Growing ginseng - a promising model in Quang La

Model of ginseng planting of Mr. Duong Van Vuong's family (Quang La commune).

Mr. Duong Van Vuong's household (Dan Chu 2 village), one of the pioneer households participating in the ginseng growing model in Quang La commune. On the previously ineffective cultivated land area where only low - value crops could be grown, Mr. Vuong boldly switched to growing more than 3 sao of ginseng. According to Mr. Vuong, the initial investment cost for each sao is about 750 seedlings (equivalent to 7 million VND), along with the cost of building the trellis and installing the irrigation system of more than 1 million VND.

Mr. Vuong said that ginseng is quite easy to grow, has few pests and is especially not damaged by rats like potatoes and cassava. However, to achieve stable productivity, growers need to master the growth characteristics and follow care techniques. In the first year, ginseng needs to be provided with enough water, organic fertilizer and regular weeding. After a pilot year, ginseng has shown high adaptability to local soil and climate. The yield of fresh flowers harvested is 350kg/sao, after drying, it is sold on the market at a price of about 600,000 - 800,000 VND/kg to process tea, bringing a significant source of income for growers. At the same time, ginseng roots are also growing well, promising harvest value in the coming years.

According to the experience of ginseng growers, the plant is propagated by grafting for a high survival rate and stable growth. The propagation process requires using humus-rich soil, grafting, and then potting it for care. When the grafted branch has strong roots, it is taken to be incubated. After that, the plant is planted on well-drained soil, especially hilly and gravelly soil. Ginseng is a moisture-loving plant, especially in the early stages when the root system has not yet developed strongly. Therefore, the automatic irrigation system helps maintain stable humidity, limiting drought, thereby helping the plant grow evenly and healthily.

In the second year, when the tree is pruned, people can collect the flowers and leaves of ginseng, dry them, and sort them into tea leaves to sell for 150,000 VND/kg of tea. The lower quality leaves will be crushed to feed livestock. With the right care process, after 4-5 years, the ginseng tree will produce high-quality roots, bringing high economic value. Currently, the selling price of ginseng roots is quite stable: the beautiful type can reach 2 million VND/root, the medium type is about 1.2 million VND, and the small roots also fluctuate from 500,000 - 700,000 VND.

Ms. La Thi Thu, Director of Dong Hang Cooperative, said: After more than a year of implementation in Quang La area, the ginseng plant has grown well, suitable for local climate and soil conditions. The ginseng plant has begun to flower and the first harvest yielded over 1 ton of dry products. The ginseng flowers are dried by households to process into tea, a valuable and easily consumed product on the market. From these results, the Cooperative is currently coordinating with households to purchase and expand the ginseng growing model in the commune in the coming time. The Cooperative will propose to complete the dossier to register ginseng flowers and ginseng roots as local OCOP products to build the brand and increase the economic value of this medicinal plant.

The model of growing ginseng in Quang La commune has initially opened up a new direction for agricultural economic development, contributing to the shift in crop structure in the locality. Hilly and gravelly land areas that were previously only used for growing short crops are now being exploited more effectively, bringing stable income to the people. In the coming time, Quang La and Dong Hang Cooperative will continue to perfect the model according to the chain of production, processing and consumption, contributing to increasing income for the people in the coming years.

Pham Tang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/trien-vong-tu-mo-hinh-trong-cay-sam-nam-o-quang-la-3387555.html