The tree species that brought people out of poverty in border areas remains stable during the epidemic

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It is a key tree species, helping hundreds of households in the border district of Huong Son (Ha Tinh) escape poverty. In the context of the epidemic, tea still ensures a stable income for people.

Over the past time, the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic has caused many production places to stagnate, many workers have reduced their incomes and become unemployed. Many economic models struggle to survive or are forced to dissolve.

However, production activities in the tea economic zone in the Son Tay border commune (Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province) still take place at a steady pace.

Covering deserted hills, bringing people in border areas out of poverty

Taking us to visit the rich economic region, Mr. Hoang The Loc, General Captain of the Youth Volunteers Team (TNXP) introduced: “In 2003, the General Team was established with the aim of exploiting the potential of the region. mountains to develop the economy and firmly protect the sovereignty of the national border area”.

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The deserted mountainous areas in the border area are covered with immense green tea.

After nearly 20 years of establishment, the General Team has turned this place from a wild, remote land, surrounded by mountains and forests, now replaced with a new color.

“Previously, the tea tree was not focused on development because it was purchased at a low price. After studying the soil and climatic conditions, it was found that tea growing here was very suitable, so the General Team decided to bring the plant. tea is the main growing crop,” said Mr. Hoang The Loc.

From having to be the first to plant tea trees, then to the sandy areas that people can’t grow, the General Team of TNXP pioneered the experiment first, so that people could see the effect and follow it.

By 2006, the General Team of TNXP planned and completely allocated land to young households to exploit. On average, each household is allocated one to two hectares of agricultural land and 5-10 hectares of forest land.

The General Team of TNXP also provides seed support, technical advice, and product consumption. Since then, the appearance of the youth village has been different, the hills and mountains seem to be “awakened”, and proliferating, spacious houses sprang up. Households not only plant, zonate, protect forests, plant rubber, and grow raw tea but also develop livestock and poultry raising.

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Mr. Hoang The Loc – General Captain of the Youth Union Team shared about tea production. 

The TNXP team has also built a tea processing plant with a capacity of 3 tons to 30 tons/day, with modern technology, basically automation, which has improved product quality. With a large capacity, the purchase of raw materials by people is guaranteed.

According to Mr. Hoang The Loc, the Team of TNXP currently has 228 households, of which 175 households grow tea on an area of ​​174 hectares, the total tea output reaches 1,400-1,500 tons/year. The average income per household is 175 million VND (7,000$)/per year, and for tea alone is 90 million VND/per year. On average, each year the tea growing area increases by 5-10 ha. Here, tea is not only a key crop in economic development but also one of the major tea material regions of Ha Tinh province.

Stable during the epidemic season

Due to the complicated situation of the epidemic across the country, the business and production of many localities have also been significantly affected. At this time, farmers in two communes Son Kim 2 and Son Tay (Huong Son district) are in the main tea harvest of the year with a large harvest.

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Despite the impact of the epidemic, tea growers still produce regularly.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoi’s family has been growing tea materials in Son Kim 2 for more than 10 years. Thanks to the collection of tens of tons of tea each year, her family’s life are also somewhat less difficult.

According to her, previously picked tea was purchased by Tay Son Tea Enterprise for 7,000 VND(0,4$)/kg. However, in the past 2 years due to the complicated situation of the Covid-19 epidemic, tea exports have also been affected, so the price is also lower to share some of the difficulties with businesses.

“Even though the price is a bit lower, it can still be sold, so tea growers are always excited to produce,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi.

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At the tea processing factory, all activities are still taking place regularly.

Mr. Hoang The Loc said: “Due to the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the export tea market was basically frozen, causing us many difficulties, leading to the unit having to owe tea money from farmers. When the link is favorable, production can be restored, so even though the epidemic is complicated, the unit’s tea is still exported normally, without affecting the production of the people.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Sanh, Director of Tay Son Tea Factory, the epidemic situation is something no one wants. It not only affects the development of the agricultural sector but other industries such as services, industry, etc., so the tea industry is more or less affected.

“To share difficulties with businesses, farmers agreed to reduce each kilogram of tea to 500 dongs. We also try to let them collect as much as they can, so as not to affect others. farmers” added Mr. Nguyen Hong Sanh.

Photo: Internet (vinlove.net)

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