Bringing medicinal herbs from the forest to the garden, people in the mountainous region of Nghe An earn millions of dong.

Mrs. La Thi Lan's family harvests wild pennywort grown in their garden. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In early 2022, Ms. La Thi Lan in Hop Thanh hamlet, Yen Hop commune (Quy Hop) started to bring precious medicinal herbs from the forest to grow in her home garden such as: Solanum procumbens, black xạ, Gymnema sylvestre, Bai bo, trinh nu hoang cung, pennywort... On a garden area of ​​nearly 1,000 m²Mrs. Lan divided the garden into many different areas. In the cool, airy areas, she planted pennywort and gymnema sylvestre; under the fruit trees, she planted fritillary and chasteberry plants; along the pond bank and fence, she planted climbing eggplant...

Ms. La Thi Lan said: “In front of this garden, I grew small vegetables to sell at the market. During my free time, I went to the forest to pick medicinal plants to sell to traders, but my income was unstable. Since last year, with the guidance of an agricultural engineer from Tinh Sang Duong Agricultural Cooperative, I have brought medicinal herbs to grow in my home garden and they have grown very well.

The earliest to harvest is pennywort, which has been cut and sold in two batches, each batch weighing 200kg, with a selling price of 15,000 VND/kg, earning 3 million VND. Each year, about 10-12 batches of pennywort are harvested. All pennywort is purchased by the cooperative. By the end of this year, the Chinese clematis and gymnema sylvestre will also be ready for harvest.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dinh Trong Son in Cau Da hamlet, Yen Hop commune (Quy Hop) renovated his mixed garden, planted 2 sao of Solanum procumbens, and has so far harvested 3 crops, totaling 1.8 tons of medicinal herbs, which were purchased by the cooperative's factory at the garden for 10,000 VND/kg, earning him 18 million VND.

Gymnema sylvestre is grown in a home garden in Hop Thanh hamlet, Yen Hop commune (Quy Hop). Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Son excitedly said: “Previously, the garden was left fallow, only a small corner was used to grow vegetables, the rest were mixed plants that did not bring any income, looking back it was dense, with lots of mosquitoes and insects. For the past 2 years, the garden area has been used to grow Solanum procumbens, which not only brings in income but also improves the garden's appearance and cleanliness.”

Up to now, the whole Yen Hop commune (Quy Hop) has 30 households bringing medicinal herbs from the forest to grow in their home gardens for a good income. There are households with large gardens, reasonable planning, growing many types of medicinal herbs, giving an annual income of 70-100 million VND.

The Solanum procumbens garden replaces the mixed garden of Mr. La Van Cuong's family, Yen Hop commune (Quy Hop). Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. La Van Duy - Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Tinh Sang Duong Agricultural Cooperative in Yen Hop Commune (Quy Hop) said: "Every year, we purchase 50 tons of medicinal herbs for people at a stable price, higher than the market price. In addition, we assign specialized staff to support people with techniques of propagation, planting, care and proper harvesting so that the plants grow well and can be harvested in many crops."

Compared to other crops, medicinal plants are not picky about soil, they can utilize land along pond banks, fences, under fruit trees and even under acacia hills. On the other hand, medicinal plants are perennial crops, planted once, if well cared for, they can be harvested for 7-10 years, do not require much care, and have few pests and diseases.

Cooperative staff check the quality of the plant after 1 year of planting in a home garden. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Besides, when medicinal plants are successfully domesticated in home gardens, it will limit the overharvesting and destruction of medicinal plants in the forest, protect the forest and create long-term livelihoods for people.

Mr. Chu Ngoc Tan - Vice Chairman of Yen Hop Commune People's Committee said: "Currently, medicinal plants are being planned and expanded by the local government. Initially, they will be planted in home gardens. If the results are good, they will be expanded to hill gardens, highland areas, and planted under the forest canopy.

Currently, the whole commune has planted 3 hectares of various medicinal plants, and in 2023, about 5 hectares will be planted. The medicinal plant planting model aims to change the crop structure, both creating a stable economic income for the people and conserving precious medicinal plants in the commune.

Specialized medicinal herb gardens are being formed on Yen Hop commune (Quy Hop). Photo: Thanh Phuc