh, Tra Leng, and Tra Tap communes to organize the Ngoc Linh Ginseng Competition to honor ginseng growers. Photo: HOAI PHONG

The Quang Nam Center for Development of Ngoc Linh Ginseng and Medicinal Herbs has also been granted a Certificate of Protection for Ngoc Linh Ginseng Varieties since 2017, which is an important foundation for preserving rare genetic resources and developing large-scale ginseng varieties. Currently, the city maintains 15 hectares of conservation planting with more than 281,000 original seedlings aged 2 years or older. Each year, it supplies over 120,000 seedlings, which continues to increase according to the need to expand the planting area. Seed prices are listed uniformly according to state announcements, creating conditions for transparency and control of the seed market.

In the processing sector, the whole region currently has 5 factories processing products from Ngoc Linh ginseng. In addition to traditional products such as ginseng wine, ginseng soaked in honey, tea bags, some businesses have initially invested in high technology to produce functional foods and medicinal cosmetics. However, the consumption output of raw materials is still limited, only reaching 50 - 60 kg/year/enterprise, showing the need to continue expanding raw material areas and attracting more businesses with deep processing capacity.

Da Nang is stepping up its call for investment in the Nam Thang Binh Eco-Industrial Park (649ha), aiming to form a national-scale medicinal research - processing - trading complex. Many large corporations such as THACO , Capella, OSP, BRG are surveying for investment; THACO alone plans to develop a 1,250ha growing area.

Perfecting mechanisms, removing bottlenecks

At the meeting, many opinions said that the biggest difficulty at present lies in the forest environment leasing mechanism, the leasing period and incentives are not commensurate with the long-term investment characteristics of ginseng production, leading to limitations in attracting strategic enterprises. Localities recommended that the Government consider amending relevant regulations to create more favorable conditions for investors and the community.

At the 7th Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival in 2025, ginseng growers displayed their products, attracting a large number of tourists to visit and shop. Photo: SON TRUNG

According to Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Ho Quang Buu, Da Nang needs to identify Ngoc Linh ginseng as a special and valuable economic sector, with the potential to build a national brand. The requirements are to perfect the mechanism, expand the growing area, standardize varieties, strengthen management and promote deep processing to increase value.

At the same time, assign departments and branches to proactively coordinate with localities to focus on reviewing the entire ginseng growing area in special-use forests, and arrange suitable land according to the new planning. Propose specific policies on leasing forest environments. Amend regulations on granting certificates of geographical indications "Ngoc Linh" to control quality and prevent fake ginseng.

In addition, it is necessary to promote brand building through ginseng markets, e-commerce platforms, and international promotional activities. Review and upgrade the transportation system serving ginseng growing areas; deploy infrastructure in a safe and sustainable manner.

Regarding resources, Ms. Phan Thi Thanh Thao, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, said that in the period of 2022 - 2025, regular funding has been allocated for the Ngoc Linh Ginseng Development Center and about 10 billion VND for the improvement of ginseng garden infrastructure. However, many projects on product development, value chain linkage and brand promotion still do not have specific proposals, requiring units to urgently develop detailed plans. Many opinions say that Ngoc Linh ginseng development must be associated with forest conservation, ecosystem conservation and improving livelihoods for the community. The business model associated with farmers and cooperatives is identified as the main direction.

Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Ho Quang Buu assigned the Department of Science and Technology to preside over the construction and development of the brand "Da Nang Ngoc Linh Ginseng" with a clear and transparent identification system of origin, aiming to register for international protection. At the same time, he requested the education sector to integrate the content of learning about Ngoc Linh ginseng into extracurricular activities and experiential programs, contributing to raising community awareness, gradually forming cultural values ​​and local identity associated with ginseng.

Along with that, the industry and trade and agriculture sectors coordinate to implement sustainable livelihood development programs in ginseng growing areas, associated with forest protection, landslide prevention and stabilizing people's lives. At the same time, research on livelihood support mechanisms for people in hydropower-affected areas, creating conditions for career conversion towards ginseng development; advising the City People's Council to consider issuing relevant resolutions. The Health sector is assigned to preside over the development of a plan to train high-quality medicinal human resources, expand cooperation with domestic and foreign institutes and schools to meet the requirements of developing the medicinal industry...

Source: https://baodanang.vn/thao-diem-nghen-dua-sam-ngoc-linh-vuon-xa-3309313.html