An engineer introduces a sapling of Ngoc Linh ginseng at the Sam Sam company in Quang Nam Province. It's the first ever Ngoc Linh ginseng processing plant in Viet Nam. VNS Photo Cong Thanh
The central province has inaugurated the first-ever Ngoc Linh ginseng production plant – a major hi-tech processing factory combined with a seed and research centre – at Tam Thang Industrial Park in Tam Ky City.
It’s the first and the biggest plant nationwide specialising in producing finished products, pharmaceuticals and food from ginseng roots.
The factory, which was built by Sam Sam Company with an investment of VND125 billion (US$5.4 million) in the first phase, would produce 200,000 capsules and provide 5 million Ngoc Linh ginseng saplings per year.
Chairman of the company, Nguyen Duc Luc, said the plant will help build global production chains for the national brand and boost sustainable development of the Ngoc Linh ginseng zone in the district of Nam Tra My in Quang Nam Province.
“We planned a 100ha ginseng farm in Nam Tra My district – a major ginseng farm in Viet Nam – to boost the production and conservation of primary forests,” Luc said.
“The plant is the first step in a long-term strategy promoting the national brand worldwide. We also create a complete circle of high-quality Ngoc Linh ginseng production from seed selection, plantation and harvest, to storage and processing,” he said.
A worker plants Ngoc Linh ginseng at a farm in Nam Tra My District. Quang Nam Province has planned 20,000ha for developing ginseng farming in the district. Photo courtesy of Duc Luc
He said a fresh kilo of Ngoc Linh ginseng is sold for VND100 million (US$4,300), but processed products including capsules, foods, essential oils, cosmetics, drinks and tea would create higher value for the Quang Nam-based brand.
He added the company has been co-operating with WWF.
The central province plans an area of 20,000ha across seven zones of Ngoc Linh ginseng.
Ngoc Linh ginseng, grown both in Nam Tra My District in Quang Nam Province and Kon Tum, was recognised as a National Brand and given a Geographical Indication in 2018.
Ngoc Linh ginseng often grows 1,400m above sea level, in forests in Nam Tra My district in Quang Nam and Tu Mo Rong District in Kon Tum Province.
Up to 26 businesses agreed to invest $221 million in farming ginseng and processing essential oils, cosmetics, drinks and capsules from ginseng in the district.
Nam Tra My district and Hamyang County in South Korea agreed to boost tourism, agriculture, conservation and the development of Ngoc Linh ginseng. — VNS