Dak Nong medicinal herbs are still small-scale, difficult to find outlets

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Duong's family started producing medicinal herbs in Dak Ha commune (Dak Glong) since 2010. In the 7-hectare area, Mrs. Duong grows medicinal herbs, mainly scorpion turmeric.

According to Ms. Duong, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has analyzed that scorpion turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects and cures fibroids... However, the uses of this plant have not been recognized by the Ministry of Health.

However, her family is still patient with the development of scorpion turmeric. She mobilizes more people to participate in the production of scorpion turmeric and stands up to buy the product.

She estimates that 1 hectare of turmeric can yield 20 tons of tubers. With an average selling price of 50,000 VND/kg, scorpion turmeric growers can earn hundreds of millions of VND/hectare/crop.

brother-1-listen(1).jpg — Scorpion turmeric is a medicinal herb that is being grown a lot in Dak Ha (Dak Glong).

As the raw material area grew larger, the family invested in machinery and dozens of workers to process scorpion turmeric essence. However, due to unstable output, production encountered many difficulties.

Most of the scorpion turmeric products are sold raw. The turmeric essence has not yet received attention from the market. Therefore, she hopes that the Ministry of Health will soon recognize the uses of scorpion turmeric.

"My family also hopes to receive more support with machinery and connect with deep processing businesses to promote the potential of local medicinal herbs," said Ms. Duong.

Also in Dak Ha commune, An Phuc Khang Medicinal Plants Cooperative also chose scorpion turmeric as its main medicinal plant. At the same time, the Cooperative built a nursery and tested hundreds of valuable medicinal plant varieties.

Currently, the cooperative has expanded the medicinal material growing area to hundreds of hectares. The cooperative has become a place to purchase medicinal products grown or naturally harvested by local people.

Currently, the cooperative is creating jobs and stable income for dozens of local workers. The cooperative has invested in many machines for processing medicinal materials.

The cooperative has successfully processed more than 20 medicinal herbs, essential oils and extracts. However, the cooperative's leaders admit that the output of medicinal herbs and essential oils is quite limited.

According to Vice Chairman of Dak Ha Commune People's Committee Hoang Van Dong, the potential of medicinal herbs in the locality is huge. Units and individuals in the area have chosen the direction of developing medicinal herbs and investing in processing machinery. The economic efficiency brought about by medicinal herbs is quite positive.

However, most of the medicinal products are newly processed. Although the price is much lower than the same type of medicinal products on the market, finding an outlet is not easy.

image-2-product(1).jpg — Many medicinal products in Dak Nong face difficulties in consumption due to lack of competitiveness.

“The products of high quality and essential oils have not been certified, so their competitiveness is very weak. The design and packaging of the products are much worse than other types on the market. The locality is supporting these products to achieve OCOP certification, gradually increasing their competitiveness,” said Mr. Dong.

Not only in Dak Ha, many units and individuals producing medicinal herbs in other localities have to find their own outlets. Some individuals have initially achieved positive economic results, but admit that it is difficult to expand production.

Mr. Vu Xuan Mai, in Nghia Duc ward (Gia Nghia) said that his family grows tea and processes it into dried products. He finds a market for the product himself, selling it for 200,000 VND/kg.

There were times when customers placed many orders, but the family did not dare to accept them because of a lack of raw materials. However, he is facing difficulties in expanding the raw material area. Partly because of lack of capital, lack of machinery and most importantly, concern about product output.

Source