Tan Phu Dong Commune: Making brooms from reeds helps increase income for unemployed agricultural workers.

(DTO) In recent years, people in Tan Phu Dong commune, Dong Thap province, have realized that reeds can be used to make brooms. After researching and learning, many households have developed the craft of making reed brooms, contributing to job creation and increasing family income.

The craft of making brooms from reeds in Ly Quan 1 hamlet, Tan Phu Dong commune.

According to reports, there are currently dozens of households in Ly Quan 1, Ba Tien 1 hamlets, etc., in Tan Phu Dong commune engaged in the craft of making brooms from reeds.

A typical example is the case of Ms. Le Thi Pha's family (Ly Quan 1 hamlet). During the off-season, her husband, Mr. Ngo Phu Cuong, goes to pick reeds along the dikes near their house, brings them home, dries them, and makes brooms.

The process of bundling reed brooms is quite elaborate, requiring meticulous attention to detail from the craftsman. The reeds selected must be young, not too old, to avoid breakage. After drying, the reeds are bundled into small bunches, and the base is crushed to ensure the reeds are firmly bound together when bundled.

For the broom handles, in addition to commercially available plastic handles, locals also use locally sourced materials such as coconut palm leaves and lemongrass leaves rolled together to reduce costs. Each household engaged in this craft typically employs 4-5 workers, mostly family members or neighbors.

Ms. Le Thi Pha's household currently employs three workers in broom-making. On average, they produce 700-800 brooms per month. Traders come directly to their home to buy the brooms and distribute them to markets within and outside the province, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and some neighboring areas.

Reed brooms are currently priced at 22,000 VND/broom (with plastic handle) and 21,000 VND/broom (with wooden handle). At this price, after deducting expenses, each worker earns an average of about 4 million VND per month.

Ms. Le Thi Pha has been involved in the craft of making brooms from reeds for many years.

Ms. Le Thi Pha said: “Previously, people here didn't know that reeds could be used to make brooms. After being guided by some acquaintances in Tam Nong commune, Dong Thap province, everyone followed suit and taught each other. Learning from experience, the brooms produced have become increasingly high-quality and popular in the market. Everyone seems to enjoy the craft of making reed brooms.”

Ms. Le Thi Huynh Dieu (Ly Quan 1 hamlet, Tan Phu Dong commune) shared: "Although the income from making brooms from reeds is not high, it contributes to creating regular jobs for rural women, and many women are now turning to this profession."

According to many households here who make brooms from reeds, the market demand could increase sharply from now until the Lunar New Year of the Horse in 2026. Traders are placing many orders for brooms. Broom makers have to collect reeds from harvesters at a price of 10,000 VND/kg for fresh reeds and 25,000 VND/kg for dried reeds.

It can be seen that the craft of making brooms from reeds contributes to solving unemployment and increasing income for rural people in coastal areas.

HUU DU - A. THU

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/xa-tan-phu-dong-bo-choi-bong-say-giup-tang-thu-nhap-cho-lao-dong-nong-nhan-a233845.html