Nghe An seeks to remove obstacles for medicinal herbs region

On the morning of August 16, in Vinh city, under the chairmanship of Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Thanh Vinh, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development held a meeting to discuss solutions for developing medicinal plant areas in Nghe An province.

Also attending the meeting were Ms. Thai Huong - Founder and Chairwoman of TH Group's Strategy Council, General Director of Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank - an enterprise that has invested in developing medicinal herbs in the communes of Muong Long and Na Ngoi (Ky Son) and representatives of the leaders of 5 districts: Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Que Phong and Quy Chau.

Many "bottlenecks"

Although it has been implemented since 2021, the Project "Investment and development of precious medicinal plants in Nghe An province in the period of 2021-2025" has not brought high results.

On July 26, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee adjusted the tasks and assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Health, relevant departments, branches and localities to guide, direct and organize the implementation of project investment content, and support the development of precious medicinal herb growing areas.

The meeting was held to clearly identify difficulties and obstacles, and propose effective solutions in implementing this content.

At the meeting, representatives of the Department of Health and localities raised concerns and difficulties in implementation in the past time, in which the most difficult is the problem with the circulars of the Ministry of Health regulating the area required to grow medicinal plants; there is not really a clear direction for developing what types of plants...

Departments, branches and localities have made a number of proposals such as: It is necessary to allocate to a locality or enterprise to build a concentrated and unified seed area; seriously survey the actual potential of each region, suitable for what type of crop, from there, give specific production orientations; need the active participation of enterprises and localities to play a role in accompanying development; have specific plans from production to processing and consumption of products...

Need business support

Sharing experiences and talking about the Group's investment orientation in developing medicinal herbs in the province, Labor Hero Thai Huong stated: The enterprise will provide and support technical processes, accompany farmers in the entire production process and purchase and process products to increase value. The land still belongs to the farmers and farmers will grow medicinal herbs on their own land, playing the role of an important link in the value chain.

First of all, to be able to develop long-term and sustainably, we will advise on ways to help people make short-term profits, plant suitable trees to create immediate livelihoods, and nurture forests.

At the same time, from the sustainable development of medicinal plants, we can consider the direction of developing eco-tourism and community tourism, creating attractive destinations in the western region of Nghe An province.

"We really hope to have the consensus of Nghe An province, relevant departments, sectors, localities and especially of farmers in mountainous areas. Together we will make a revolution, develop the forest economy, sustainably develop medicinal plants, bring sustainable value, create long-term livelihoods for people in mountainous areas", said Labor Hero Thai Huong.

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Phung Thanh Vinh emphasized: The implementation of the project aims to form a value chain system for developing precious medicinal herbs, forming awareness of cultivating medicinal herbs according to the value chain and preserving medicinal herb gene sources to ensure quality management processes and standards, combined with forest protection; at the same time, exploiting and promoting the potential and advantages of natural conditions and natural resources, helping to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, and improve income and life of people in mountainous areas.

To successfully implement this policy, it is necessary to have the real participation of localities and units, and the leading role of large enterprises with enough capacity to develop and consume products. "Localities must really stick to the area, urge and guide implementation. When localities are dedicated and enterprises have potential and vision, even though it is difficult, we can successfully implement it," Comrade Phung Thanh Vinh emphasized.
The Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development requested that districts provide full and specific data on local land area and related contents to develop specific production plans in each region, as a basis for implementation.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development synthesizes difficult issues to have a basis for recommendations, proposals for solutions and removal.