In the 'counting leaves to collect money' season, Nghe An farmers earn millions of dong every day

Video: During the "counting leaves to earn money" season, farmers immediately earn millions of dong every day

Nghi An Commune (Vinh City) was once considered the “capital” of betel growing in Nghe An. At its peak, there were hundreds of households growing betel, not only serving the needs of the province but also exporting to Taiwan. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the foreign market “frozen”, the area of betel growing was reduced. Currently, there are only a few dozen families still growing this plant. Busy picking betel leaves, Ms. Nguyen Thi Linh (residing in Nghi An commune) said that she sells betel leaves to traders and small traders at markets all year round, but the Lunar New Year and the full moon of the first lunar month are the peak times for selling this type of leaf. “Betel leaves are harvested all year round. However, the best selling and highest price are during Tet, from Ong Cong and Ong Tao Festival to the full moon of the first lunar month. These days, my betel garden brings in an income of 1 - 2 million VND/day,” Ms. Linh shared.

Betel is known as a plant that is planted once and harvested for life. However, this plant is also difficult to grow, cannot withstand drought, cold, waterlogging and is susceptible to fungus. In particular, with betel plants, uncomposted manure should not be used as fertilizer.

At harvest time, growers will select large, thick, beautiful leaves with smooth, flawless surfaces to serve the needs of worship . Smaller, uglier leaves are imported for betel chewing or sold to essential oil extraction facilities.

"On the occasion of the full moon of January , the demand for betel leaves increases because people go to worship and pagodas, so we spend all day picking betel leaves to deliver to customers in time," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (resident of Hamlet 5, Nghi An Commune).

Ms. Hoa said that on average, the betel garden brings her family about 20 million VND in income each month. Since the last Lunar New Year, her family has “pocketed” nearly 100 million VND, and this January Full Moon Festival, they have earned more than 30 million VND.

Betel is a difficult plant, so planting, caring for and harvesting are meticulous and elaborate . The ideal temperature for the growth and development of betel is 20-30 degrees Celsius. In the photo, betel leaves are classified to be brought to market.

According to the leader of Nghi An Commune People's Committee, betel trees not only help people here have a stable income but also become prosperous. Currently, many households have also invested in building greenhouses and modern irrigation systems to grow this plant.