Helping lotus flowers become 'immortal' for export

Cong “Sen” chose to exploit “the story of village products” as the core of his business. With a raw material area of ​​more than 5 hectares from the association and purchase from Dong Thap farmers, the chemistry master has turned lotus flowers and lotus leaves into immortality, with creative products.

The biggest challenge for Cong now is how to "up" as quickly as possible after preparing the "start" part, specifically defining the goals to be achieved and presenting groups of issues that need expert advice, and having to work with trusted colleagues to implement.

Lost money but not lost faith

Packed up and returned to Dong Thap, traveled with people in the lotus fields in Thap Muoi, Tam Nong, and went to Cambodia to find raw lotus, prices, transportation methods, and lotus preservation… he realized that the demand for lotus flowers among the people was very high, especially in Asian countries, but after only one or two days, the lotus flowers… drooped their heads! How to keep lotus flowers fresh for 3-12 months?

Devoting himself to lotus research, Cong pooled all the money he had saved from his six years of studying abroad in France to invest in a warehouse for storing raw materials, a laboratory and a lotus drying kiln, starting his third business with Khoi Minh Thanh Cong company, associated with the symbol of Dong Thap lotus.

Cong saw early on that sustainable development would be one of the major issues the world would face in the future. It would impact not only on a macro level but also directly on the lives of each individual.

When I first returned to Vietnam, Cong and his friends opened a European-style bakery with the hope of bringing the culture of enjoying cakes to the Vietnamese people. I also used my knowledge of chemistry to make new dishes. Business and research always go hand in hand with the bakery profession and even now. However, due to my "young and inexperienced" nature, I failed.

Not discouraged, I started a second business with imitation stone ceramics, but failed again. Learning many lessons for myself, I understand that when you want to run a business, you need to prepare yourself, not only with enthusiasm but also with basic knowledge to run the business. You can fly high with goals, but you have to determine where you are and what you need to do. Cherish the advice of those who have gone before in business, they are valuable experiences...

A French professor once told Cong this: as society developed, France was also influenced by integrated cultures, but at some point, young French people returned to their national traditions, which he witnessed and demonstrated in his family when his children taught their grandchildren the principles of ancient times. Visiting villages making cheese, wine, and dried sausages... Cong understood the story and experienced and learned together...

While doing business, Cong also did scientific research. He established an R&D department and built a small laboratory in the production area. “I want to combine research into practical products for life and business with my intellectual products. I was also afraid of forgetting my job, but fortunately, research and business go hand in hand and complement each other. In addition, I also participate in teaching practical chemistry experiments to specialized school students, to always be motivated to find new things.”

Help immortal lotus for export

Lotus is a relatively easy plant to grow, and is not as susceptible to diseases as other plants because it is immune. However, prevention of lotus pests and snails should be taken into account. Cong advises people to use organic fertilizer from the beginning of the season, use ducks to kill snails, and visit lotus fields regularly to detect and kill pests when the lotus only has small leaves. “There are many varieties of lotus, some specialized for mirrors, some specialized for leaves, some specialized for shoots… I use the specialized varieties for mirrors because they give good flower yield.”

The most difficult thing about preserving lotus flowers is that they easily lose their petals and wither quickly. Current flower preservation techniques do not allow the environment to help this type of water lily to last long during transportation and bloom for about a week. Research room conditions and human resources are also a challenge that I and some of my colleagues in the Dong Thap International Student Club have to overcome.

The first batches of products were still defective, the flowers were dark in color, the petals were dry and hard, the shelf life was short, and the blooming flowers and lotus leaves were not processed. It took a lot of effort to find the perfect lotus flower preservation formula, helping the product to "last" for over a year while the petals and pistils remained fresh, soft, smooth and the color was 90% similar to real flowers. Currently, the company is producing about 2,000 flowers, but will increase the productivity to 5,000 flowers/month to supply the market. "With the above output, we can temporarily serve the domestic market," Cong said.

Cong is moving towards lotus leaf products for the high-end segment of handicrafts, lotus leaf paintings… – a segment that Cong has high expectations for. He is collaborating with partners to produce and distribute high-end lotus leaf handicrafts, not only for export but also for domestic use, aiming to be environmentally friendly.

Currently, a Japanese company is negotiating with Cong to implement the process of preserving fresh cut lotus flowers, but this requires time for inspection and research. After achieving the agreed standard requirements, negotiations on price will be conducted. With a very high demand in quantity, if good results are achieved, the export of cut lotus flowers will not only serve the Japanese market, but also serve domestic demand, and neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, etc. "Dong Thap lotus will have more output for farmers, we aim to consume lotus flowers according to the criteria of 'fair trade' (fair business)".

To overcome the habit of using fertilizers and pesticides that has been deeply ingrained in people's consciousness in farming, to create clean and safe products, according to Cong, there must be specific methods and results to demonstrate to farmers in farming. Educating people about the environment and community for self-transformation, combined with scientific and technical achievements such as organic pesticides, organic fertilizers, and the results of improved machinery of the fourth industrial revolution.

With many typical products of the Southwest region, Cong hopes that other products from Dong Thap will be of better quality, not just sold raw as they are now. Currently, the SVF startup fund has just signed a document for the Ecolotus dried lotus project to participate in the accelerator training program for three months.

Sharing with fellow entrepreneurs, according to Cong, the most common weakness of startups is market awareness, “why do I have to make that product?” You have to accept stepping out of your “comfort zone” to do different things. Nothing is impossible, the question is whether you want to do it or not.

Startup projects should link together to share benefits and have a larger customer base. “I linked up with Vo Van Tieng’s clean rice project to grow clean lotus, with Huynh Nhu to do the Long Khanh scarf project, and with Minh Thuy to make essential oils into gift sets… that is a mutual connection in the face of market challenges for startup projects,” Cong said.

According to Kim Yen/danviet