Yen Thuy district is actively implementing a comprehensive range of measures to develop its One Commune One Product (OCOP) product offerings. Currently, the district boasts four 4-star and 17 3-star products under the programme. A standout among them is the 4-star ca gai leo (Solanum trilobatum Linn) glue product, which has steadily expanded its presence in both local and regional markets.
Leaders of the Yen Thuy People's Committee visit the nursery of the Bao Hieu Ca Gai Leo Agro-Forestry Cooperative.
According to Bui Quy Hoi, Director of the Bao Hieu Ca Gai Leo Agro-Forestry Cooperative, in early 2015, as part of a poverty reduction programme, ca gai leo, a medicinal plant used in the treatment of various type of diseases, was introduced to Da Phuc commune. Suitable to local soils, the crop thrived, and residents quickly expanded cultivation areas. However, hasty expansion without a specific plan led to unstable outlets and price pressures, with costs sometimes dropping to below 10,000 VND per kg. Therefore, local farmers began uprooting the crop.
"At the end of 2015, I decided to mobilise households in the commune to establish a cooperative specialising in growing the herbal plant. In January 2016, the Bao Hieu Agro-Forestry Cooperative was established,” Hoi said. Pressing issues facing the crop were gradually addressed. From nine members at first, the cooperative has expanded its membership to 100, with the members now involved in a linked cultivation model across more than 40ha in Bao Hieu and Da Phuc communes.
The cooperative researched and produced its glue product, which boasts a longer shelf life. The herb has various uses, such as detoxifying the liver, lowering liver enzymes, relieving alcohol effects, assisting in treating liver inflammation Type B, fatty liver and fatty blood diseases, back pain, fatigue, and sore throat.
At the provincial OCOP product evaluation conference in 2019, the product claimed a 3-star rating. In 2021, it was accredited with meeting the 4-star standard.
Hoi noted that the product has been trademarked and is available in foreign markets like China, Russia, and Thailand, receiving high praise. The annual profit from it hit between 1.5 and 2.5 billion VND (61,589 – 102,648 USD). The average monthly income is 11.5 million VND per member.
In addition to the efforts of its members, the cooperative has received support from the Yen Thuy authorities, helping its product firmly establish a position in the market.
With funding from the National Target Programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, localities in of Hoa Binh province have invested in essential infrastructure which helps improve local people's lives.
Hoa Binh city has allocated 654 million VND (nearly 26.200 USD) for supporting the protection and sustainable development of 507ha of natural forest to carry out Project 3 on sustainably developing agricultural and forestry production to tap into the potential and advantages of regions to produce goods in value chains.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival nearly a month away, various kinds of mooncakes from popular brands like Kinh Do, Huu Nghi, and Hai Ha have been put on sale at the local shopping malls and business establishments.
In addition to livestock farming, cultivation, and agricultural production, Dao ethnic minority people in Ba Ra hamlet in Hung Son commune of Kim Boi district have also engaged in forestry-based livelihoods, especially bamboo shoot planting.
The Hoa Binh Steering Committee for State Budget Collection on August 15 held a conference to assess the results of state budget revenue between January and July. The conference was chaired by vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee and head of the Steering Committee Quach Tat Liem.
On August 16th, the Community Development Project in Hoa Binh City, under the Good Neighbors International (GNI) Organization, provided 1,300 soapberry seedlings to the Lemongrass Farming Group in Dong Chua Hamlet, Thong Nhat Ward, Hoa Binh City.
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