Increasing income for Muong Lai women from traditional handicrafts

Originally just self-sufficient products used in each family, but thanks to quickly grasping the consumer tastes of tourists, a group of Tay ethnic women in Muong Lai commune (Luc Yen district, Yen Bai province) have turned traditional local hand-woven products into goods to serve customers near and far.

"Fishing rod" for elderly women with poor health

Ms. Ninh Thi Hoa - head of the Cooperative Group weaving traditional handicraft products of the Tay ethnic group in Muong Lai commune, warmly invited us to taste the fresh rose apples that had just been picked from the garden. She said that the Cooperative Group was established in August 2022, initially with 3 members, now with 10 members, all from the same village 4. The Cooperative Group was established to create suitable jobs and improve income for some elderly women with poor health who do not have the conditions to work far away.

Ms. Ninh Thi Bach (85 years old) is the oldest member of the Cooperative. She said that she was bored at home so she joined the Cooperative to relieve her old age, earn extra income to help her children and grandchildren, and teach weaving experience to the next generation of members.

Ms. Hoa introduces a silk product priced at 150 - 200 thousand/piece.

Ms. Hua Thi Long (57 years old) has a tricuspid valve defect and has undergone an appendectomy and a breast tumor removal. She currently has a thyroid tumor but the hospital did not prescribe surgery because of her poor health. Since the end of last year, she has joined the cooperative and feels more motivated.

Similarly, Ms. Ninh Thi Thiep (59 years old) has been to Hanoi 4 times for surgery on bile duct obstruction, thyroid gland and spine, so she cannot do heavy work. Fortunately, thanks to the Cooperative Group, she has an additional income of several million VND per month to maintain her medication.

In addition, the Cooperative has many women who do not want to leave their hometown, so in addition to farming and raising livestock, they are satisfied with the average additional income of 2 to 2.5 million VND/person/month from this weaving job.

Exploiting local potential

According to Ms. Ninh Thi Hoa, since the beginning of this year, the number of exported woven products has doubled compared to before because at the end of 2023, she brought her products to introduce at the district's "Travel to the Jade Land" event, so many tourists know about them.

Currently, she exports 80-100 products of various types to Hanoi every week, including ceremonial baskets, knife covers, fish baskets, baskets, betel leaves, palm leaf hats, etc., with an average value of 5-6 million VND/week. "Yesterday, the team just exported a batch of goods worth 5.5 million VND, everyone was divided according to the products made, so we were very excited," said Ms. Hoa.

In addition, Ms. Hoa also maintains online sales of traditional woven products of the Cooperative on Tictok, Zalo, etc.

Products made by Tay ethnic women in remote communes are now available in several provinces and cities across the country.

It is known that Muong Lai commune is a locality with abundant bamboo and te (guot) raw materials to develop traditional handicraft weaving. Ms. Hoa said that the district has very few establishments weaving traditional handicraft products. With the connection of the commune government, a business offered to sponsor the Cooperative Group with machinery for production, but the women refused because they wanted their products to be completely handmade.

In recent times, the local government and Women's Union have paid great attention to and created opportunities for the Cooperative to promote and introduce products and participate in fairs in the district and province. As a result, sales have increased significantly. Ms. Hoa shared that she is struggling with the problem of expanding the product consumption market. This is also a new direction with many prospects, for Muong Lai to promote its potential advantages, develop the traditional handicraft weaving profession, create more jobs and income for local people during the off-season.

There are currently 02 traditional weaving cooperatives in the commune. Both cooperatives not only help members improve their lives but also contribute to preserving national identity, attracting tourists, and protecting the green environment. In particular, they exploit the potential strengths of the locality to develop production and build new rural areas in a sustainable way.

Secretary of Muong Lai Commune Party Committee Trieu Van Huan

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/yen-bai-phu-nu-muong-lai-tang-thu-nhap-tu-nghe-thu-cong-truyen-thong-20240614165523484.htm