Nghe An farmers grow basil to extract essential oils for export
(Baonghean.vn) - The alluvial land along the Lam River in Do Luong district has been used to grow corn for many years, but now, farmers in Ngoc Son and Dang Son communes have boldly converted some areas of land to grow basil to extract essential oils.
Mr. Nguyen Canh Son’s family in Phuc Yen hamlet, Ngoc Son commune (Do Luong) is the first to plant more than 1 sao of basil on alluvial land. Because of the suitable soil, this plant grows quickly, reaching a height of nearly 3 hand spans and giving his family 2 harvests.
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| Basil plot at Mr. Nguyen Canh Son's household in Phuc Yen hamlet, Ngoc Son commune (Do Luong). Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
Mr. Son said: “Previously, on this plot of land, I grew corn and within 4 months, I got 200kg of corn. Now, growing basil brings in 5 times more profit. Taking care of the plants is simple, and there is no need to spray pesticides.”
Vegetable plantsbasilwas planted by farmers in Do Luong district on alluvial land from the second lunar month of 2021. In Dang Son commune, farmers planted 2 hectares, in Ngoc Son commune over 7 sao.
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| Do Luong farmers harvest basil. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
This basil variety was purchased from Khoai Chau district, Hung Yen province. Basil plants are adapted to the soil of Nghe An so they grow quickly. Before planting, the households fertilized with 25 kg of phosphate and 300 kg of decomposed manure. The first crop was harvested after 2.5 months, the second and third crops were harvested after 1 month and 20 days. After 3 harvests, the farmers switched to growing coriander as a medicinal herb, because the weather at this time was not suitable for basil.
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| After harvesting, basil plants are put into a steam oven. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
Immediately after harvest,Do Luong farmerswas put into a steamer to extract basil essential oil. On average, each sao of basil, after 3 harvests, will extract 8 kg of oil (equivalent to 9 liters), sold for 700,000 VND/kg, earning 5.6 million VND. Subtracting the cost of firewood to heat the steamer, 500,000 VND, the remaining net profit is 5.1 million VND.
Basil flowers are picked by growers to get seeds and stored for planting in the following season. Basil essential oil is exported to markets in France, Belgium, and Korea.
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Oven steaming basil plants with steam. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
Mr. Dang Quang Thai - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngoc Son Commune (Do Luong) said: "Before implementing basil planting for farmers, we coordinated with a seed supply cooperative to organize the implementation for farmers in two hamlets, Phuc Yen and Dong Tam. Initially, 7 households participated in growing basil with an area of 3,800 m2. The People's Committee of the commune supports growers with 150,000 VND per sao, and investors who purchase products support 500,000 VND per production household. In 2021, Ngoc Son commune will plant 12 hectares of basil.
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| Basil flowers are very fragrant and the seeds can be used as seeds for the next crop. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
With the obvious effectiveness of growing basil for essential oil processing, in the coming time, some communes in Do Luong district will plant basil, with an estimated area of 50 hectares, and will eventually increase to 100 hectares. In addition to basil, some medicinal plants suitable for the soil will be planted, such as: Achyranthes, White Snake, Ground Lien, Atractylodes, Melaleuca...
Growing these medicinal plants will open up a new direction for economic development for the Lam River alluvial land, creating conditions to increase income for farmers./.
