FROM PASSION TO SUCCESS
Starting from a strong passion for agriculture, Mr. Hoang Xuan Thanh (Cao Thang village, Ea Kao commune, Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province) constantly learns, researches, and successfully breeds green Michelia tonkinensis.
With outstanding properties, Michelia tonkinensis not only helps many people improve their income but also protects the land and moisturizes the cultivated areas.
Mr. Thanh said: “I was born and raised in Hoa Binh and have been attached to agriculture since I was a child. Moreover, my family has many generations of herbal medicine, so I have the opportunity to learn about many plants that can make medicine, including Michelia tonkinensis.”
“Black gold” helps many farmers increase their income.
According to Mr. Thanh, Michelia tonkinensis is the spice in many meals of Vietnamese people. Besides, in oriental medicine, it is used to treat diarrhea.
With continuous efforts, Mr. Thanh’s green Michelia tonkinensis was recognized by the National Office of Intellectual Property in 2016. He said that this new variety has many superior characteristics compared to the usual one.
“The green Michelia tonkinensis variety can be kept for 700 years without being genetically modified. At the same time, this type of tree grows well in different climates. It is favorable for intercropping in coffee and pepper gardens. Green Michelia tonkinensis is easy to care for—just water in the first year. From the second year, the tree grows on its own. It is also resistant to many diseases without pesticides.”.
From the third year, green Michelia tonkinensis begins to bear fruit all year round. The average yield in the main harvest is up to 35 kg/tree/year.
“The harvest of green Michelia tonkinensis helps people increase their income and improve their lives. In the past, the price of dried Michelia tonkinensis sometimes reached over 1 million VND/kg. Currently, the price is about 100,000 VND/kg. Besides, Michelia tonkinensis can provide wood after 20 years of planting and can be used to plant forests,” Mr. Thanh said.
TURNING “BLACK GOLD” INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Up to date, Mr. Thanh has linked with thousands of households and cooperatives nationwide to plant green Michelia tonkinensis in mixed gardens and forests, as well as bad soil areas that cannot grow other trees. The total area is about 40,000 hectares.
Michelia tonkinensis is also resistant to many diseases without pesticides.
“For farmers who do not have money, I am willing to sell varieties to them and allow refunds after harvesting and selling seeds. I also commit to buy seed at a stable price and, at the same time, guide them on how to plant and care for green Michelia tonkinensis,” Mr. Thanh shared.
Since 2023, he has studied and used the skins, leaves, and young Michelia tonkinensis to make essential oils. This product was certified in early 2024 and is being proposed to be developed into an OCOP product. Particularly, after drying the seeds, he pressed them to make spices.
For Michelia tonkinensis products to be known by more and more people, Mr. Thanh has gone to traditional markets and retail supermarkets to sell essential oils and cold-pressed oils. He also brings his products to display at fairs or exhibitions.