Once a wild plant growing in mountainous areas, Solanum procumbens has now become “green gold” for many households in Ninh Binh . However, to increase the value of this precious medicinal plant, the cultivation and processing need to be standardized and modernized. Receiving us in the spacious and clean processing workshop, Mr. Hoang Viet Tien, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director of Nam Son Medicinal Herbs Production and Processing Cooperative (Trung Son Ward) shared: “Previously, people mainly harvested by hand, dried in the sun and sold raw materials to traders, so the value was very low and unstable. We determined that we had to master the processing technology to increase the value and create our own brand.”
Therefore, the Cooperative has invested billions of VND to equip a closed processing and preparation line for Solanum procumbens such as: washing and drying machines, Japanese technology freeze dryers, superfine grinders, tablet pressing lines, tea bag packaging machines... Thanks to the modern production process, the Cooperative has launched many convenient product lines such as: Solanum procumbens tablets, Solanum procumbens tea bags, soluble powder that both retains the precious active ingredients in medicinal plants and meets food hygiene and safety standards and the needs of modern consumers.
Not stopping at the processing stage, the cooperative also focuses on the stage of building a standard raw material area. Currently, the cooperative is cooperating with dozens of households in Trung Son ward and neighboring areas to grow medicinal herbs such as: Solanum procumbens, sandalwood, turmeric, Polyscias fruticosa, Polygonum multiflorum... according to organic standards with an area of over 20 hectares.
“Thanks to the application of modern machinery and organic farming methods, ensuring the source of input materials, the cooperative's products are always trusted and chosen by consumers. In 2024, the cooperative's revenue will reach nearly 400 million VND, creating stable jobs for dozens of local workers,” said Mr. Tien.
Products of Nam Son Medicinal Herbs Production and Processing Cooperative are now available at many trade floors, supermarkets, and specialty stores inside and outside the province. The Cooperative is also promoting the OCOP brand and participating in trade promotion fairs to seek wider outlets.
If Nam Son medicinal herb production and processing cooperative develops in the direction of specializing in Solanum procumbens preparations, Thanh Cong medicinal herb production and consumption cooperative, Dong Thai commune, focuses on producing natural essential oils - a potential segment in the field of health care and beauty.
With an area of nearly 30 hectares of ineffective low-lying land, the Cooperative has cooperated with local people to plan the planting of medicinal plants such as mint, basil, lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus, etc. The Cooperative has invested in an essential oil distillation system using modern technology, using a 3-layer stainless steel distillation pot, a closed-loop condensation system and a high-capacity essential oil filter.
Mr. Mai Van Cong, Director of Thanh Cong Medicinal Herbs Production and Consumption Cooperative, shared: “Previously, people mainly distilled manually, with low efficiency, uneven products and easily contaminated with impurities. With the support of the Provincial Women's Union, the Provincial Cooperative Alliance and local authorities, we have boldly invested in more modern machinery, thereby contributing to improving output and product quality. Compared to rice cultivation, the economic efficiency of essential oil production is 6-7 times higher.”
On average, the cooperative distills more than 3 tons of raw materials per day, processing nearly 30 liters of various essential oils. All products are quality tested and have traceability, of which the lemon eucalyptus essential oil has been recognized as a 3-star OCOP product. Some product lines are also mixed in the form of room sprays, mosquito repellent essential oils, and floor cleaners, which are highly appreciated by consumers for their quality.
Cooperatives such as Nam Son Medicinal Herbs Production and Processing Cooperative and Thanh Cong Medicinal Herbs Production and Consumption Cooperative are typical examples of boldly applying modern technology to production, creating high-quality medicinal products with strong local identity and improving economic efficiency.
Mr. Hoang Viet Tien, Director of Nam Son Medicinal Herbs Production and Processing Cooperative, compared that previously, it took 5 workers to dry 1 ton of raw materials in 2 sunny days, but now only 1 cold dryer can process the same amount in 6-8 hours while still preserving the active ingredients. This saves labor and preserves the active ingredients of the medicinal herbs.
In addition, the application of automatic processing lines helps the output products to be less dependent on weather and craftsmanship, thereby creating stable products with easy quality control. Thanks to deep processing, the products are no longer just raw materials but become branded goods, which can be sold on the market at prices 3-4 times higher than the original materials.
Despite bringing many outstanding results, the application of modern science and technology is not easy for cooperatives. Large initial investment capital, unsecured mortgaged assets, difficulties in accessing and consuming products or researching, improving designs, processing formulas, and meeting increasingly strict demands are obstacles that prevent many cooperatives from having the conditions to apply machinery and science in processing agricultural products.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuan, representative of Cuc Phuong Ginseng Cooperative, shared: “We hope that there will be more preferential credit support policies for medicinal cooperatives, especially those pioneering in applying high technology. In addition, the relevant authorities need to continue to support cooperatives in participating in supply chains, promoting trade, and promoting communications so that the products have a long-term position.”
The application of science and technology in the production and processing of medicinal herbs is opening up a new and promising direction for the medicinal herbs industry in Ninh Binh, not only increasing people's income but also laying the foundation for the development of a modern and sustainable medicinal herbs industry. For Ninh Binh medicinal herbs to truly become a high-value industry, it requires the support of policies, science and technology, markets and especially the spirit of innovation from farmers, businesses and cooperatives in the province.
Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/cong-nghe-hoa-huong-di-nang-tam-duoc-lieu-ninh-binh-734779.htm
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