When the farming area and output of lemongrass in some wards and communes of Hoa Binh city exceeded the market demand in 2015, many local households had to harvest and burn the excess. With sharp thinking and a thirst for knowledge, Nguyen Thi Binh in Thong Nhat ward found a solution, creating an outlet for lemongrass. The Dao Hamlet Agriculture Cooperative was established, paving the way to poverty alleviation for local farmers.
Nguyen Thi Binh, Director of the Dao Hamlet Agriculture Cooperative in Thong Nhat ward, talks about its efforts and achievements.
When it was newly established, the cooperative had 20 members, with Nguyen Thi Binh serving as its director. In the early days, they faced an array of difficulties due to a lack of experience, capital, and physical facilities, hence resulting cautious operations.
"In 2019, I participated in the startup and innovation contest 'Women and the Future of the Green Economy' with the idea of cultivating and processing lemongrass essential oil in a value chain to provide safe and environmentally friendly products. After winning the prize and attending the national startup day, my idea received financial support worth 150 million VND (6,186 USD) from the provincial Women's Union,” Binh shared.
Utilising the fund, cooperative members’ contributions, and bank loans, the cooperative invested in a modern lemongrass essential oil distillation line costing about 500 million VND as well as in labels and packaging.
In 2021, its lemongrass essential oil product was recognised as meeting 3-star standards under the provincial One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme. "Being recognised with the OCOP product helps elevate the value and branding of our product,” said Binh.
Currently, the cooperative has 86 members, of whom 90% are from the Dao ethnic minority group, each earning an average monthly income of 5-6 million VND. Members with poor and near-poor backgrounds have now improved their economic situation, leading more stable lives.
Trieu Thi Hoa, a cooperative member, said: "My family was poor with financial difficulties. Since joining the cooperative, we have been provided with opportunities to borrow investment capital and received support for production expenses regarding fertilisers and seedlings, and technical guidance. The outlets for the plants are also guaranteed by the cooperative. Since joining the cooperative, my family has acquired many amenities such as a television, motorbike, and small savings, gradually escaping poverty.”
According to Bui The Dung, Chairman of the Thong Nhat Ward People's Committee, the ward now houses nearly 150ha of lemongrass cultivation. The cooperative’s processing facility has helped ethnic minority people in the area get rid of poverty, earn stable jobs, increase income, and contribute to the local economy.
In the afternoon of December 17, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a summary and awarding ceremony for the Online Competition on preventing and controlling the Family Violence in 2024.
Implementing the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress to reach a health insurance coverage rate of 95% or more of the population, the Women's Union at all provincial levels has deployed the creative models and methods and effectively replicated them. These activities not only contribute to completing the social security goals, but they also spread the spirit of solidarity and sharing in the community.
Hoa Binh is carried out investment projects to upgrade three district medical centres in Lac Son and Yen Thuy districts and Hoa Binh city. The projects are funded by the central budget under the Economic and Social Recovery and Development Programme, aiming to improve healthcare services. The goal is to gradually develop a system of modern and quality district-level healthcare facilities.
To improve the cultural and spiritual life of the elderly, the associations for the elderly at various levels in Hoa Binh province have created many interesting and meaningful activities, attracting the participation of a large number of old people. These activities provide opportunities for them to improve both their physical and mental health, enabling them to live happily and healthily.
The pilot programme for sending Vietnamese workers to the Republic of Korea (RoK) for seasonal agricultural jobs continues under a collaboration between localities of the two countries, running for five years from January 1, 2022.
Staff of the Red Cross Society of Hoa Binh province were deeply moved by a meaningful and humanitarian act by Mr Vu Huu Lung, 86, in Hoa Binh city, to donate his corneas, which brought hopes to those yearning for the light. Before passing away, Lung left behind a noble wish to donate all of his organs, including his corneas, to help patients suffering from blindness and those in need of organ transplants to revive their lives.
