Growing winter chrysanthemums in highland areas helps increase crops and improve soil.

LAO CAI Growing chrysanthemums as medicinal herbs not only helps people in the highlands increase their crops but also improves the soil, facilitating organic rice production in the following crops.

LAO CAI Growing chrysanthemums as medicinal herbs not only helps people in the highlands increase their crops but also improves the soil, facilitating organic rice production in the following crops.

In the highlands, people can only produce one rice crop per year. When winter comes, the temperature drops sharply, making crop production very difficult, economic efficiency is low, so the land is almost abandoned, which is a waste.

Faced with this situation, the Agricultural Service Center of Bat Xat district has piloted growing chrysanthemums in highland communes to help people in the highlands increase their crops and income. On the other hand, growing chrysanthemums also helps improve the soil and reduce the risk of pests and diseases on rice plants in subsequent crops when rotating and intercropping.

Chrysanthemum is very suitable for the climate and soil in the highlands. Photo: Hai Dang.

According to Mr. Si Trung Kien, Director of the Agricultural Service Center of Bat Xat district, the rotation of dry crops and wet crops will help eliminate many pathogens in the soil. While producing chrysanthemums with standards for medicinal plants, it also contributes to the management and development of organic rice areas on this area. Thereby increasing the value of the cultivated land area.

Currently, chrysanthemums are being grown on a pilot basis at two locations, Quang Kim commune and Muong Hum commune of Bat Xat district.

Mr. Tan Lao San in Ky Quan San village, Muong Hum commune is one of the households using the area of ​​​​rice land that is not produced in winter to grow chrysanthemums. After more than a month, the chrysanthemums have grown and developed well, suitable for the climate of the highlands.

“Growing chrysanthemums is not too complicated technically. Seeds, all fertilizers, and biological products for planting and care until harvest are provided to farmers. Participating households are guided through the steps of fertilizing, mounding, and branching.

Chrysanthemum is a dry-growing plant, so the soil must be loose and rich in nutrients, and growers must be careful not to let the plants become waterlogged. Because chrysanthemum is grown for medicinal purposes, farmers must absolutely not use pesticides or herbicides to ensure the product is absolutely safe," Mr. Tan Lao San shared.

This winter crop, Muong Hum commune planned to plant 10 hectares of chrysanthemums, however, due to the impact of storm No. 3, the crop was delayed. Therefore, for now, chrysanthemums are planted on a small scale in some households. After a specific assessment, they will be expanded to mass planting.

Chrysanthemum plants are expected to help people in the highlands increase their crops and income in the winter, while also contributing to improving the soil for organic rice production in other crops of the year. Photo: Hai Dang.

Mr. Chau Van Chung, Chairman of Muong Hum Commune People's Committee, said that the units implementing the model will closely coordinate with the locality and the district's agricultural sector during the planting, care, harvesting period and build technical and economic standards suitable to the local climate, soil, and farming conditions to improve productivity, quality, and economic efficiency for farmers.

At the agricultural extension farm of the Agricultural Service Center of Bat Xat district in Lang Quang village, Quang Kim commune (Bat Xat district), nearly 1 hectare of chrysanthemums have begun to bloom. However, the chrysanthemums here will not be harvested immediately but will be left to grow strong and then propagated. According to Mr. Si Trung Kiem, self-producing the seeds will help reduce the cost by half compared to buying seedlings in the lowland provinces and increase the economic efficiency of chrysanthemums.

According to the Agricultural Service Center of Bat Xat district, after the area of ​​chrysanthemum cultivation is expanded, the district will register a growing area code to monitor production status, control pests and trace the origin of the products. Fresh flower products after harvest are now linked with businesses, purchasing them on the spot at a price of 21,000 VND/kg...

Chrysanthemum is a perennial plant originating from East Asia. To date, chrysanthemum has been isolated with more than 190 chemical components. Chrysanthemum has many pharmacological properties that are good for health such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory and liver protection... This plant is also very suitable for growing in highland areas.

Chrysanthemum plants are very strong, growing in highland areas is almost free of pests and diseases. To make seeds, people can use branches from the previous crop to grow for the next crop, so they only need to invest in the first crop. Meanwhile, harvesting flowers only requires a little skill to avoid losing petals, crushing flowers, and ensuring flower quality. The current farming practices of people in highland areas can completely meet these requirements of the joint unit.

Source: https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/trong-hoa-cuc-chi-vu-dong-o-vung-cao-giup-tang-vu-cai-tao-dat-d410102.html