Growing medicinal plants, the Tay industrial engineer in Thai Nguyen helps many people have a stable income.

Born and raised in Yen Trach commune, a poor commune of Phu Luong district, Thai Nguyen province, in 2014, Nguyen Quoc Hoang (born in 1991, Tay ethnic group) graduated from Thai Nguyen University of Industrial Technology.

After working in many different fields, in 2020, Mr. Hoang decided to return to his hometown to start a business with a passion for agriculture and a determination to stay on the land and the forest. Many people think that this will be a risky decision for the industrial engineer in computer engineering.

The lush green trellis of wild bitter melon is grown organically by Tien Phong Agricultural Cooperative (Yen Trach commune, Phu Luong district). Photo: Quoc Hoang.

But, with the thought that every choice brings opportunities and challenges, as long as you are passionate and constantly creative, the path to success will always be open.

Thinking is doing, in 2018, Mr. Hoang joined Tien Phong Agricultural Cooperative specializing in the field of growing medicinal plants, mainly Solanum procumbens. At that time, the Cooperative was still young with only 7 members, not having much experience, so the Solanum procumbens growing model was initially unsuccessful.

However, "standing up wherever he stumbles", Mr. Hoang boldly took over the cooperative and became Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Tien Phong Agricultural Cooperative.

Born into a family with a tradition of practicing traditional medicine, Mr. Hoang inherited and learned many medicinal herbs growing in the northern mountains of Thai Nguyen province. However, to gain a deeper understanding, he chose to study Traditional Medicine at the Intermediate level and graduated in 2022.

Through the process of research and learning, seeing the strengths of his homeland, Mr. Hoang decided to choose wild bitter melon to grow and develop. Initially, he experimented on an area of ​​0.8 hectares and was successful, bringing in revenue of more than 500 million VND.

Mr. Hoang chose wild bitter melon to plant and develop on a large area. Photo: Quoc Hoang

In 2024, Mr. Hoang expanded the scale, increasing the total area of ​​​​wild bitter melon to 3.3 hectares and making wild bitter melon the main crop of the Cooperative. Along with that, he intercropped other medicinal plants such as: Khôi nhung, du du, ba kích... all of which are grown completely organically. It is expected that in early 2025, he will expand the area of ​​​​wild bitter melon by another 4 hectares to meet market demand.

Sharing with PV Dan Viet , Mr. Hoang said: From wild bitter melon, the cooperative has researched and produced products that are effective in supporting disease treatment such as: sliced ​​wild bitter melon tea, whole dried wild bitter melon tea and tea bags.

Wild bitter melon is grown at Tien Phong Agricultural Cooperative (Phu Luong, Thai Nguyen). Photo: Quoc Hoang.

In addition, the Cooperative also develops products from other medicinal plants with a total of 15 products such as: Stomach extract, blood fat extract, bone and joint extract, topical extract, medicinal herb extract of khôi nhung, liver extract, medicinal herb extract of cà gai leo, nam leaves for bone and joint application...

To date, all products have traceability stamps and are granted food safety certificates. In 2023, the cooperative sold about 4,000 products of all kinds to the market. In 2024, the cooperative strives to achieve organic, VietGAP and OCOP certification for its products.

In 2024, Mr. Hoang plans to build an OCOP brand for wild bitter melon products. Photo: Quoc Hoang

In addition, the cooperative has also built a health care center to support the treatment of bone and joint diseases using physical therapy and herbal medicine to cure many patients, gaining the trust of the people.

To date, the number of members of the cooperative has increased to 14, of which the cooperative is creating jobs for nearly 20 workers, mainly ethnic minorities, with an average salary of 6 million VND/person/month. Along with selling through traditional methods, the cooperative also focuses on developing information technology, building a sales team, promoting and consulting products on social networking platforms. Thanks to that, the cooperative's products are brought to the market more and more widely, quickly and effectively.

Ms. Trinh Ngoc Tra - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Phu Luong district assessed: The economic development model of Tien Phong Agricultural Cooperative in general and of Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoang in particular is one of the typical economic models of the locality that many leaders, businesses as well as cooperatives in and outside the province have visited and learned from.

In addition, Mr. Hoang was also invited to participate in many programs introducing and orienting careers for students... In particular, in 2022, Mr. Hoang received a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee for his outstanding achievements in labor production.

Besides participating in economic development, Mr. Hoang also actively participates in social charity activities, supporting and helping disadvantaged families and policy families in the locality.

Mr. Hoang's start-up process not only affirms the value of creativity and perseverance but also opens up many new opportunities for local people, creating momentum for sustainable economic development and community cohesion, thereby contributing to improving the lives and economy of people in the area and neighboring areas.

Source: https://danviet.vn/trong-cay-duoc-lieu-chang-ky-su-cong-nghiep-nguoi-tay-thai-nguyen-giup-nhieu-ba-con-co-thu-nhap-on-dinh-2024062310260626.htm