Pilot model of growing ginseng

Ông Sáu Biển đang thu hoạch hoa và lá cây sâm bố chính.

Mr. Sau Bien is harvesting flowers and leaves of the ginseng plant.

Realizing that the ginseng tree is a new, strange variety and an agricultural product with high economic value, Mr. Sau Bien decided to plant it. In November 2022, the Plant and Land Production, Trade and Service Company Limited (Go Ot Hamlet, Tuyen Thanh Commune, Kien Tuong Town, Long An Province) connected with Tan Thanh Binh Commune to organize a conference to deploy new varieties in the locality. In March 2023, Mr. Sau Bien went to experience the model of the Plant and Land Production, Trade and Service Company Limited.

In phase 1, Mr. Sau Bien planted 500 ginseng trees. Due to his newness and lack of understanding of cultivation techniques and experience, more than 90% of the trees died (450 trees). However, he was not discouraged and decided to replant ginseng trees in phase 2 (nearly 1 year). Thanks to experience, out of the 500 trees Mr. Sau Bien planted in phase 2, more than 400 trees (80%) survived and developed. He bought seedlings (priced at 25,000 VND/tree) as well as learned cultivation techniques from the Plant and Land Production, Trade and Service Company Limited. The company provides seeds and seedlings, and guarantees the products for growers to harvest.

After receiving the seedlings, the grower will cultivate them in the shade (about 3 - 10 days) and spray pesticides to prevent striped spots, stem and root rot. When the work of making the substrate and creating the beds is completed, the plants will be planted along with the process of monitoring and caring for the plants to grow and develop. The grower combines soil, organic fertilizer, coconut peat, ash and rice husks to create a clean substrate. According to Mr. Sau Bien, after 3 months of planting, the ginseng will sprout and flower. Growers can harvest by cutting branches, pruning leaves and flowers and drying them. When the plant flowers, it must be harvested the same day because the flowers will wither the next day.

“Panax glabra is a plant suitable for everyone. I will be the main supplier of varieties (seeds and plants), connect with companies to purchase products, and willing to share experiences with those who are passionate and dedicated to growing Panax glabra,” Mr. Sau Bien confided.

Every day, at around 3pm, Mr. Sau Bien harvests flowers and leaves and dries them in the sun for 2 days. On average, he collects about 100 grams of dried flowers and leaves of the ginseng plant in a day, earning an estimated income of 50,000 - 70,000 VND/day. The quantity is still small, so he mainly sells retail to local people, at 500,000 VND/kg of dried stems, flowers and leaves.

From 9 months onwards, growers can harvest the tubers or roots of the ginseng plant. The price of tubers and roots depends on the quality, shape and growth time of the plant: 200,000 VND/kg (at 9 months); 500,000 VND/kg when the plant is 12 - 15 months old, the roots or tubers do not have a special shape but are smooth like white radish; from 15 - 24 months, the tubers or roots will have a special shape, priced from 5 - 30 million VND/tuber, weighing from 0.5 - 0.8 kg/tuber.

After 2 years of growing, the grower can harvest the seeds and the Plant and Land Production, Trade and Service Company Limited will purchase the product at a price of 20 million VND/kg.

Vice Chairman of Tan Thanh Binh Commune Farmers' Association Huynh Van Truong said: Sam Bo Chinh is a new plant that has been planted on a pilot basis in the locality. Here, there are 8 households planting about 10 - 50 plants/household. Mr. Nguyen Van Bien is a farmer planting Sam Bo Chinh, with a large quantity to generate income for his family. This model has initially been effective. The plants grow and develop very well, creating a fairly high economic value from harvesting products to supply the local and foreign markets. In the future, the association will expand the number of plants, building an economic development model for local people.

Products from the Panax notoginseng plant (flowers, leaves and stems) are dried to make tea to help cool down, reduce blood fat or fatty liver, and blood pressure. The tubers or roots of Panax notoginseng are used to soak in wine, make cakes; process nutritional powder, and beauty powder from flowers.

Article and photos: Le De

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