Getting rich from lotus plants on low-lying land

TPO - Once abandoned areas due to ineffective farming, low-lying areas and ponds in many localities in Ha Tinh are now covered in the green color of lotus. The plant not only creates a landscape but also brings high economic value.

Instead of abandoning low-lying land, many households in Ha Tinh have switched to growing lotus, a new model that is showing outstanding efficiency. With good adaptability, few pests, and easy care, lotus plants grow strongly, both improving the environment and creating sustainable livelihoods.

A typical example is the model of Mr. Nguyen Duy Dai (residing in Tran Phu ward). In early 2023, Mr. Dai boldly rented the abandoned low-lying land for decades from many households in the area to grow lotus. Mr. Dai came up with this idea after visiting the lotus growing model in the North. When he realized that the local conditions had many similarities, he was determined to start implementing it.

In June 2023, the model was officially deployed. Thanks to favorable weather, after just over a month, lotus covered the entire field. Mr. Dai began harvesting lotus shoots, which lasted for more than a month. Next was the lotus mirror harvesting period. In particular, at the beginning of the month and on full moon days, income from lotus flowers also increased sharply due to people's worshiping needs.

Many people get rich from growing lotus.

After 2 years of trial planting, the model was initially successful. In addition to the lotus area for rotational harvest, Mr. Dai also invested in 0.5 hectares of lotus for growing tubers. According to Mr. Dai, lotus products such as flowers, shoots, seeds, and tubers all have high productivity, guaranteed quality, and economic efficiency twice that of rice cultivation.

“In addition to economic development, my main goal is to restore abandoned lands into beautiful lotus ponds for people to visit and create a green environment. Previously, this land was low-lying, abandoned land, but now it has helped people give us an additional source of income thanks to growing lotus,” Mr. Dai shared.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Dai is one of the households that brings lotus to grow, bringing high economic efficiency.

Not only Tran Phu ward, in Ha Tinh, some wards and communes of Ha Tinh city (old) have expanded the model, creating a large source of income for the people. From low-lying, abandoned, and frequently flooded lands, people have gradually switched to growing lotus. Since the introduction of lotus, these fields have truly revived, not only creating income but also developing the urban area in the direction of green agriculture .

The lotus field of more than 2 hectares in Thach Hung commune (now Thanh Sen ward) has been planted for nearly 3 years. The lotus varieties grown here are mainly West Lake lotus. This lotus variety has a very fragrant scent, and the flowers are mainly used to make tea, wine, and decoration.

The low-lying lands, which were abandoned swamps, now create great economic value.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Thong (a lotus grower in the old Thach Hung commune) said that with an area of ​​over 2 hectares, each year the unit collects from 40 - 50 thousand lotus flowers, each flower costs from 1,500 - 2,000 VND (depending on the time). In addition to growing lotus, the Cooperative also raises fish. Revenue from lotus and fish brings in hundreds of millions of VND each year.

Some lotus growers said that if well cared for, fresh lotus seeds can yield 300-400 kg of fresh lotus per sao. Currently, unprocessed lotus seeds cost 30-35,000 VND/kg and are purchased directly by traders. In addition, products such as lotus flowers and lotus leaves are also purchased at stable prices.

Ha Tinh people are happy because they have a large additional source of income from growing lotus.

According to the Ha Tinh Center for Application of Science and Technology and Protection of Plants and Livestock, in recent years, the lotus growing model combined with fish farming and experiential tourism has been converted from fallow land by some households and has brought good results. Not only has it increased income for households but it has also created more jobs for local workers.

Currently, the largest lotus growing area in the province is concentrated in Ha Tinh city (old) with a total area of ​​about 30 hectares. The Ha Tinh Center for Application of Science and Technology and Protection of Plants and Livestock encourages local people to proactively convert wasteland to grow lotus to both create beautiful landscapes and increase income for families.

Hoai Nam

Source: https://tienphong.vn/lam-giau-tu-cay-sen-tren-vung-dat-trung-post1757468.tpo