Nghe An: Unique method of growing soursop for export to Taiwan.

(Baonghean.vn) - Tan Thang commune is the only locality in Quynh Luu district (Nghe An province) that grows the Sophora japonica tree.Currently, the local produce is available in the markets of Taiwan and China.

Mr. Phan Dinh's family in Hamlet 26/3, Tan Thang Commune, has 6.7 hectares of land planted with Sophora japonica trees. Mr. Dinh said: Sophora japonica is a perennial tree, with a lifespan of up to 70 years, very easy to grow, and suitable for all weather conditions. Each year, it only needs one application of NPK fertilizer and two weeding cycles. With good care, the yield can reach 2 tons per hectare.

After harvesting, traders from Nghia Dan district and Thanh Hoa province come to buy the seeds at prices ranging from 10,000 to 12,000 VND/kg. However, in recent years, the seeds have been purchased and transported by locals for trade in China and Taiwan, so the price has increased to 25,000 VND/kg; after deducting all expenses from fertilizer and labor, his family earns a profit of 200 million VND per year.

The entire Tan Thang commune currently has 30 hectares of cassia trees, generating approximately 1.5 billion VND in revenue for the locality each year. Photo: Hong Dien

The entire Tan Thang commune currently has 30 hectares of Sophora japonica trees planted under a project on forest land. Some areas belong to employees of the Quynh Luu Forestry Company, which, after its dissolution, sold the land to households. This type of tree only needs to be planted once and yields fruit regularly for decades, thus providing high economic value.

In addition, the Sophora japonica tree helps retain soil moisture, protect the environment and water sources, and provides excellent protection. Therefore, to maintain the current Sophora japonica forests, for trees with low yields, the growers cut them down and care for them to encourage new shoots, which will continue to bear fruit after three years. Every year in November and December, when the Sophora japonica fruits ripen, fall to the ground, and crack open, families hire laborers, especially schools, to collect the seeds to help them raise funds for their activities.

The flowers and fruits of the Sophora japonica tree resemble those of the green tea plant. Photo: Hong Dien

According to local people, the fruit of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree is never left unsold; traders buy it on the spot as soon as it's harvested to press into cooking oil, while the pulp is used to make soap. Currently, Strychnos nux-vomica is exported to foreign markets, so the price is very high, peaking at 28,000 VND/kg. Each year, the locality sells about 60 tons of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, worth 1.5 billion VND; growing Strychnos nux-vomica is economically viable, so some households have proactively sown seeds to expand their cultivation area.

According to Mr. Phan Tien Dung, Chairman of the Tan Thang Commune People's Committee: The Sophora japonica tree provides a good income for some households in the locality. Therefore, the commune continues to encourage people to strengthen care and supplement nutrients for the trees. At the same time, they are researching and introducing Sophora japonica varieties with large seeds, abundant fruit, high yield and quality to the area to expand the cultivation area.

When the ripe star fruit falls to the ground, after drying and separating the seeds, the growers then hire workers to collect them. (Photo: Hong Dien)

Currently, the local people in Tan Thang commune are focusing on caring for and protecting the Sophora japonica tree because it not only helps people alleviate poverty but also, according to them, has several uses: the roots are used to treat stomach aches and sprains; the roots and bark are combined to treat ankle sprains... making it very convenient when needed.

Red Face