Promoting linkages for development in midlands and mountainous areas

*Ngoc Linh ginseng market is regularly held. Photo: CONG TU*

Great potential

The midland and mountainous areas of Da Nang city have abundant agricultural and forestry resources. There are mountains, forests, rivers, hydroelectric power, and unique culture to develop eco-tourism, community tourism, and rural agriculture .

Leading experts say that the people of Quang Nam are living in a medicinal herb region. Indeed, the mountainous region is the growing area of precious medicinal herbs, typically Ngoc Linh ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, Morinda officinalis, Codonopsis pilosula, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Amomum officinale, Cau tich, Che day…

Mr. Dang Tan Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, said: “We once had a working trip to Phuoc Kim area in Phuoc Son district (old). Here, the area for growing ginseng is planned and has a development direction. The locality has tested the ginseng to be of good quality.”

Or in the mountainous area northwest of the city, not only households grow ginseng and codonopsis pilosula, but some cooperatives have also participated in focusing on growing this ginseng species. For example, Thien Binh Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative (Tay Giang commune) used to grow medicinal herbs of ginseng, creating jobs for local people. The cooperative's product "Cao Ba Kich" has achieved 4-star certification.

*The model of raising spotted deer for antlers has been replicated in Dong Giang and Nam Giang districts (old). Photo: VAN THUY*

As the owner of a facility specializing in purchasing and processing agricultural products and medicinal herbs typical of the highlands, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Oanh (Dong Giang commune) shared that the source of raw materials for production and processing is very erratic. For example, there are times when Arieu chili peppers are not available for purchase and supply to customers for many months.

Or like Tien Phuoc district (old) is a typical example of effective development of garden economy , farm economy with typical plants and animals; but there are also many localities with similar conditions, but the development is fragmented and ineffective.

With unique national cultural identity and beautiful natural landscapes, Da Nang mountainous area has advantages for developing community cultural tourism and eco-tourism.

Mr. Dang Tan Phuong shared that he and his colleagues had just gone to learn about community tourism in Ta Lang - Gian Bi (former Hoa Bac commune), considering this a model to be replicated in mountainous communes. During this process, the city set out the requirement to comply with the preservation of the cultural identity of ethnic minorities to develop tourism.

Need to remove barriers

Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (THACO) has been licensed to conduct field surveys and establish a project to produce and process Ngoc Linh ginseng and other medicinal herbs. The total survey area is 1,000 hectares, in the areas of Nam Tra My, Bac Tra My, Phuoc Son (old).

*Khe Cai Stream (Hiep Duc Commune) has not yet been invested in for eco-tourism development. Photo: VAN LUAN*

This is a good sign for the concretization of the policy of developing the national medicinal industry, with Da Nang currently being the center and Ngoc Linh ginseng being the main crop. However, to “make money” from other precious medicinal herbs in the mountainous area northwest of the city, finding the “leading bird” to invest is not easy.

“People are worried about whether businesses will buy their raw material when they grow it. Meanwhile, businesses are also worried that if they invest capital to build factories without having a concentrated raw material area that can meet production requirements, they will fail. This is a vicious cycle that causes medicinal resources and other typical plants and animals in the mountains to remain in the potential state,” said Mr. Dang Tan Phuong.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Hien, Director of Thien Binh Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative (Tay Giang Commune) said that he had planned to build a 50-hectare concentrated medicinal herb garden, combined with medicinal herb experience tourism, but it is currently on hold. The unit hopes that relevant levels and sectors of the city will organize meetings to listen to businesses and cooperatives raise difficulties and problems that require specific support and guidance.

*The A Rieu Chili Festival is held at Dong Giang Heaven's Gate Eco-Tourism Area. Photo: CONG TU*

According to experts, the construction of production chains to exploit the potential and strengths in mountainous areas needs to be implemented closely and effectively. The production chain must have three subjects: the State, enterprises and people; on the basis of cooperation, sharing of benefits and taking responsibility.

Relevant authorities should conduct surveys, guide people, and invite businesses to set up factories and cooperate in product consumption. In particular, investment in essential infrastructure for mountainous areas, especially regional transport links, should be given attention.

Thus, new businesses will have roads wide enough to transport raw materials and products after production and processing; vehicles carrying tourists will easily reach highland tourist areas and destinations.

Mr. Dang Tan Phuong said that after the 1st Congress of the Da Nang City Party Committee (term 2025 - 2030), if the City People's Committee assigns the task, the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions will continue to conduct surveys to draft the "Full-term program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas". In which, the orientation is from infrastructure investment; implementation resources; forming pilot economic models based on the potential and advantages of each region; what trees and animals need to be preserved (for example, Tra My cinnamon must be preserved); to linking and supporting production development...

Source: https://baodanang.vn/day-manh-lien-ket-phat-trien-trung-du-mien-nui-3303431.html