Increase the value of medicinal plants

In recent years, Sa Pa farmers have had a stable income from growing medicinal artichoke plants.

For more than 10 years, the medicinal plant artichoke has been grown by people in Sa Pa town under contracts. The leaves are sold to affiliated businesses at an average price of 2,300 VND/kg. Thanks to growing artichoke, many households have had an additional source of income. Sa Pa currently has 45.5 hectares of artichoke, bringing in an income of nearly 6 billion VND per year for growers. Mr. Ma A Lu, Group 2, Ham Rong Ward, Sa Pa town shared: "To grow artichoke, we have to plant early, harvest the leaves this time, then the tree will have more leaves later, making our efforts worthwhile. Now we grow for the company, we have to grow cleanly, later they will buy them to make medicine."

Currently, the entire artichoke output in Sa Pa town purchased by Traphaco Sa Pa One Member Co., Ltd. is certified to meet the principles and standards of "Good Practices for Cultivation and Collection of Medicinal Herbs" as recommended by the World Health Organization and is processed deeply, creating branded products. Ms. Ngo Thu Hoai, Quality Management Department, Traphaco Sa Pa One Member Co., Ltd. shared: "Research in conjunction with the development department of the parent company, Traphaco Company, to create the most unique products associated with Lao Cai province such as Sapa Artichoke Soft Extract; Sapa Artichoke Mist Tea has been certified 5 stars by the province".

Thanks to research in production and deep processing, the medicinal plant artichoke is increasingly valued to create quality products.

Up to now, Traphaco Sa Pa One Member Co., Ltd. has 10 products that have achieved OCOP certification from 3 to 5 stars, such as: Sa Pa fresh and dried Cordyceps; Detox Chocolate; Sa Pa climbing tea; Sa Pa Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea; Cordyceps sinensis… These are not only good health supplements for consumers but also evidence of the effectiveness of deep processing in enhancing the value of medicinal plants. Mr. Do Tien Sy, Director of Traphaco Sa Pa One Member Co., Ltd. shared: “The company has expanded its research into new medicinal herbs such as naturally grown and semi-naturally grown Cordyceps, creating very different products. During the research process, it has also linked with schools and institutes, creating different research results.”

By 2025, Lao Cai strives to develop the medicinal plant area to over 5,000 hectares, along with encouraging businesses to research, deeply process, diversify products, increase the value of medicinal plants, increase revenue, and contribute to changing the lives of people in highland areas and ethnic minorities in localities in the province.

The Long - Thanh Thuan

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