Luc Khu is the collective name for 12 particularly challenging communes in Ha Quang District, Cao Bang Province. Despite difficulties in water supply and being surrounded by limestone mountains, the Luc Khu region possesses significant agricultural potential, with ginger cultivation being viewed as a new direction for economic development.
Ginger in Luc Khu Region - "The Challenging Land" of Cao Bang
Luc Khu, a name that has been used since ancient times to refer to the six communes, now divided into seven communes (Lung Nam, Tong Cot, Noi Thon, Cai Vien, Thuong Thon, Ma Ba, Hong Sy) in Ha Quang District, Cao Bang Province. This area is home to nearly 18,000 people, mainly belonging to the Nung and H’Mong ethnic groups. At the same time, it is one of the most challenging and difficult regions in Cao Bang Province.
With its rugged terrain, characterized by high rocky mountains and harsh weather conditions, Luc Khu was once known as "the challenging land" of Cao Bang. However, after many years of cultivation, Luc Khu has now developed nearly 200 hectares of ginger plantations for export. The people living in this highland region have found a source of sustenance and income through ginger farming.
The harsh geographical conditions of Luc Khu posed significant challenges to its agricultural development.
The rocky terrain made it difficult to cultivate traditional crops and limited the availability of fertile land. Moreover, the region faced water scarcity and had to rely on natural water sources for irrigation. These factors contributed to the reputation of Luc Khu as a challenging and arduous land for farming.
However, the resilient and determined people of Luc Khu turned to ginger farming as a solution to their challenges. Ginger proved to be well-suited for the local climate and soil conditions. The hardy nature of ginger plants allowed them to thrive in the rocky terrain and withstand the region's harsh weather fluctuations.
The cultivation of ginger brought about a significant transformation in Luc Khu. Farmers gradually shifted from traditional crops to ginger cultivation, recognizing its potential for economic growth and resilience in the face of adversity. They embraced the knowledge and techniques required for successful ginger farming, leveraging the available resources and expertise within the community.
Over time, Luc Khu emerged as a notable ginger production region in Cao Bang Province. The high-quality ginger cultivated in Luc Khu gained recognition for its distinctive flavor, aroma, and medicinal properties. This reputation attracted buyers and traders from various regions, fostering economic opportunities for the local farmers.
Ginger is a traditional crop in the Luc Khu communes, but previously, people grew it on a small scale for self-consumption. After a successful pilot project, it was observed that the climate and soil conditions in the villages of Cai Vien and Van An were suitable for ginger cultivation. In 2016, two businesses signed agreements with farmers to market the ginger products along the value chain. The businesses provided training and guidance on the application of scientific and technical methods in production to enhance the efficiency and quality of ginger.
Ginger production in Luc Khu exceeds 2,000 tons.
Ginger has been a traditional crop in the highland region of Luc Khu. Recognizing its economic potential, two companies, namely DACE Agriculture and Environmental Consulting Co., Ltd. from Hanoi and Duc Chung Agriculture and Forestry Co.,Ltd, collaborated to promote and encourage local residents to adopt ginger farming models with a focus on production linkage and product marketing. The results of experimental cultivation showed high product quality, meeting export standards. This success led to the expansion of ginger production areas, actively implemented by the local authorities, resulting in high economic efficiency. Currently, out of the seven communes in Luc Khu, six are engaged in ginger cultivation for export. Each commune has allocated between 10 to 26 hectares of land, resulting in a total ginger cultivation area of 200 hectares in Luc Khu and an estimated production volume of over 2,000 tons.
With training, technical guidance, and expanded cultivation areas, as well as the commitment of businesses to support product consumption, many households have actively transitioned from growing corn to ginger farming. They are no longer concerned about market outlets and are actively learning and applying technical knowledge to production. Organic ginger cultivation, which avoids the use of pesticides, not only meets export standards but also brings about a change in mindset and habits regarding the use of plant protection chemicals and chemical fertilizers.
The ginger commodity farming model is considered suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the dry and arid region of Luc Khu. It has allowed local residents to diversify their agricultural production and apply advanced scientific and technical practices. To establish an organic ginger material zone, Ha Quang District has set a target to expand the cultivation area to 500 hectares by 2025 and 1,000 hectares by 2030. They are also collaborating with investors to establish a processing plant locally. Therefore, the application of advanced scientific and technical methods in production, with a focus on quality and ensuring clean organic ginger that meets stable export requirements, is the long-term strategy and objective of Ha Quang District.
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