Growing clean specialties helps people in Sa Pa escape poverty

TPO - Thanks to its particularly suitable climate, Sa Pa shiitake mushrooms have long been a favorite specialty of tourists. Small but well-organized clean mushroom factories are opening up new livelihoods, creating jobs for local people and contributing to building a clean agricultural product brand for this tourist land.

Along the O Quy Ho road (Sa Pa ward, Lao Cai province), it's easy to spot distinctive agricultural models: high-tech vegetables, chayote grown on trellises, temperate crops, etc. Among them, the model of growing clean, high-quality shiitake mushrooms, targeting discerning customers as gifts and specialties for tourism, is a highlight.

The Linh Huong mushroom farm is providing employment for 20 workers in Sa Pa ward. Photo: Pham Quynh

Visiting the Linh Huong mushroom farm, which employs 20 rural workers in O Quy Ho 1 residential area, Sa Pa ward, we clearly saw the potential and vibrant atmosphere of this production model. The production facility operates according to a closed-loop, organic process. From preparing the substrate bags, controlling water sources, disinfecting with naturally sourced materials, to recycling by-products into fertilizer, everything is aimed at ensuring hygiene, safety, and environmental friendliness.

Therefore, fresh mushrooms are quite expensive, costing around 100,000 - 200,000 VND/kg. Dried mushrooms cost from 1,000 to 2,000,000 VND/kg. All the mushrooms produced are sold immediately.

Each year, the facility supplies approximately 100 tons of fresh mushrooms to the market, generating nearly 12 billion VND in revenue annually. Photo: Pham Quynh

Ms. Chảo Mẩy Pham (Tả Chải village, Tả Phìn commune) shared that thanks to a stable job and training in clean farming techniques, her income is steady. Her family no longer worries about working far from home and facing hardship and shortages.

Speaking with reporters, Mr. Ha Manh Phong, Director of Linh Huong Mushroom Co., Ltd., said that the climate and soil of Sa Pa are particularly suitable for shiitake mushrooms, resulting in a high content of Beta-glucan (an active ingredient that boosts immunity, supports cardiovascular health, and inhibits cancer cells). With over 0.4 hectares of land, the facility produces approximately 100 tons of fresh mushrooms annually, generating nearly 12 billion VND in revenue. The facility's clean mushrooms are available on the shelves of many supermarkets and food stores and are expected to conquer demanding export markets.

The facility's organically grown mushrooms are available on the shelves of many supermarkets and food stores. Photo: Pham Quynh

According to Mr. To Ngoc Lien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Sa Pa ward, the locality is focusing on supporting OCOP models and developing distinctive products to contribute to tourism development and sustainable poverty reduction.

According to Mr. Lien, Sa Pa will soon organize a workshop, inviting experts and scientists to pave the way for clean, high-quality products, including Sa Pa shiitake mushrooms, to reach a wider market.

Furthermore, Sa Pa ward serves as a bridge connecting the communes and wards of the former Sa Pa town in the strategy of developing clean, high-value products.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/trong-dac-san-sach-giup-nguoi-dan-o-sa-pa-thoat-ngheo-post1766246.tpo