Growing Hibiscus sagittifolius in the mountainous district of Tan Phu

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - For the first time, Kim Nguyen Oriental Medicine Pharmaceutical Trading and Production Joint Stock Company (HCMC) has successfully test-grown Bo Chinh ginseng (Hibiscus Sagittifolius) organically in Phu An commune, Tan Phu district. The enterprise has created many products made from Hibiscus Sagittifolius. 

Ms. Huynh Thi Phuoc Minh, General Director of Kim Nguyen Oriental Medicine Pharmaceutical Trading and Production Joint Stock Company introduces the Bo Chinh ginseng test samples grown in Phu An commune, Tan Phu district. Photo: Song Le 

This is a crop that brings much higher economic efficiency than other annual crops. Product output is also guaranteed when there are enterprises investing in raw material areas on a large scale. ​

A new, highly profitable crop

Bo Chinh ginseng is a precious ginseng variety of Vietnam, so in ancient times, people honored this precious product and gave it to kings and officals of the Nguyen Dynasty. Today, this is a precious medicinal plant grown in various regions because of its high economic value.

Recently, the Government has synchronously developed the production of Vietnamese ginseng, from investing in raw material areas to processing, building brands, and consuming products based on the advantages in natural and socio-economic conditions of each region and locality. The goal is to turn Vietnamese ginseng into a national brand, making Vietnamese ginseng a key product in the fields of medicine - pharmacy, health care, diversify products, and gradually establishing Vietnamese ginseng into an industry with high economic value, meeting the market needs...

Among the precious ginseng varieties in Vietnam, Bo Chinh ginseng is also included in the above development program. Actively participating in the Prime Minister's ginseng development program, Kim Nguyen Oriental Medicine Pharmaceutical Trading and Production Joint Stock Company has planted this crop in a number of localities. Since the beginning of 2023, this enterprise has invested in planting 5 hectares of ginseng organically in Phu An commune.

Mr. Nguyen Phong Phu Thinh, the company's technician in charge of growing Bo Chinh ginseng, said that the entire area of 5 hectares of Bo Chinh ginseng experimentally grown in Phu An commune followed the method of planting on beds combined with the use of agricultural mulch to ensure planting density and good drainage when it rained. The results showed good growth, good yield, and high quality. The plant begins to flower intensively from the fourth month after planting and during this process the farmers will harvest flowers. It takes about 12 months for plants to grow tubers. Each hectare of ginseng after harvest brings in a revenue of 150-200 million VND/crop, one of the most profitable annual crops.

Attracting investors

5 hectares of Bo Chinh ginseng in Phu An commune, invested by Kim Nguyen Oriental Medicine Pharmaceutical Trading and Production Joint Stock Company, are grown organically and complied with the standards of the green agricultural model, synchronously applying advanced technology in the entire production process. The enterprise has effectively used natural resources, reduced emissions and the impact of toxic chemicals to minimize input costs, ensured the highest quality of output products to increase competitiveness of their products on the market. Kim Nguyen company's ginseng farming model also aims to reduce rural environmental pollution by developing technology to treat and reuse waste and by-products from the farming process.

Talking about the plan to expand Bo Chinh ginseng farming area Tan Phu and other areas of Dong Nai province, Ms. Huynh Thi Phuoc Minh, General Director of Kim Nguyen Oriental Medicine Pharmaceutical Trading and Production Joint Stock Company said that the company had over 10 years of experience in the field of oriental medicine, and the company was founded and grown by health experts. Bo Chinh ginseng has medicinal value and is useful for pharmaceutical, nutritional purposes and health care. The company has conducted researches, bred, and test grown Bo Chinh ginseng varieties as well as experienced and developed products containing Bo Chinh ginseng such as: dried sliced ginseng, honey-soaked ginseng, ginseng soaked in wine, ginseng powder, ginseng flower tea, ginseng water, ginseng extract, etc. In addition, fresh Bo Chinh ginseng roots could be combined with other ingredients in stews, creating nutritious dishes such as: chicken stewed with ginseng, pigeon stewed with ginseng...

Ms. Huynh Thi Phuoc Minh further shared: "Nothing of the Bo Chinh ginseng plant goes to waste. Therefore, Bo Chinh ginseng brings great economic value to farmers. The enterprise looks forward to cooperating with farmers to expand the Bo Chinh ginseng growing area, as well as providing seeds, supporting farming techniques and purchasing products."

According to Deputy Director Tran Lam Sinh of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, after visiting the Bo Chinh ginseng test growing model in Phu An commune, Tan Phu district, in general the biological characteristics of this ginseng variety allow it to be planted in the areas of Tan Phu, Dinh Quan, Vinh Cuu districts according to the agroforestry model under the forest canopy to increase production value. This project again attracts investors and covers output for farmers. Tan Phu district should coordinate with local forest owners to survey and evaluate natural and soil conditions to select suitable locations to replicate the above model.