Planting the “progress king” tree, farmers are tired of picking leaves to count money during Tet

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Although the betel tree is harvested all year round, in the last days of the year consumption has increased dramatically, making growers of this plant very excited.

Dinh Ban commune, Thach Ha district is considered the capital of betel nut growing in Ha Tinh. Currently, the whole commune has more than 100 households growing betel nuts with an area of ​​over 2.5ha, mainly concentrated in Van Son village.

According to the local elders, in the past, the betel nut planted by the ancestors was used to offer to the king, so it was called “progress king” by everyone. Compared with other types of betel nut, the “advanced king” betel nut in Van Son village has thick leaves, a distinctive aroma and spicy taste that few places have. Because of this particular feature, betel nut “advance king” is always popular, especially on holidays and Tet.

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Currently, the whole Dinh Ban commune has more than 100 households cultivating betel nut with an area of ​​over 2.5 hectares, mainly concentrated in Van Son village.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lieu (70 years old, Van Son village, Dinh Ban commune) has more than 40 years of attachment to the betel tree, her family’s betel garden has more than 400 roots.

“Betel nut can be harvested all year round. A little day is about 80,000 VND, more than 100,000 VND. In the days close to Tet, my betel garden gives an income from 1 million VND to nearly 2 million VND / day”, Ms. Lieu said.($1=24,000 VND)

Similarly, the family of Mr. Pham Cong Nhu (71 years old) is also one of the households with a large betel nut garden in Van Son village, Dinh Ban commune. After being discharged from the army and returning to the locality, in 1981, he also followed in his father’s footsteps in planting and tending betel nut trees. Up to now, his family’s betel garden has 360 roots, on an area of ​​200m2.

Planting a type of tree to advance the king, farmers are tired of picking leaves to count money during Tet - 2
After a year of planting, betel nut begins to harvest leaves.

According to Mr. Nhu, betel nut after picking will be arranged in piles, each stack of 50 leaves, usually only 5,000-7,000 VND/stack. On Tet holiday, the price of betel nut increases by 3 or 4 times.

“Betel leaves are sold by us all year round, but betel nut from October (lunar calendar) to Lunar New Year has a higher price than other times. At this time, traders come to the garden to buy betel leaves. “, said Mr. Pham Cong Nhu.

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During Tet, the demand increases, betel nut growers can earn 1-2 million VND per day.

According to the experience of the people who grow betel nut here, in order to have quality betel leaves, it is necessary to regularly prune small and damaged leaves, leaving only 3-5 leaves on each branch. Betel nut is suitable for manure and microbiological fertilizers, not chemical fertilizers and spraying. When picking betel leaves, people do not use knives or scissors, but directly use their fingernails to press the petioles.

Betel nut growers “advance the king” are very abstain from strangers entering the garden to pick betel leaves, because of the notion that if it is not the owner of the garden that picks the leaves, the tree will gradually wither and die. 

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Betel nut “advance to the king” in Van Son village has thick leaves, a characteristic aroma and spicy taste that few places have.

Mr. Nguyen Truong Son, Vice Chairman of Dinh Ban Commune People’s Committee said, with a long tradition, famous quality, betel nut growing village in Van Son village has been recognized as a traditional Vietnamese profession by the Vietnam Craft Village Association. Male.

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The grandparents of Van Son village drank water, ate betel nut, and told each other stories about Tet.

“This is a type of tree that brings people a stable source of income, and solves jobs for rural workers . Currently, the locality has established a group of 30 “advanced” betel nut cooperatives. households participate, initially promoting efficiency. To encourage production, the commune supports 2 million VND/household, water pump, irrigation hose,” said the Vice Chairman of Dinh Ban Commune People’s Committee.

According (Dan Tri)

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