In recent years, Lang Son province has implemented solutions to improve the economic value of star anise. In which, development of Vietnam’s star anise has been the first priority. With technical guidance of organic cultivation models, many local star anise growers have seen a significant increase in their income.
Star anise is a major agricultural product of Lang Son province in general and Trang Dinh district in particular. The district currently has about 3,000 hectares of star anise plantations, with an annual output of around 500 tons. Of this, about 2,000 hectares are currently in the harvest season.
Vietnam’s organic star anise
To increase the economic value of star anise, the district has encouraged farmers to adopt organic cultivation methods. Also, the district has promoted participation in supply chain linkages for product development and distribution. These efforts have helped improve product value, increase farmers’ incomes, and promote local socio-economic development.
Mrs. Tuyet, a local farmer, shared: “My family has about 2 hectares of star anise that are currently being harvested. Previously, we grew the trees naturally, without paying much attention to care and fertilization. Therefore, the yield and quality were low and prices were unstable. Since 2022, we’ve switched to organic cultivation. Now our selling prices of star anise are stable, and we no longer worry about market access.”
According to Mrs. Tuyet, organic star anise cultivation does not allow the use of chemical fertilizers or herbicides. Particularly during harvest, growers should pick up flowers from the trees and store in clean sacks. All steps must strictly follow organic farming procedures.
“This year, we harvested over 2 tons of star anise flowers. With the current selling price of 40,000 VND per kilogram, we earned over 80 million VND. The local growers in the commune were very happy,” she said.
Vietnam’s organic star anise boxes
In order to enhance the value of Vietnam’s organic star anise, the district has directed the establishment of production-consumption linkages. It has also integrated resources from national target programs to support the development of value chains.
All solutions should be implemented in a synchronized way from seedling supply, cultivation, purchasing, primary processing, and deep processing. As a result, it would diversify star anise and cinnamon products and meet domestic and export market standards.
Currently, Trang Dinh District has established a linked value chain for star anise, covering 330 hectares. Notably, a cooperative in the district has developed deep-processing capabilities, further increasing economic value.
Ms. Lan, Director of this Cooperative, said: “To develop local specialties, I explored and created higher-value products. For example, star anise flower tea has gained positive reception from consumers. Our cooperative actively seeks to expand consumption markets. Also, we guarantee to purchase all output for cooperative members and farmers in the area. Since early 2023, the cooperative has purchased over 30 tons of dried star anise from local farmers.”
Vietnamese star anise tea
In addition to developing organic raw material zones for cinnamon and star anise, the district has also attracted businesses to invest in a processing plant project. The factory will handle the preliminary and deep processing of locally harvested raw materials.
To further improve yield and quality, the district has also focused on training farmers in proper planting, care, harvesting, and post-harvest preservation techniques. In addition, it has encouraged export enterprises of spices to invest in production and processing to enhance product value.
Thanks to the development of Vietnam’s organic star anise models and production-consumption linkages, the value of star anise has significantly increased. Therefore, it would help local farmers boost their incomes. This is a sustainable development direction, contributing to brand building and affirming the quality of Vietnamese star anise, with the aim of exporting to regional and global markets.
Vietnamese source: https://baodantoc.vn/trang-dinh-lang-son-phat-huy-hieu-qua-kinh-te-tu-mo-hinh-trong-hoi-huu-co-1735699336677.htm