Replacing less productive crops with herbal medicines has proven to be an effective direction for many localities in Hoa Binh province.
In 2018, the Big Farm herbal cooperative leased 10 ha of mixed garden land from farmers in Men village, Yen Hoa commune (Da Bac district) to start growing several types of herbal plants.
Yen Tri commune in Yen Thuy district is one of the "bright spots" in herbal medicine development. Chairman of the communal People’s Committee Bui Phi Diep said that when embarking on the new-style rural area building scheme, the first challenge for the local authorities was how to increase the income for local residents. He added that the orientation of switching to herbal medicine cultivation on areas of less productive crops and mixed gardens aimed for this goal.
To achieve the highest effectiveness, the local authority selected high-value herbal plants and precious indigenous medicinal plants, and encourages residents to cultivate these as replacements. At the same time, it has proposed the district collaborate with herbal medicine centres and pharmaceutical companies to develop a production linkage model.
Cultivating medicinal plants generates economic value approximately three times higher than rice cultivation, helping to improve the incomes of many households in Yen Tri. The area dedicated to herbal plant cultivation in the commune has expanded to about 35 ha, attracting 45 households in the Yen Tri Agricultural Cooperative, and 100 other households to join.
Besides Yen Tri, the cultivation and development of medicinal plants have been implemented in many localities. So far, Hoa Binh has approximately 2,350 ha of medicinal plants, including 197.6 ha where the plants are intercropped on forest land.
Some of the main medicinal plants including lemongrass, solanum procumbens, and celastrus hindsii, with yearly average outputs of 11,000 tonnes, 1,200 tonnes and 1,620 tonnes, respectively. Additionally, there are various naturally harvested medicinal plants, such as cordyceps, passionflower, Paris polyphylla smith, and anoectochilus.
In recent years, the provincial authorities have issued many mechanisms and policies to encourage investment in planting and processing of medicinal plants. Projects and socio-economic development programmes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas and the "One Commune, One Product" programme have helped promote and encourage economic sectors to invest in the cultivation and and processing of medicinal plants.
Currently, the province has 13 facilities and enterprises engaged in the purchasing and preliminary processing of medicinal plants, along with 10 small-scale processing establishments run by enterprises and households. These efforts have initially created stable outlets for medicinal plants in the province.
According to the leadership of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the coming time, based on natural conditions, market demand, economic value, and export potential, the locality will develop a list of prioritised medicinal plants for development. Additionally, it will establish mechanisms, policies, and support plans for the cultivation, development, and harvesting of medicinal plants in special-use forests, protective forests, and production forests; as well as renting land for medicinal plant development; in line with forest management regulations and the provisions of the Land Law in 2024.
The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on November 20 coordinated with Hai Dang Group Hoa Binh Seafood Company Limited to release 1.5 tonnes of fries into Hoa Binh Lake to regenerate aquatic resources, with a total value of 266 million VND (10,460 USD).
On the afternoon of November 16, Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, held a reception for a delegation from the Indian Embassy led by Ambassador Sandeep Arya. The delegation included the chairperson of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, embassy personnel, and Indian businesses operating in Vietnam. Accompanying Long at the meeting were leaders of the provincial People's Committee and representatives from various departments and sectors.
Hoa Binh province hosted the "Meet India 2024" conference on November 16, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic ties between Vietnam and India.
In recent times, with its core role in building and fostering great national unity, Cao Phong district's Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee has actively carried out its responsibilities and front work, and closely collaborated with member organisations to encourage locals to implement the Party’s guidelines, and the State’s policies and laws. At the same time, it has worked to promote the dynamism, creativity, and contributions of officials, Party members, and local people to help the district develop further.
From a type of bulb used as a seasoning for daily meals, thanks to the efforts of local authorities and farmers, shallots have become a commercial crop in Yen Thuy district, contributing to promoting the transformation of crop structure in agricultural production, bringing higher incomes to locals.
