Application of science and technology in tea production and processing

Tea growing area in Ba Dinh hamlet (Tan Long commune, Dong Hy) has 15 hectares of production according to VietGAP standards.

Transforming the breed structure and applying technology

Dong Hy district is the third largest tea growing area in the province with 3,936 hectares. In order to improve production efficiency, in recent times, in addition to encouraging and motivating households to change the structure of tea varieties, introducing new varieties with good resistance to pests and diseases and high quality, Dong Hy has also implemented a policy of supporting 70% of the price of new tea varieties.

In the period of 2022-2024 alone, Dong Hy district has supported tea seed prices for 75.9 hectares; people in the district have newly planted and replanted over 320 hectares of new tea varieties, increasing the current area of ​​new tea varieties in the district to 82% of the total area.

In addition, the district has also implemented programs and policies to promote mechanization in tea production and processing. The district currently has more than 1,500 electric sprayers and 2,000 tea pruning machines, contributing to 90% of the area being pruned by machines, reducing manual labor and increasing productivity; over 950 hectares of tea use a rotary valve irrigation system (an increase of 250 hectares compared to 2020). This system not only helps people proactively irrigate according to the right season but also contributes to improving the productivity and quality of tea, especially in the winter crop.

The entire Dong Hy district has over 950 hectares of tea using a rotary valve irrigation system.

In the processing stage, tea cooperatives in the district have constantly improved technical processes, applied modern technologies such as electric roasters, gas roasters, vacuum machines, automatic packaging machines and cold storage systems...

According to preliminary statistics, Dong Hy district has more than 30 large-capacity processing facilities and more than 1,000 small-scale facilities, with an average output of 50 tons of fresh tea buds per day.

Brand development and networking

The application of science - technology and modern machinery does not only stop at the production and processing stage but is also applied by people in building brands. Up to now, Dong Hy district has built 2 collective tea brands: Song Cau tea, Trai Cai tea and tea production models according to VietGAP and organic standards in tea areas concentrated in Minh Lap, Khe Mo, Van Han, Hoa Binh communes, Song Cau town....

Currently, the tea production area according to VietGAP standards reaches 2,420 hectares (an increase of nearly 1,000 hectares compared to 2020), of which nearly 800 hectares of tea are certified VietGAP and organic (accounting for 20.5% of the total tea area in the district).

Thanks to the application of machinery in the care and processing stages, the productivity and quality of tea products in Dong Hy have been improved.

In addition, the district also encourages cooperatives and enterprises to promote cooperation, produce according to safety standards, and build their own brands. The district coordinates with functional agencies to support over 364,000 QR origin traceability stamps for households and production facilities, helping consumers easily look up product history, thereby creating trust in the district's agricultural products. To date, 23 tea products have been recognized as OCOP, of which 3 products have achieved 4 stars.

According to Mr. Duong Van Thinh, Director of Sao Thinh Tea Cooperative: In 2024, the Cooperative successfully built a 3-star OCOP product by linking households and building raw material areas that meet VietGAP standards. Currently, the Cooperative purchases 3-6 quintals of fresh tea every day, thanks to the support of 40 rolling machines, 5 tea roasting machines, tea ball removing machines, vacuum machines... With only 3 employees, the Cooperative's workshop produces an average of 100-120kg of dry tea every day.

The application of science and technology in improving the quality of varieties and synchronizing the planting, production and processing processes has contributed to increasing the income value from tea production in Dong Hy district to 250-300 million VND/ha/year.

In 2024, the output of fresh tea buds will reach 45,500 tons (an increase of 3,935 tons compared to 2020); the output of processed tea will reach 9,100 tons, bringing a value of up to 1,820 billion VND.

To continue to effectively support people in applying science and technology to production, according to Mr. Ngo Xuan Huy, Vice Chairman of Dong Hy District People's Committee: The District People's Committee will continue to direct localities to encourage households and establishments to promote the application of high technology in tea production and processing, while expanding the consumption market. With the orientation of sustainable development, the tea industry of Dong Hy District promises to become one of the key economic sectors, contributing positively to the overall development of the locality.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202504/ung-dung-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-trong-san-xuat-che-bien-che-ccb142f/