Asparagus came Vietnam a long time ago. However, it was studied and tested for cultivation in Ninh Thuan in 2005. Currently, Vietnamese green asparagus planting in Ninh Thuan has relatively high yields. Also, it has the highest nutrient content compared to all other asparagus-growing regions in the country.
Over the years, the Cham ethnic community in Ninh Thuan Province has implemented many models to convert inefficient crop structures. In which, growing Vietnamese green asparagus has brought high economic efficiency.
Vietnamese green asparagus
Asparagus, scientifically known as Asparagus officinalis, is classified as one of the vegetables with high nutritional value. Typically, there rae two main seaons of Vietnamese green asparagus. One is the autumn-winter season from late August to March. Another is the spring-summer season from late February to June.
One remarkable feature of asparagus is that it can grow up to 15–20 cm overnight. Therefore, farmers often harvest it early in the early morning, to ensure its freshness and crispness. After harvesting, farmers will take it to a preliminary processing facility of green asparagus. They can store asparagus for 5–7 days at room temperature and even longer under refrigeration.
Asparagus a premium vegetable with the high nutrition. Additionally, it is rich in protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins, tryptophan, and folate.
Green asparagus has medicinal benefits for the heart, digestive system, and immune function. Parts of the asparagus plant, such as the stems and roots, are used in traditional medicine to cool the body. They also support treatments for digestive disorders, diabetes, and kidney problems.
Vietnamese green asparagus farm
There are three main types of asparagus: green, white, and purple. All are nutritious, but green asparagus is the most popular. In Ninh Thuan, green asparagus is the most popular variety due to the region’s favorable climate and soil.
Asparagus thrives in the climate of Ninh Thuan, a region with a large Cham population. Thanks to the economic benefits brought by green asparagus, the living standards of local farmers have significantly improved. Vietnamese geen asparagus is currently one of the province’s priority crops for expansion.
From just two hectares of pilot cultivation, Ninh Thuan now has many high-yield asparagus-growing areas. An Hai commune and Van Hai ward now have the largest asparagus cultivation areas. Each hectare yields about eight tons of fresh green asparagus per season for the market.
An Hai commune has identified asparagus as its key crop. The commune is developing specialized cultivation zones with a clear strategy. It is also applying scientific and technical advances while linking production with product consumption. In addition, it creates supporting policies and mechanisms to make credit access easier for farmers.
Fresh green asparagus from Vietnam
Since asparagus cultivation began, the livelihoods of the Cham people in An Hai commune have noticeably improved. Also, the rural landscape of the commune has continued to transform. In 2010, the commune began a one-hectare pilot project. Today, asparagus cultivation has expanded to over 110 hectares. It has generated over VND 200 million per hectare per year in income.
An Hai commune mainly grows Dutch asparagus varieties because they offer high yields and quality. These are long-term crops that only need to be replanted after several years. Farmers say asparagus is in high market demand, fetches good prices, requires little care, and harvest nearly year-round.
Each hectare yields 5–7 kg per day, selling at an average price of VND 50,000/kg. After deducting expenses, farmers earn between VND 300–400 million per hectare per year.
Tuan Tu village, An Hai commune, Ninh Phuoc district is a Cham-majority village. There are 90% of the commune’s Cham population resides. Farmers have cultivated Vietnam’s green asparagus on the coastal sandy land here since late 2009.
The district provided support in seeds, materials, and technical guidance to the first three farming households. Farmers used underground water for irrigation, and after 8 months of careful care, asparagus yielded 10 kg/day. Traders bought it at VND 60,000–70,000/kg. Thanks to green asparagus, Cham villagers in Tuan Tu now earn an average income of VND 52 million/person/year.
A factory of Vietnamese green asparagus
Asparagus is currently one of the most economically valuable crops in Ninh Thuan. In the coming time, the province plans to continue reviewing and expanding green asparagus cultivation areas. This aims to meet domestic consumption needs and target export markets.
The green asparagus value chain model in Ninh Thuan, with cooperatives playing a leading role, is delivering high economic returns. The Chau Re Cooperative is paving a stable path for Cham farmers through its support in seeds, techniques, and product consumption.
The cooperative collaborates with local farms to grow organic green asparagus. Seeds are provided by the farms (30% funded by the local government, 40% by the farms, and 30% by the cooperative). It also offers technical guidance, supervision, and guarantees the purchase of all products from its members.
The cooperative now works with over 80 households growing asparagus on more than 20 hectares following organic standards. It purchases 300–400 kg of asparagus daily from members.
Chau Re Cooperative guarantees stable prices and daily purchasing of green asparagus from members in Thanh Tin and neighboring Cham villages. With 300–400 kg sold per day, members have stable income.
Green asparagus tea
Tuan Tu Cooperative (Tuan Tu village, An Hai commune) is another exemplary economic unit in the Cham community of Ninh Thuan. Its green asparagus products meet OCOP standards and market demand for safe vegetables.
Tuan Tu Cooperative directly buys asparagus from members, processes it, and delivers it to Tien Tien Organic Farm for distribution. Payment is made to members according to contract.
Under this model, the cooperative buys nearly 200 kg of asparagus per day. Each year, Cham farmers in Tuan Tu generate nearly VND 4 billion in revenue. It is dozens of times more than rice farming on the same land area.
Besides fresh asparagus, Tuan Tu Cooperative received VND 700 million in provincial funding to build a modern production line for Vietgap asparagus tea under the Tuan Tu brand. The green asparagus tea product passed biochemical quality tests and meets national standards.
In the near future, the cooperative plans to list its asparagus tea product on the province’s e-commerce platform. It also plans to expand by 20 hectares of member asparagus land. It also aims to raise capital to produce asparagus tea bags and eventually asparagus powder to enhance product value chains.
Vietnamese source: https://tapchicongthuong.vn/magazine/mang-tay–muot-xanh–vung-cat-trang-ninh-thuan-113266.htm