Invested nearly 1.5 billion VND to plant vetiver trees in Quy Hop

(Baonghean.vn) - Planting projectfor Thai people with a total cost of 1,470 million VND has been implemented in Chau Cuong commune, Quy Hop district (Nghe An).

From the end of 2015 to June 2017, the Vietnam Horticulture Promotion and Service Center implemented the project: "Building a model of growing vetiver trees, training in incense making to contribute to sustainable management of forest resources and creating stable livelihoods for Thai people" in Chau Cuong commune (Quy Hop) with a total budget of 1,470 million VND.

Project to build a model of growing vetiver plants and training in incense making in Chau Cuong commune (Quy Hop). Photo: Thu Huong

With the "hand-holding" method, after more than 2 years of project implementation, many Thai ethnic households in Chau Cuong commune have participated. In 2015, only more than 50 households registered to plant vetiver in Ban Nha, Ban Khi and Ban Teo with an area of ​​nearly 7 hectares. By early 2017, the number had increased to 97 households with more than 12 hectares and expanded to 4 more villages: Dong Tien, Muong Ham, Ban Nguong and Ha Dong.

Up to now, people have harvested 1 crop with an area of ​​7 hectares, yielding 13-14 tons of fresh roots/ha; income from 66-72 million VND/ha; compared to growing acacia, the value is 7 times higher.

Currently, the planting area for the fall crop of 2016 and the spring crop of 2017 is growing well, the average height of the vetiver plant is 20 - 30cm, and will be harvested at the end of this year.

Exchanging techniques for growing vetiver plants in Nha village, Chau Cuong commune (Quy Chau). Photo: Thu Huong

Along with technical support, fertilizers, and seedlings, the project also organized 3 field trips for people to learn about planting vetiver trees in Thanh Thuy and Thanh Nho communes (Thanh Chuong) and incense making techniques in Quy Chau district.

In addition, the project also organized 2 incense making training classes for 50 students in 7 hamlets with vetiver plantations. These two training groups produced more than 10,000 incense sticks for sale on the market, earning a value of 30 million VND.

Project members and district leaders visited the vetiver planting model of Ms. Lo Thi Thuy's family in Teo village, Chau Cuong commune with an area of ​​6 sao. Photo: Thu Huong

Currently, people continue to maintain an area of ​​more than 5 hectares of vetiver plants, estimated to bring in an income of more than 300 million VND, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction in the locality down to 31%; bringing 2 villages, Dong Tien and Ha Dong of Chau Cuong commune, to the new rural finish line this year.

Thu Huong