Ginseng helps alleviate poverty.

For a long time, whenever Ngoc Linh ginseng was mentioned, consumers often thought that this national treasure was grown in Quang Nam, Kon Tum, etc. However, after many years of research and experimentation, Mr. Nguyen Chi Long - Director of Thanh Long Investment and Construction Co., Ltd. (Sub-district 19, Hat Lot town, Mai Son district, Son La province), has proven that Ngoc Linh ginseng grown in Son La thrives and its quality is no less than that of Ngoc Linh ginseng grown in Nam Tra My district, Quang Nam province.

Mr. Long said that for over 20 years, he has diligently researched, innovated, and boldly invested in bringing Ngoc Linh ginseng to cultivate on the high hills of Son La province. After numerous failures, he has now succeeded.

The company currently has approximately 9,000 square meters of ginseng (including 6,000 square meters of concentrated cultivation); about 20,000 ginseng plants aged 4-5 years, 40,000 plants aged 2 years, and 100,000 newly planted seedlings. The oldest ginseng plants are over 10 years old. The total value of the ginseng crop is approximately 100 billion VND.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Long - Director of Thanh Long Construction Investment Co., Ltd.
Instructions on how to care for ginseng plants for ethnic minority people. (Photo - NCL)

The company sells fresh ginseng at prices ranging from 60 to 80 million VND per kilogram, depending on the type. Currently, they employ 6 permanent workers at a rate of 6 million VND per person per month (excluding food allowance) and 50-60 seasonal workers.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Long said that after many years of working with farmers, agriculture, and rural areas in Northwest Vietnam, he has always been concerned about one thing: How to help the difficult mountainous regions and ethnic minority areas.ethnic minoritiesTo achieve the highest farming efficiency, generate the best revenue, create high-value agricultural products to alleviate poverty and create legitimate wealth; and establish a distinctive brand for the region.Son La.

"Ngoc Linh ginseng has immense value; each square meter, if properly invested in, can generate hundreds of millions of dong in income," shared Mr. Nguyen Chi Long.

Currently, many districts in Son La province have requested Thanh Long Construction Investment Co., Ltd. to implement a ginseng cultivation model for local people to learn from and follow. Many Mong ethnic people have already participated in ginseng cultivation at the company, generating good income.

Creating livelihoods for the people.

After nearly a decade of working at Thanh Long Company under Mr. Nguyen Chi Long's supervision, directly involved in planting and caring for Ngoc Linh ginseng, Song A Trang, a Mong ethnic minority from Sam Ta village, Chieng Chung commune, Mai Son district, not only earned a higher and more stable income but also gained valuable experience in agricultural production in general and Ngoc Linh ginseng production in Son La in particular.

The Ngoc Linh ginseng plant has provided Song A Trang and his wife, along with other ethnic minority people in the ginseng-growing region, with a stable income and a secure livelihood.
(Photo - NCL)

"As a farmer, if you don't know how to farm, your stomach will always be hungry, your clothes will always be tattered, and your daily joy will only be a cassava root or an ear of corn," Song A Trang confided.

He also stated that when he was directly hired to cultivate Ngoc Linh ginseng for Thanh Long Investment and Construction Co., Ltd., he received thorough guidance, which gave him much new and profound knowledge. "I believe that Ngoc Linh ginseng can absolutely live and thrive in Son La province as well as some other highland areas of the Northwest region."

"Although this ginseng plant is very precious, it will not disappoint the grower if they love and care for it carefully. With proper guidance and instruction, any Hmong or Thai person can grow this plant to improve their lives," said Mr. Song A Trang.

Ngoc Linh ginseng not only opens up a new direction for agricultural development in Son La but also provides a very good livelihood for farmers, especially ethnic minority farmers.

According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Long, the successful cultivation of Ngoc Linh ginseng in Son La opens up a very bright future for the plant. In other words, the national treasure Ngoc Linh ginseng could completely become a national economic and social asset.

Mr. Long hopes that, with the attention and support of Party committees, government agencies, functional departments, and every citizen, Ngoc Linh ginseng will thrive in Son La, becoming a valuable agricultural product that supports the health of the sick, helps the poor improve their lives, acts as a lever for Son La's agricultural economy, and promotes the development of Son La tourism.

"With that aspiration, the company continues to research, explore, learn, and experiment, and has now successfully processed Ngoc Linh ginseng into high-value products: Ngoc Linh ginseng extract, Ngoc Linh ginseng extract wine… These products not only facilitate the consumption of agricultural products from Ngoc Linh ginseng but also contribute to the diversification of Son La's agricultural products; helping everyone have more opportunities to access and enjoy the special nutrients from the national treasure Ngoc Linh ginseng. Many of our Ngoc Linh ginseng products have become OCOP products of Son La and are always trusted by customers," Mr. Long shared.

According to the Son La Provincial People's Committee, the province always encourages and supports collectives and individuals in developing medicinal plant cultivation areas, including ginseng. Based on the evaluation and testing results from specialized agencies, Son La will propose expanding the Ngoc Linh ginseng cultivation model on a large scale. At the same time, it will assign specialized agencies to prepare the necessary procedures in accordance with regulations to build a brand and geographical indication for Ngoc Linh ginseng grown in Son La.

Xuyen Chi