Nghe An farmers enter the season of processing turmeric starch

(Baonghean.vn) - This year, the entire Nghi Loc district produced over 120 hectares of turmeric, with an estimated yield of 2,400 tons of tubers. Currently in the peak harvest season, the turmeric starch processing industry here is also bustling.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Anh's family in Hamlet 17, Nghi Kieu Commune grows 5 sao of turmeric, currently 1 sao is ready for harvest. According to Mr. Anh, the weather is sunny so we have to harvest quickly, if it rains, the soil will be sticky and it will be very difficult. It is the beginning of the season, the price of turmeric and starch is quite high, traders have not yet forced down the price, so we should harvest quickly to process as soon as possible.

Nghi Kieu has a total area of ​​over 100 hectares of turmeric, double that of last year; it is grown mainly in hamlets 17 and 18. This year's turmeric crop is good, with each sao yielding an average of about 1 ton of tubers. Due to the increased area, the yield of harvested turmeric tubers at the beginning of the season is quite high compared to previous years.

Farmers in Nghi Kieu commune (Nghi Loc) harvest turmeric. Photo: Nhat Tuan

The whole commune currently has about 200 households growing turmeric and providing starch processing services. To have good turmeric starch, the turmeric must first be thoroughly washed, free of sand and dirt. Previously, washing was done manually, but now most of this process is done by machine, helping to clean the raw materials and shortening the time and labor.

Many investors buy high-capacity turmeric grinders, which can grind 1.2 - 1.5 tons of turmeric per day. After grinding, the turmeric is soaked in clean water for a while, then squeezed to extract the starch. Previously, it was squeezed by hand, now it is all done by machine. Many households have invested in modern equipment, and can squeeze 300 kg of ground turmeric in just half an hour.

After being squeezed and filtered, turmeric starch is dried before being dried. Photo: Nhat Tuan

Previously, this drying stage depended on the weather, but now it is more proactive thanks to electric starch dryers. Therefore, turmeric starch processing can still take place even on rainy days.

Currently, the turmeric starch processing industry in Nghi Kieu creates jobs for more than 200 local workers; the average income reaches over 35 million VND/person/year. Many households have expanded their production scale to consume turmeric tubers or process turmeric starch for other families in and outside the locality.

Like the family of Ms. Hoang Thi Hang in Hamlet 17, Nghi Kieu Commune, invested nearly 100 million VND to build a factory, drill well, buy RO water filter, filter press, and turmeric starch dryer. Every day, she processes more than 1 ton of turmeric for people in the area; each crop is about 300 tons of tubers.

Or Mr. Le Van Thuong in hamlet 15B has opened a turmeric starch processing factory in hamlet 18. He is currently completing the production line, preparing to put it into operation. According to Mr. Thuong, when it goes into production, it can process up to 5 tons of turmeric root per day, producing more than 300 kg of starch products. Currently, he has many customers in Hanoi and the southern provinces placing orders in quite large quantities.

Some families invest in equipment, increasing productivity in processing turmeric starch. Photo: Nhat Tuan

Last year, grade 1 turmeric starch was priced at 300,000 VND/kg during the main season and increased to 450,000 - 500,000 VND at the end of the season. This year, due to high production, the price of starch is currently 250,000 - 260,000 VND/kg. On average, 1 sao of turmeric produces 1 ton of tubers, worth 10 million VND. When processed, 70kg of starch will be obtained, earning 18 million VND.

Many families produce turmeric in large quantities, such as Mr. Hoang Thanh Bien and Mr. Hoang Van Nga in hamlet 17; Mr. Nguyen Van Dong, Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuy and Mr. Nguyen Duc Tin in hamlet 18 produce turmeric samples, earning over 200 million VND/crop in previous years.

Thanks to the development of turmeric starch growing and processing, in 2017, Nghi Kieu commune was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a craft village for turmeric starch production and processing for two villages: Tan Hop (Hamlet 17) and Kieu Moc (Hamlet 18).

This year, turmeric cultivation has not only expanded in Nghi Kieu commune but also to neighboring communes such as Nghi Lam and Nghi Van. Each commune has 10 hectares. Currently, turmeric products from these two localities are mainly imported for processing by households in Nghi Kieu commune.

The total turmeric output of Nghi Loc district reached 2,400 tons. Photo: Nhat Tuan

With a total area of ​​120 hectares in the district, the output of turmeric root reaches 2,400 tons; after processing, nearly 170 tons of starch will be obtained. At current prices, the total value of production and processing of turmeric starch in Nghi Loc is estimated at about 43 billion VND.

Mr. Dong Binh Dinh - Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghi Loc district said: the district is directing Nghi Kieu commune to gradually build a brand for turmeric starch products, promote and expand the market, and find partners to consume products for the people. In the immediate future, the district will not expand the area of ​​turmeric cultivation, only focus on intensive cultivation of this crop within the existing 120 hectares. The locality needs to guide people to choose turmeric varieties with high yield and good starch quality to put into production to achieve high economic efficiency.

Nhat Tuan