(HBO) – The Hoa Binh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the An Phuoc Agricultural JSC began a trial planting of ramie (scientific name: Boehmeria Nivea) in some localities in the province in January 2021. After nearly two years, the plant has grown well on the local soil, bringing about incomes for growers.
Farmers in Chieng Chau commune, Mai Chau district, take care of ramie plants.
The main product of ramie, a quite familiar plant in Vietnam, is fiber, which can be used to weave raw fabrics or make ropes and fishing nets. However, it was not until 2021 that the plant was planted in large areas across districts in Hoa Binh.
As of October this year, the total area of ramie in the province neared 260 ha, mainly in upland districts and Hoa Binh city, with 435 households participating in the planting. Da Bac district has the largest plantation of 107 ha, followed by Mai Chau district with 72 ha.
As one of the first to join the trial planting in Bua hamlet, Trung Thanh commune, Da Bac, Luong Van Toan said the plant is relatively easy to cultivate, grows well and quickly for harvest if properly fertilised.
According to the leader of the provincial sub-department of cultivation and plant protection, the average yield of each crop is between 750 and 900 kg of dried bark per ha, creating an income of some 120 - 145 million VND (5,049 – 6,101 USD) per ha on an annual basis. However, this is not the maximum productivity of the plant; higher yields are expected in better cultivation conditions.
An Phuoc plans to expand the current ramie plantation to 300 hectares in 2023.
Many households growing the plant said that the initial investment cost is quite high, at about 40 million VND per ha. For sustainable and long-term growth, it is necessary to have a bark processing facility in the area and a commitment from enterprises involved to ensure long-term planting areas, they said.
Echoing the view, Nguyen Duc Bien, Vice Chairman of the provincial Farmers' Association, said that before scaling up and mass planting, it is necessary to conduct research and carefully evaluate the economic efficiency of the plant./.
Playing a key role in Hoa Binh province’s economic development, Luong Son district has been focusing on science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation.
Identifying the application of online public services as a key step in administrative procedure reform and e-government building, Kim Boi district has proactively provided services and supported residents and businesses in accessing and utilising full-process online public services promptly and efficiently. The locality aims to lift the rate of end-to-end online public services to over 90%, with all officials and civil servants handling tasks in the digital environment.
Nguyen Anh Tuyet, hailing from a family steeped in the ancient art of herbal medicine, is transforming local medicinal herbs into high-value concentrated extracts, elevating their worth and healing potential.
Nguyen Phi Long, an alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee, and head of the steering committee for the province's key projects, chaired a conference on March 25 to discuss measures for implementing the project on constructing the Hoa Lac - Hoa Binh road and upgrading the Xuan Mai - Hoa Binh section of National Highway 6 under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Administrative reform has been identified as a key priority in enhancing state governance, improving the business environment, and facilitating services for citizens and enterprises.
The Standing Board of the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee met on March 18 to review and guide major investment projects aimed at boosting local socio-economic development.
