Growing basil, a new model on cinnamon land
Farmers in Que Phong district grow basil to import for businesses to use as raw materials for pharmaceutical processing. This is a new model that can be replicated on a large scale.
Mr. Quang Van Quy - Head of the Farmers' Association of Phuong Tien 2 village, Tien Phong commune (Que Phong), is always a pioneer in local movements, especially in developing household economy. Last July, with the support of the Commune Farmers' Association, Mr. Quy implemented a basil planting model with a scale of 2,000m2in the home garden. Up to now, after more than 2 months of care, the tree is ready to harvest.
He said: Implementing the model, the Commune Farmers' Association supported seeds, NPK fertilizer and guidance on planting and care techniques. During the care process, it was shown that basil can withstand drought, does not need much watering, prefers high land, is pest-free, and can be grown by many families.
“Currently, basil is ready to be harvested, but due to unfavorable weather, I am waiting a few days, when it is sunny, I will harvest it, and the company will buy it right there. According to the company's instructions, the way to harvest basil is to cut the plant in half, take the upper part and sell it to the company, and keep the lower part, keep the roots, and continue to care for it to grow. Accordingly, one planting can yield 3 harvests before replanting,” Mr. Quang Van Quy shared.
Mr. Luong Van Ha - Chairman of Tien Phong Commune Farmers' Association said: The reason why the Commune Farmers' Association implemented the basil planting model is because there is a medicinal herb processing enterprise in Quy Hop district cooperating to plant for raw materials. In the immediate future, the Commune Farmers' Association will implement 2 models at Mr. Luong Van Quy's household in Phuong Tien 2 village and one model in Na Chang resettlement village, with a total area of 2,500m2.
Evaluation shows that households planted and cared for the plants properly, the plants grew evenly, and had the potential to yield high yields. By mid-September, the basil was ready to be harvested.
“The first implementation of the model shows that basil is easy to grow on high hills, has a short growing time, and can be harvested after only 2 months. Realizing that this is a crop that does not require much investment capital and can be grown by any family, the Commune Farmers' Association will expand the area to meet the raw material needs of businesses and increase income for farmers,” said Mr. Luong Van Ha.
Mr. Luong Van Ha also just said that after the recent storm, the business has purchased basil plants at the price of 3,000 VND/kg, with 100m2, people get 70 - 80 kg. However, the next crop will yield higher yields, because people harvest by cutting the plant horizontally, so the remaining roots will sprout more. At the same time as Tien Phong commune, the Farmers' Association of Chau Kim commune also implemented a basil planting model with an area of 800m2.
Mr. Mac Van Tuat - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Que Phong district said that for a long time, people have mainly grown basil in their home gardens as a spice vegetable, sold in small quantities to restaurants and eateries, and the value is not high. However, when businesses sign contracts to grow and consume products, basil will truly become a commodity, creating a source of income for people. If businesses buy at a reasonable and long-term price, the Farmers' Association of the district will direct the farmers' associations of communes to expand the area, in order to take advantage of the available land resources of households to increase income.
