In Cao Quang Township (Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province), there is a local variety of peanut that has been cultivated for a long time. This variety of peanut has small but delicious seeds, also known as chrysanthemum peanuts.
In order to conserve, restore and nurture native plant species, create specific products, gain competitive advantage, thereby enhancing production value and economic efficiency for people, Quang Binh Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center has developed a model of organic crop cultivation Chrysanthemums introduced association with branding and product consumption in Cao Quang township.
On the land of Cao Quang Township, local peanut trees have been converted to organic farming. Picture: Tam Phung.
Mr. Le Thuan Trung, deputy director of Quang Binh Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center, said the model covers an area of 7 hectares with 35 participating households.
“The construction of the model aims to improve value and economic efficiency, increase the competitiveness of local products, promote regional advantages and protect the environment. At the same time, it will transfer advanced cultivation techniques to farmers and build brands, linking product consumption with farmers,” said Mr. Trung.
In the peanut field in Vinh Xuan village, Nguyen Thi Hue’s family is harvesting. In this peanut harvest, her family participates in the model with an area of more than 10 Sao (0.5 ha) with the traditional peanut variety (chrysanthemum peanut).
Ms. Hue uprooted some peanuts with old peanuts and said this year’s peanuts have a good harvest, which can reach more than 2 quintals per sao (over 40 quintals per hectare). “Achieving this result is due to my family’s transition at this crop from growing peanuts the traditional way to organic farming managed and delegated by the Provincial Center for Agriculture and Fisheries Extension. Techniques, seeds, materials, fertilizers and pesticides,” Ms. Hue said excitedly.
The local peanut model of high-yield organic farming has helped increase farmers’ income. Picture: Tam Phung.
In conversation, Tran Thi Dong harvests peanuts in her field. This chrysanthemum variety was also planted in earlier years, but cultivated in a traditional way, so the yield was low. Because they didn’t make a profit, they also gradually gave up.
This peanut crop is supported for organic farming by the Provincial Center for Agriculture and Fisheries Extension, nearly doubling the peanut yield. “So people are very excited. “Nowadays, many people in the area go to the fields to plant like we do,” Ms. Dong said.
The households participating in the model were pleased that this year’s spring harvest, chrysanthemums, achieved very high yields. The average yield in the organic chrysanthemum cultivation model is between 32 and 35 quintals/ha. Currently, the price of dried peanuts is VND 30,000/kg. After deducting production costs, farmers earn about VND 50-54 million/ha.
“In comparison, organic cultivation of chrysanthemums is many times more profitable than traditional cultivation. “Beside us, the effect of safe and environmentally friendly products is guaranteed, which ensures the health of producers and consumers,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue.
Quang Binh Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center has not only passed on science and technology, but also collaborated with local authorities, Agricultural Service Cooperative and Tan Vinh Phat General Business Production to design packaging labels, containers, products and branding.
Many people came to visit the model to expand the range of organic chrysanthemums in the next harvest. Picture: Tam Phung.
After that, the center fulfills its commitment to farmers to sell products, promote them through social networks, present products at exhibition points to support the consumption of agricultural products, supermarkets, grocery stores, etc. in the region.
For many years, peanuts have become a staple grown by many local people. In this harvest, the community of Cao Quang planted more than 60 hectares of peanuts. Local authorities have developed a policy to make peanuts a key crop to add product value and increase farmers’ income.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, chairwoman of the Cao Quang Municipality People’s Committee, the peanut variety is known to many people for its good quality and high content of essential oils.
“We are focusing on building the Cao Quang peanut brand, building a production area specialized in VietGAP and building the local OCOP peanut product. At the same time, we need to coordinate with companies to coordinate and develop the production and processing of chrysanthemum products such as peanut oil, peanut sesame, etc., to diversify products in the coming period,” Ms. Phuong said.