Stable income from incense making

After visiting and learning about the incense production process at several facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, in 2019, Mr. Tam invested more than 50 million VND to buy a flour mill, flour mixer, automatic incense toothpick dispenser and a set of incense cone molds to produce incense cones, cinnamon, herbs, agarwood incense, cinnamon, herbs.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam's family (group 6, Tay Son ward, An Khe town, Gia Lai province) has a stable income from incense production. Photo: Ngoc Minh

"Starting production, I registered the name of the incense production facility Loi Tam so that customers can easily distinguish and conveniently transact and supply products to the market," said Mr. Tam.

To make quality incense products, Mr. Tam uses natural ingredients such as cinnamon, agarwood, some herbal leaves and Litsea powder - a natural glue. All raw materials after purchase are classified, processed, and stored in a dry place to avoid mold, which affects the quality and aroma of the incense products.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam (Group 6, Tay Son Ward, An Khe Town, Gia Lai Province) uses cinnamon sticks, ground into powder as raw material to produce incense. Photo: Ngoc Minh

Mr. Tam said that each type of raw material is ground separately into a fine powder, creating an incense product with a characteristic aroma, which when burned maximizes the aroma of each type. The finished fine powder is mixed with Litsea powder according to a specific formula and ratio. While mixing the powder, add water to create a dough mixture that is not too dry or too wet.

“If the powder is too dry, it will be difficult to stick together, and the product will not be even. If the powder is too soft, it will not stick well to the bamboo stick, will fall off easily, and will take a long time to dry. Producing incense, cinnamon, and herbs is easier. Pour the previously mixed powder mixture into a pre-made mold, then press it tightly, gently remove each product, dry it, and store it in a box for 1-2 years without getting moldy,” said Mr. Tam.

The entire incense production process is done by Mr. Tam's family using machines, creating beautiful products with high production efficiency. Photo: Ngoc Minh

According to Mr. Tam: The entire incense production process is done by machine, creating even, beautiful products, without requiring much effort like manual work. Raw materials are poured into the hopper, the machine automatically extrudes the powder down to meet the tightly wrapped bamboo core to create smooth, even incense sticks from top to bottom, not rough or bumpy like handmade. Each incense stick is pushed neatly into the tray by the machine.

After making, spread the incense evenly on the drying frame to ensure it is free of dust and dirt and create ventilation for the incense to dry quickly. In sunny weather, the incense will dry in 1 session, in less sunny weather, it will take 1-2 days. The incense is completely dry, then packaged, on each bundle, incense box printed with information about the ingredients, name and address of the facility, and phone number for customers to easily contact and know the origin.

“Cinnamon sticks 30-80cm long cost from 60-70 thousand VND/kg; herbs 100-130 thousand VND/kg; agarwood incense 200 thousand VND to 1 million VND/kg. Agarwood buds 800 thousand VND to 2 million VND/kg; herbs 350 thousand VND/kg; cinnamon 250 thousand VND/kg. Cinnamon coil incense 60 thousand VND/box; herbs 80 thousand VND/kg; agarwood 150-200 thousand VND/box. The product is supplied to the market inside and outside the province, bringing a stable income for the family of more than 120 million VND/year after deducting expenses,” Mr. Tam informed.

Products of Loi Tam incense production facility do not contain preservatives, natural fragrance is favored and highly appreciated by customers. Photo: Ngoc Minh

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hon - Mr. Tam's wife shared: "Incense, agarwood buds, cinnamon, herbs can be used for worship purposes or housewarming, reducing fatigue and stress. In the months leading up to Lunar New Year, the family has to double or even triple the capacity to fulfill orders for customers. So at this time, in addition to mobilizing children and grandchildren, the facility creates jobs for 4-5 local workers with wages of 200,000 VND/person/day".

For many years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy (Group 6, Tay Son Ward) has been buying incense to sell and processing and packaging products for Loi Tam incense factory. “Arranging incense cones, cinnamon, herbs in boxes or putting incense sticks in boxes is not too difficult, suitable for women. If you work hard, each woman will have extra money to spend during Tet. I also import products from the factory to sell, earning an additional income of 1-2 million VND/month. The products do not contain preservatives, and their natural fragrance is favored and highly appreciated by customers,” Ms. Thuy commented.

In addition to producing incense sticks, Mr. Tam's incense production facility also supplies the market with agarwood buds, cinnamon buds, and herbal buds. Photo: Ngoc Minh

Mr. Nguyen Vu Hiep - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Tay Son Ward said: Loi Tam incense production facility is one of the effective production and business models. Maintaining the operation and developing incense production of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam's family not only creates jobs for workers, but also diversifies the production industry in the locality.

“In the coming time, in addition to encouraging the family to further improve the quality and diversity of products, the Farmers' Association of the ward will guide Mr. Tam's family to complete the documents and procedures to register OCOP products in 2025,” emphasized the Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Tay Son ward.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam's family (group 6, Tay Son ward, An Khe town, Gia Lai province) has a stable income from incense production.

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Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/thu-nhap-on-dinh-tu-nghe-lam-nhang-post283262.html