Quy Chau replicates the model of growing aromatic roots

(Baognhean) -Originally a native plant, in recent years the agarwood root has been planted and widely propagated in Quy Chau to make incense - a famous product, with effective methods such as intercropping with acacia, rubber...

Mr. Ha Van Khuong - an officer of the Quy Chau District Agricultural Extension Station said: Realizing the high economic efficiency of the agarwood tree, and the natural conditions in Quy Chau are very suitable for this tree, in 2006, the Agricultural Extension Station began to build a rotational cropping model combining agarwood under the canopy of acacia trees. From the effectiveness of this model, in 2010, the Station continued to implement the model of planting under the canopy of rubber trees, with initial very positive results. It is expected that these models will continue to be replicated, contributing to hunger eradication, poverty reduction and progress towards enrichment.

Agarwood root.

Originally a native plant, the agarwood tree grows naturally on the mountains, mainly in the forests that regenerate after slash-and-burn farming. According to the assessment of long-time incense makers, the agarwood tree here is bushy, long, yellow and has a strong fragrance. The incense making profession in Quy Chau has existed for a long time, the agarwood tree is taken from the forest, dried, and ground to make famous aromatic agarwood trees.

However, with the increasingly developing incense making industry, natural incense roots are no longer enough to meet the demand. In 2006, realizing the effectiveness that this plant can bring as well as suitable natural conditions, the District Agricultural Extension Station built a rotational cropping model combining incense roots under the acacia canopy, at the foot of hills with high humidity and large amounts of humus.

Initially, the model of planting 4 hectares of agarwood roots under the canopy of 10 hectares of acacia in Hoa Hai village (Chau Hanh commune) has brought about very positive results, with an average yield of 4.5 - 5 tons of fresh roots/ha, bringing in hundreds of millions of VND/ha. Since then, the Station has continued to expand the area of ​​agarwood roots by 3 - 4 hectares each year in the communes of Chau Phong, Chau Binh, Chau Tien, etc. Up to now, there have been 8 more hectares of agarwood roots model under 18 hectares of acacia trees that have developed well. Along with the program of the New Economic Development Board of the district, each year Quy Chau has about 10 hectares of agarwood roots intercropped with acacia.

Agricultural Extension Station staff organized an evaluation of the model of growing aromatic roots.

Mr. Lo Van Tuan (Hanh Khai block - Tan Lac), the first household chosen to build this model, said: Rubber trees and agarwood roots are both growing very well. Rubber trees have a survival rate of 90% and agarwood roots are 95%. Currently, the agarwood roots have sprouted beautiful branches, and no pests or diseases have been detected. If this continues to be favorable, his family will continue to expand the area, because the consumption of this type of tree is very favorable, with a high price (currently about 20,000 VND/kg).

It is expected that Quy Chau district will continue to expand the model of intercropping with agarwood roots in other communes in the district, meeting market demand and helping people get rich. From the model of intercropping agarwood roots with acacia and rubber, research will be conducted to develop a model of planting under different tree canopies, including planted forests and natural forests.

Phu Huong