The conference was attended by Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Trinh Xuan Truong; leaders of districts, towns and cities; and enterprises and cooperatives producing, trading and processing cinnamon in the two provinces of Lao Cai and Yen Bai.
Currently, Lao Cai Province is growing more than 53,000 hectares of cinnamon across 100 communes, wards and towns of the province. Of which, the key cinnamon areas of Bao Yen, Bac Ha, Van Ban and Bao Thang districts account for more than 48,000 hectares, while 3,671 hectares are recognised as organic cinnamon areas.
Every year, Lao Cai produces about 5,100 tonnes of dried bark, 51,000 tonnes of branches and leaves to process cinnamon essential oil and export to China, Europe and America. The total value reached about 760 billion VND.
Towards the goal of building the brand name of the organic cinnamon region, developing the cinnamon industry along the value chain, improving the quality and finding more favourable outputs for cinnamon products, the delegates focused discussion on three main contents at the workshop, with six solutions on varieties, material areas, science and technology, processing, and consumption.
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High quality cinnamon essential oil refining line of Trieu Duong Company in Bao Yen, Lao Cai. |
In order for the cinnamon industry to develop sustainably, many delegates believe that it is necessary to define the product market and produce products according to the requirements of the market. It is necessary to have appropriate policy mechanisms and good communication work to change people's perception. It is necessary to have the participation of enterprises as a bridge between the cooperative and the export market.
At the same time, it is necessary to promote the formation of cooperative groups and cooperatives to promote linkage between farmers to create raw material areas and create links with businesses in consumption. It is necessary to have appropriate mechanisms and policies to encourage enterprises to invest.
In particular, Lao Cai Province needs to develop geographical indications for the local organic cinnamon areas; establish an association of cinnamon growing, cinnamon production and processing, and at the same time improve the role of state management over essential oil processing establishments, avoiding the massive development.
The agriculture and rural development sector should strictly manage the source of cinnamon varieties, organise technology transfer classes on the production and processing of cinnamon products, and instruct people on measures to prevent and control diseases on cinnamon trees.
