Thanks to favorable output and stable prices, in recent years, jelly grass has become an economic plant helping people in Hiep Hung commune, Phung Hiep district, Hau Giang province have good income. This is also the source to supply a large number of raw materials to produce cooling tea and black jelly.
Many farmers grow jelly grass effectively
Visiting Hiep Hung commune, many people are so surprised by green fields of jelly grass with a very special fragrance. It is considered the center of jelly grass in the Western region. Due to the increasing consumption market, many households have switched to growing this plant.
A green field of jelly grass. (Photo: Internet)
In the field of jelly grass, wiping quickly the sweat on his forehead, Mr. Nguyen Manh Thuong Ho, an old farmer, introduces his job:
“The dry season lasts long more than ever so I have to water every day. It is not to mention that the cost of hiring laborers to pluck weeds is very high, can be up to 6 million VND/man-day (1,000m2). I will have profit in the next crop because do not need to invest in seeding. The old jelly grass in the previous one will grow well in the rainy season and the weeds will also be very little, no more plucking “
According to Mr. Thuong, in this land, the jelly grass grows well and many farmers grow it effectively. Many people work together to learn from one another. “If I don’t know anything, I can ask the other person and he will help me. The output of jelly grass is stable, we do not worry like the sugarcane “, he shared.
Like Mr. Thuong, Mr. Nguyen Van Phu has 7,000m2 of jelly grass growing green. He has been growing this plant for many years and also switched from sugarcane to jelly grass like many other households. There are two crops in a year with the yield of each crop being about 600kg/1,000m2. With the selling price of 20,000 VND/kg of dried jelly grass, the profit from the two crops reached over 10 million VND/1,000m2. This profit is mainly from the second crop.
The jelly grass has a very good cooling effect. (Photo: Internet)
The consumption of jelly grass is ensured
In the early days of May, people in Hiep Hung commune were busy harvesting jelly grass. The very special fragrance of this herb was everywhere. After harvesting, jelly grass will be dried and sorted. Most of the jelly grass in Hiep Hung commune is purchased by Mr. T’s facility.
Mr. T shared: His family has three generations buying jelly grass but no place has jelly grass with a special fragrance like Hiep Hung. Besides, the jelly grass here has good vitality and nice models, so they are easy to sell. Moreover, the growing area and yield of jelly grass in Hiep Hung are very stable. “Although we only grow two crops per year, jelly grass is always available all year round because people do not grow and harvest at the same time”.
Jelly grass is carefully dried and stored. (Photo: Internet)
According to Mr. T, all the jelly grass is purchased and supplied to the Tan Hiep Phat beverage production group. Since 2019, Mr. T has decided to purchase jelly grass at a fixed price of 20,000 VND/kg, instead of buying at the market price as before. Initially, only a few dozen households participated, so far there have been over 200 households with about 40 – 50 hectares.
Black Jelly is made from boiled water with grass
Not only covers consumption, but Mr. T also provides technical guidance to farmers to minimize costs, increase productivity, and especially ensure the special fragrance of jelly grass. Accordingly, people Hiep Hung never use chemical drugs, only fertilizers in the early stage to promote healthy plants. Therefore, jelly grass is very clean. Besides, Mr. T supports each household with 2 million VND/1,000m2 (refund when harvesting) so that they can reduce their initial investment capital.
With a stable source of jelly grass, in addition to supplying to factories, Mr. T also exports to Cambodia. “Everyone knows the benefit of jelly grass. This is one of the herbal drinks that are good for health, so I believe that jelly grass cultivation will continue to develop”, Mr. T. shared.