In Van Hung Commune, Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province, garlic is a plant that has contributed to changing the appearance of this new rural area, and improving living and income for people.
In Van Hung Commune, Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province, garlic is a plant that has contributed to changing the appearance of this new rural area, and improving living and income for people.
From 2005 and 2006, some people in Ninh Yen Hamlet, Ninh Phuoc Commune, Ninh Hoa Town took Ly Son garlic from Quang Ngai Province to Xuan Dong Hamlet, Van Hung Commune to plant. The people in Van Hung Commune saw its effects, and follow. Since then, the area of growing garlic has risen rapidly. Poor gardens have been renovated to grow garlic. Van Hung Commune has become the biggest garlic growing area in the province.
Realizing that this plant can change living of local people in the commune, the authorities at all levels took part. The model garlic fields were set up, the water irrigation system was invested and the roads to this garlic growing area were supported by the State. By the end of 2015, Van Hung commune was recognized as a new rural standard, garlic plants continued to grow, expand the area, create more jobs and increase income for people.
Up to now, the whole commune has 3 hamlets growing a lot of garlic, including Xuan Dong, Xuan Vinh and Xuan Tay with an area of 150 ha, accounting for 71.4% of the garlic area in the district (210 ha). Garlic yield here is estimated at 7 tons/ha, the current price of fresh garlic ranges from VND28,000 to 30,000/kg. After deducting costs, farmers gain VND80 to 100 million/ha. In the harvest season, garlic also helps to create jobs for hundreds of workers by pruning, sorting, packing and selling. On average, one labor is paid from VND250,000 to VND300,000/day.
In 2017, Van Hung Garlic Cooperative was established, the scale of garlic cultivation was expanded and higher than before. More than 20 hectares of garlic here is included in the model of safe garlic supply chain according to VietGAP standard by the provincial Department of Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Management in coordination with the provincial People's Committees and related units. By 2018, this area of garlic has been certified by VietGAP standards, opening a series of consumption links with supermarkets and clean food stores.
Currently, local people and authorities in Van Hung are researching to bring new garlic varieties to this commune. Building brand and supporting the development of garlic production, processing and consumption chains are also being promoted. Hopefully, once a standard garlic production model is established, with the investment and application of science and technology, the State's support in branding and value chain building, garlic products in Van Hung will continue to promote their value, bringing a better life for growers.
Huynh Quang Thanh
Translated by T.T