The representatives of the GNI Organization handed over the support to the Lemongrass Farming Group in Dong Chua Hamlet, Thong Nhat Ward, Hoa Binh City.

The Lemongrass Farming Group in Dong Chua Hamlet was established with GNI's support in 2017, comprising 15 member households of Dao ethnic group. Since its inception, the group has received the support amounting to 400 million VND, including revolving funds for members and the production equipment such as 5 grass-cutting machines and 13,000 meters of irrigation pipes…

The group currently cultivates around 30 hectares of lemongrass, each hectare yields 7-10 tons of roots annually. The group’s total annual production of lemongrass roots exceeds 200 tons, giving each household an income of 70-80 million VND annually. Lemongrass is a crop that requires little care, allowing the employees more idle time during the off-season. However, it is grown on hills and slopes where water retention is challenging due to shallow root systems. Additionally, the soil used for lemongrass cultivation over time can become calcified, reducing yield.

To solve this issue, the group has developed a solution to improve the soil conditions and expand the market opportunities by intercropping soapberry trees with lemongrass. Recognizing that it is a sustainable development solution, the GNI Organization has supported 80% of the value of 1,300 soapberry seedlings, equivalent to 26 million VND, for the Lemongrass Farming Group in Dong Chua Hamlet.