Creating livelihoods from growing velvet antler trees

- Since 2021, the Management Board of Special-use and Protective Forests and the Department of Agriculture and Environment have supported people with seedlings, fertilizers, and techniques to develop the cultivation of khôi nhung trees under the forest canopy in some villages in Mau Son commune. Currently, khôi nhung trees are growing well and have begun to be harvested, contributing to creating sustainable livelihoods for local people.

People of Na Mo village, Mau Son commune check for pests on the khôi nhung tree.

Khôi nhung is one of the precious medicinal plants, used as raw materials in the preparation of many medicinal remedies. Previously, this plant mainly grew in the wild. In recent years, due to market demand, people have exploited and harvested a lot, leading to this precious medicinal plant becoming increasingly rare.

Mr. Hoang Van Tai, Deputy Director of the Management Board of Special-use and Protective Forests, said: In order to preserve and develop precious medicinal plants, from 2021 to 2024, from the forestry career capital, the unit surveyed, selected and deployed support for 33 households in Po Pam, Lap Pia, Na Mo villages of Mau Son commune with 56,659 khôi nhung seedlings, 11,330 kg of NPK fertilizer and 22,650 kg of organic fertilizer; at the same time, the unit provided technical guidance to people to plant 10.3 hectares of khôi nhung trees under the forest canopy. After planting, the survival rate of the trees reached 90%, the trees grew well, and now the leaves have begun to be harvested.

"From 2021 to now, a number of households in the commune have been supported with seedlings to grow the tree under the forest canopy. This has brought many benefits, both preventing erosion, protecting natural forests and contributing to promoting the strengths of forest resources, while preserving precious medicinal plants, creating sustainable livelihoods, and bringing additional income to people."

Mr. Duong Trong Minh, Vice Chairman of Mau Son Commune People's Committee

It is known that the velvet tree grows well under the forest canopy, and its leaves are harvested for medicinal purposes. Each year, the tree yields 4-5 harvests. After a period of care, people who grow velvet trees have now gradually harvested the old leaves for sale.

Ms. Ly Thi Noi, Bo Pam village, Mau Son commune said: Participating in the project, my family was supported with more than 3,000 star anise seedlings and more than 700 kg of organic fertilizer, microbial fertilizer... Thanks to the good care of the family, the trees have grown well. From the beginning of 2025 until now, the family has harvested more than 200 kg of fresh leaves. Along with the star anise tree under the canopy, my family also focuses on taking care of star anise trees. If the weather conditions are favorable, the family can also harvest more than 1 ton of star anise flowers/year. Thanks to that, the family has an additional source of income, contributing to improving life.

Like Mrs. Noi's family, Mr. Hoang Tien Thang's family in Na Mo village, Mau Son commune was supported with more than 1.3 tons of fertilizer and over 2,700 khôi nhung seedlings to plant under the forest canopy.

Mr. Thang said: With the support of the khoi nhung seedlings, my family has planted them under the canopy of the family's star anise forest. Up to now, the family has harvested more than 300 kg of fresh leaves. While taking care of the trees under the canopy, I also take care of the star anise forest. Thanks to that, each year the family has more income from star anise.

Currently, in the commune, Mau Son Ecological Farm Cooperative (HTX) buys the harvested leaves of the khôi nhung tree at a price ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 VND/kg fresh. In addition, the khôi nhung leaf product is also ordered by some traders from the people.

Mr. Hoang Phuc Thang, Director of the Cooperative, said: Khoi Nhung is a precious medicinal herb, an important raw material in the production of products for treating stomach diseases. According to traditional medicine, in the past, the Cooperative has purchased Khoi Nhung plant materials from local people to research and produce specialized extracts for cases of stomach pain. Due to the low harvest output from local people, from 2024 to now, the Cooperative has purchased about 300 kg of fresh Khoi Nhung leaves from local people. In the coming time, the Cooperative will continue to purchase Khoi Nhung leaves from local people at market prices so that local people can feel secure in producing and developing this plant.

In 2025, the Management Board of Special-Use and Protective Forests will continue to support 13 households in Na Mo village, Mau Son commune with more than 15,000 seedlings and 4.2 tons of fertilizer to plant more than 3.4 hectares of khôi nhung trees.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/tao-sinh-ke-ben-vung-tu-trong-cay-khoi-nhung-5061826.html