With the determination to find a sustainable economic development direction for her family, Ms. Le Thi The (born in 1982, Phuong Son village, Kim Song Truong commune, Can Loc, Ha Tinh) has successfully produced medicinal herbs from Solanum procumbens.
Ms. Le Thi The (Phuong Son village, Kim Song Truong commune).
At this time, the Solanum procumbens fields in Phuong Son village, Kim Song Truong commune (Can Loc) are lush, with lush green foliage. Twice a day, Ms. Le Thi The (Phuong Son village) goes to the fields to clean the grass and check the growth and development of the medicinal plant.
Ms. The recalls: "In 2019, my husband and I left our hometown of Quynh Luu (Nghe An) to start a business in Ha Tinh. After many different jobs, in 2020, my family decided to rent 3 hectares of agricultural land to develop a comprehensive farm economy with trees such as oranges, guavas; raising chickens, ducks... In 2022, realizing that the old crops were ineffective and the unused land fund was large, I boldly switched to specialized cultivation of the herb Solanum procumbens.
This is a precious herb, effective in treating liver diseases and the demand for products related to this plant is very high.
Ms. The is present in the beds from the time the plants first sprout until they grow well.
On an area of more than 2 sao, Ms. The invested more than 200 million VND to renovate the ground, make beds, install irrigation systems... to develop the medicinal herb area of Solanum procumbens in an organic direction.
"In the first season, the weather was hot and sunny, many beds had to be replanted many times due to lack of water. Solanum procumbens has many branches and sharp thorns, making it difficult to perform technical operations (weeding, fertilizing, harvesting, processing), reducing labor productivity, and affecting the organic farming process. At that time, although I was quite worried, I was determined to do it to the end. I actively researched and went to many places to understand the process of planting and caring for this plant," Ms. The confided.
While working, learning and gaining experience, in just 5 months, the Solanum procumbens branches grew long and covered the ground, flowers and fruits began to appear. Almost every day, she was present in the beds from the time the plants first sprouted until they grew luxuriantly. From 2 sao of Solanum procumbens, up to now, the scale of Solanum procumbens cultivation of Ms. The's family has reached more than 1.5 hectares.
The area of 1.5 hectares of Solanum procumbens planted by Ms. The's family.
Currently, each year, the Solanum procumbens production area of Ms. The's family produces 3 crops with an output of about 6 - 7 tons/ha/crop, bringing in an income of about 300 million VND/ha/crop. The model has created jobs for 10 local workers, including 4 regular workers.
Regarding how to grow Solanum procumbens, Ms. The said: The land must be raised, fertilized with manure, and the plant can still grow on barren land, as long as there is water. After making the bed, cover it with plastic sheeting and install a water-saving irrigation system. Next, punch holes in the sheeting and plant Solanum procumbens. After planting, fertilize once every 25-30 days, and after 3-4 months the plant will be ready for harvest.
The process of caring for Solanum procumbens does not use plant protection chemicals but prevents pests and diseases with biological drugs (herbs, microorganisms), manual weeding combined with using nylon film to cover the beds to keep the soil moist, reduce watering, prevent erosion and nutrient leaching and limit weeds.
The water-saving irrigation system ensures water source for Solanum procumbens plants during hot season.
It is known that Solanum procumbens likes light, grows well, is drought-tolerant, cannot withstand waterlogging, and is suitable for planting in nutrient-rich soil. Solanum procumbens flowers are light purple, usually bloom from April to September, and produce fruit from September to December.
Solanum procumbens fruit is red, shiny, slightly spicy, and warm. The plant is propagated by seeds, and can be harvested for 3-4 years after planting once. Compared to rice, corn, and peanuts, Solanum procumbens gives 3-4 times more profit.
Ms. The invested in a filter bag packaging machine system.
At Ms. The’s farm, after harvesting, the Solanum procumbens plants are washed, dried, cut into 3-5 cm pieces and sold to units in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An for processing and producing medicinal herbs. In addition, she also invested in a system of machines to dry, grind and package the products into filter bags for convenient use.
Sharing about the model's future development orientation, Ms. The said: "We will continue to build a profile, borrow more capital to invest in a distillation system to produce Solanum procumbens extract to make it more convenient and diverse in the use of this herb, aiming to build it into a key local OCOP product.
In addition to focusing on care, we continue to expand the area, plant new herbs; mobilize more families with underdeveloped hilly areas to invest in developing the area, increasing income for local people."
Ms. Le Thi The is one of the typical factors contributing to the formation of medicinal plant growing areas. Thereby, helping farmers change their agricultural production mindset, increase income and improve their lives. In the coming time, the local government will continue to care, support and accompany farmers to develop medicinal plants sustainably in the area.
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