Pioneers in bringing medicinal plants to Hich Hill.

Recognizing the immense potential of the pristine hills in Thach Lap mountainous commune, Cam Lien Agricultural, Forestry and Tourism Cooperative has pioneered the development of Hich Hill, transforming this barren land into a "capital" of high-value medicinal plants.

The area for cultivating Aquilaria trees on Hich Hill of Cam Lien Agricultural, Forestry and Tourism Cooperative.

Thach Lap commune is a mountainous area with complex hilly terrain. Among its features, Hich Hill (also known as Ba Chua Hich Hill) has long been considered a "difficult problem" in the local economic development. Despite its vast area, the land is barren, rocky, and primarily used for growing corn and cassava, yielding very low economic returns or being left fallow. Difficulties with irrigation water and outdated farming practices have prevented this area from fully realizing its potential.

During a trip with friends, Mr. Nguyen Kim Dong, originally from Ho Vuong commune, noticed that the Hich hill area had a cool, temperate climate suitable for several valuable medicinal plants such as agarwood and cypress, which are rarely found elsewhere. At the end of 2023, he decided to consolidate land, build facilities, and establish the Cam Lien Agricultural, Forestry, and Tourism Cooperative to mobilize members to develop valuable medicinal plants combined with ecotourism in this challenging area.

Mr. Dong and the management board of the Cam Lien Agricultural, Forestry and Tourism Cooperative proactively surveyed the soil and climate and found that the slope and soil conditions in the area surrounding the Hich Hill ecological zone were suitable for developing medicinal plants organically. The cooperative has invested systematically in a basic transportation system, applied water-saving irrigation technologies, and improved the soil using organic biological fertilizers.

Mr. Bui Van Thao, Head of the Economic Department of Thach Lap Commune People's Committee, said: "Although the Hich Hill area and its surroundings have potential for ecotourism development, it has always been a concern for the local government and people because of the large area of ​​steep, barren hillside land, which is only used for growing corn and cassava or left fallow for weeds to grow. The investment by a company in developing medicinal plants combined with the construction of ecotourism facilities has opened up a new direction for the locality's development."

Currently, the Cam Lien Agricultural, Forestry, and Tourism Cooperative has accumulated over 30 hectares of land in the vicinity and core area of ​​the Hich hill. Of this, the cooperative has used 15 hectares to cultivate Aquilaria trees and Aquilaria species. These are high-value economic crops used in the production of incense, essential oil distillation, and medicinal purposes. Thanks to proper cultivation techniques and suitability to the climate and soil, the cooperative's medicinal plant crops are growing and developing well and are expected to yield high economic returns.

Along with that, the cooperative has built infrastructure and developed services to serve ecotourism on Hich Hill. Mr. Nguyen Kim Dong, director of Cam Lien Agricultural, Forestry and Tourism Cooperative, said: "Currently, several units have approached us expressing their desire to cooperate in consuming our products. In 2026, the cooperative plans to develop an additional 10 hectares and link with and guide local people to expand the area to build a large-scale production zone, thereby building a brand and developing products to meet the needs of tourists visiting the locality.”

The pioneering efforts of the Cam Lien Agricultural, Forestry, and Tourism Cooperative have not only revitalized a previously impoverished area but, more importantly, have completely transformed the production mindset of the local people. From outdated farming practices dependent on nature, dozens of local households have registered to develop areas for cultivating Aquilaria trees, Agarwood, and other indigenous medicinal plants, turning the Hich hill region into a "treasure trove" of high economic value.

Sharing his vision for the future, Mr. Nguyen Kim Dong said: "The cooperative will continue to expand its cultivation area, establishing deeper links with households in the commune to guarantee product sales. At the same time, we will leverage the advantages of the pristine natural landscape and the unique cultural identity of the local Muong ethnic group to develop tourism. This will focus on building an eco-agricultural tourism model. Visitors can tour the medicinal herb gardens, personally harvest herbs, learn how to make tea, and enjoy the highland culture."

Text and photos: Le Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tien-phong-dua-cay-duoc-lieu-len-doi-hich-289334.htm