Bright prospects in organic tea growing model

Yen The is not only famous for hill-grazed chicken but also green tea. In order to improve the quality of this product, in 2018,  the provincial Center for Agriculture Encouragement built the first organic tea production model at Xuan Luong and Canh Nau communes. 

Organic tea growing model at Xuan Luong commune.

Yen The has total 520 hectares of tea cultivation mainly at Xuan Luong and Canh Nau communes. Previously, most of the local people took care of tea under the traditional method while a few households applied Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practice (VietGAP). 

So as to improve quality, ensure hygiene safety and enhance competitive capacity of this product, in 2018, the provincial Center for Agriculture Encouragement built the first piloting model supporting 36 households at Xuan Luong and Canh Nau communes in organic tea production in the scale of 9 hectares.

Especially, the households participating in this model are supported with 50 percent of organic fertilizers and biopesticides to take care of tea. Besides, they are provided training in tea production techniques using organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides instead of irritants ensuring period before harvesting. 

Thanks to the proper application of technical process, the average productivity of tea product reaches 450 kilos per hectare each crop. The price of organic tea product is 20 percent higher than normal types because it ensures hygiene safety.

Dam Thi Sy living at Ven village, Xuan Luong commune said, “My family is growing tea on an area of more than 2,500 square meters. As joining in this model, we can see both economic efficiency and environmental benefits. This growing area yields 1 ton of dry tea per each crop. 

The organic tea product creates a pure green drink with natural flavor and light acrid taste which is fancied by many consumers. The product is purchased right after harvesting at the prices ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 VND (6.4-8.6 USD) per kilo. After deducting the expenses, we earn a profit of about 120 million VND (5,172 USD)”.

According to the leaders of Xuan Luong and Canh Nau communes, the organic tea growing model has gained efficiency which helps the farmers to access to clean tea production methods ensuring safety, enhancing economic efficiency and contributing to environmental protection. In time to come, the communes will continue guiding the organizations and unions to mobilize local people expanding tea growing area following this method.