With a natural area of 4.6 thousand square kilometers and the characteristic climate of the tropical monsoon region, Hoa Binh is quite favorable for the overall development of agriculture, especially the cultivation of medicinal plants. There is a particular potential for establishing concentrated areas for the production, conservation, exploitation, and development of valuable and rare natural medicinal plants. Localities within the province are also showing interest and gradually developing suitable medicinal plant varieties for high economic efficiency
Abundant Medicinal Plant Potential.
Hoa Binh province is an area with a high proportion of ethnic minorities, with nearly 75% of the population consisting of Tày, Mường, Thái, Dao, and Mông ethnic groups living across various districts and cities within the province. In the living areas of these ethnic minorities, there are many valuable medicinal plants.
To harness and exploit the potential of precious medicinal resources for healthcare, many localities in the province have established specialized areas for cultivating valuable medicinal plants. Examples include the cultivation of Cà gai leo in Yên Thủy, Cao Phong, and Lương Sơn; Turmeric, saffron, and Polygonum multiflorum in Hoa Binh City; Giao co lam and Artemisia vulgaris in Đà Bắc; Black cohosh and limestone tubers in Kim Bôi, Lương Sơn, Lạc Sơn, and Đà Bắc. As a result, many valuable medicinal gardens have been formed, such as collective medicinal gardens at health stations in Van Son, My Hoa, Ngoc My, and Man Duc town of Tan Lac district; Xuat Hoa and Dinh Cu (Lac Son); Hop Tien and Kim Lap (Kim Boi); and the herbal garden of the Elderly Association in Du Sang commune (Kim Boi).Local residents are supported with plant varieties and cultivation techniques for their family gardens.
According to statistics, by the end of 2022, the entire province had more than 2,145 hectares of medicinal and aromatic plants annually cultivated and harvested. Among the main crops, with significant areas and yields, are Lemongrass (1,576 hectares for a harvest of over 10.79 thousand tons), Siraitia grosvenorii (294 hectares with a harvest of 2.21 thousand tons), and Black cohosh (218 hectares with a harvest of 1.62 thousand tons). Additionally, there are other crops such as Turmeric (red and yellow), Artemisia vulgaris, Giao co lam, Dang shen, Tulsi, Polyscias fruticosa, Cat ginseng, Tung bean, with cultivation areas below 50 hectares. Apart from the concentrated cultivation areas on flat and cultivated land, the area of medicinal plants cultivated under forest canopies is around 64.5 hectares. Additionally, there are naturally exploited medicinal plants with a diverse range of species and varieties, including Codonopsis pilosula, Amulet, Pothos, Da Cam, Khoi Nhung, Tieu Canh, Polygonum, Angelica, and Honeysuckle.
In the coming time, Hoa Binh province will continue to intensify coordination with relevant departments, sectors, and local People's Committees within the province to organize the production and development of medicinal plant cultivation in accordance with the planning, integrating it into the sector's work plans and programs. The province aims to attract investments, promote the development of interconnected value chains for medicinal plants, linking production, processing, and consumption of products in localities within the province. This involves establishing cultivation areas, assigning area codes, and certifying trademarks for areas/facilities that meet the required conditions. The province will further promote and advertise, attract investments, and develop markets for medicinal plant products, linking with tourism services and traditional cultural festivals in each locality.