In late July 2025, we had the opportunity to visit Yen Phuc commune - one of the key areas of the province. We met Ms. La Thi Tuyet, from Ban Nooc village, standing absentmindedly under her family's nearly 1 hectare of forest.
Pointing to the star anise trees with only bare branches and leaves, Mrs. Tuyet sadly said: "Currently, it is the star anise harvest season, traders come to buy at a price of about 25,000 VND/kg of fresh star anise (equivalent to last year), but my family has no star anise to sell. Last year, my family harvested about 2 tons of fresh star anise, but this year, the whole star anise forest has not harvested even 1 kg."
Similar to Ms. Tuyet's family, many households in Yen Phuc commune are also facing a similar situation. According to preliminary statistics, Yen Phuc commune currently has 4,186 hectares of star anise, of which 3,800 hectares have been harvested. Mr. Ha Van Thien, Head of the Economic Department of Yen Phuc commune, said: Star anise is one of the crops that bring stable income to farmers in the commune, with an average annual output of 4,200 tons. However, this year, due to the impact of the weather, the star anise crop failed. It is estimated that this year the commune's star anise output has decreased by more than 50% compared to last year, with some areas almost completely lost.
Not only Yen Phuc commune, people growing star anise in other communes also share the sadness of crop failure. Mr. Hoang Cong Chien, Bac Son commune said: My family has 1 hectare of star anise, planted nearly 30 years ago. On average, each year, my family harvests 4-5 tons of star anise. Currently, entering the harvest season, the price of star anise at the beginning of the season is about 25,000 VND/kg and shows signs of increasing, but the family does not have much star anise to sell, this year, the whole forest only harvested about 1 quintal.
Star anise is one of the main crops that brings high economic efficiency to farmers in some communes in the province. According to data from professional agencies, the whole province currently has over 48,000 hectares of star anise, of which the area for stable harvest is about 28,000 hectares. Star anise is grown in many communes such as: Yen Phuc, Khanh Khe, Hong Phong, Ba Son...
Although there are no specific statistics from professional agencies, according to reporters in some communes, this year, many anise areas in the province have had a bad harvest, anise output has decreased by about 50-60% compared to last year, and many anise forests have not been harvested. According to research, this year's anise yield has decreased sharply due to a record-breaking drought (from September 2024 to February 2025), when the anise trees enter the flowering and fruiting stage, it is during a prolonged drought, affecting the growth and development of the trees.
Mr. Hoang Van Dieu, Vice Chairman of Ba Son Commune People's Committee, said: Currently, the whole commune has over 2,000 hectares of star anise, of which over 1,200 hectares are being harvested, with an average annual fresh star anise output of over 1,800 tons. In recent years, star anise has been a key crop bringing a stable source of income to local people. However, this year, the harsh weather has affected the growth and development of the tree. Many areas of star anise have not flowered or set fruit, leading to an estimated 50-60% decrease in the total output of the commune compared to last year, leaving many households penniless.
Mr. Hoang Van Chieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: In order for star anise to become a crop that brings stable and sustainable income, in the coming time, the department will continue to implement solutions to improve the productivity, quality, and economic value of star anise according to the province's policies and orientations. In particular, focusing on planting new, replacing, and renovating old, degraded star anise forests, building models and projects to expand the area of organic star anise and selecting the most effective models for people to learn and replicate. At the same time, directing specialized departments to coordinate with the People's Committees of communes with star anise to propagate star anise care techniques that adapt to climate change.
This year’s poor harvest has caused many households to suffer crop losses. To ensure a high yield, in addition to the attention of the professional sector, people need to be proactive and bold in investing and applying scientific and technical advances in the cultivation process, from care to pest control, in order to effectively adapt to increasingly extreme weather conditions.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/vu-hoi-nay-kem-vui-5054713.html
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