November 5, 2024 | 00:58 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Thursday- 11:21, 05/10/2023

Urgent conservation of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees

(VAN) On the cloudy mountain tops, there are fewer and fewer ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees that are at risk of disappearing if not urgently preserved.

Bang Phuc is a mountainous commune of Cho Don district (Bac Kan province), where the climate is cool all year round. Along the mountain slopes in Bang Phuc commune, there is a famous Shan Tuyet tea variety with a captivating flavour.

The Shan Tuyet Bang Phuc tea variety has the characteristics of dark green leaves, roots that go deep into the ground, and a wide and thick canopy, so it can cover the soil well. Shan Tuyet tea is a precious crop and it is on the list of crops banned from export.

Ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in people's gardens in Bang Phuc commune. Photo: Ngoc Tu. 

Ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in people's gardens in Bang Phuc commune. Photo: Ngoc Tu. 

Previously, Shan Tuyet tea was available almost everywhere in Bang Phuc, evenly distributed in the villages, but over time, the number of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees is becoming less and less. Preliminary statistics show that the entire commune now has more than 500 ancient tea trees left.

The reason is that for a long time, the ornament industry has come to hunt and buy ancient tea trees that are hundreds of years old to satisfy their hobby. Therefore, preserving ancient tea roots is essential to preserve precious genetic resources, as well as serving local economic and tourism development.

Faced with the risk of depleting ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, at the end of 2022, Cho Don district issued a plan "Conserving ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in Bang Phuc commune for the period 2023 - 2025" to preserve 433 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, preserving precious genetic resources, serving experiential eco-tourism, and sustainable agricultural development.

Currently, specialized agencies have numbered each tree, created a tracking book, and supported farmers with the technical process of pruning, creating a balanced canopy, fertilizing, and caring for ancient tea trees.

Mr. Dang Dinh Phong, Vice Chairman of Cho Don District People's Committee said: To preserve the ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, the district has repeatedly inspected, surveyed, and promptly moved nearly 100 trees located in the site clearance area for the Bac Kan City - Ba Be Lake road construction site to another location for continued care. The district has also assigned Bang Phuc commune to widely propagate to people the benefits of preserving ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees to preserve genetic resources and serve tourism in the future.

Mr. Hoang Van Thai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Bang Phuc commune (Cho Don district) further informed that shortly, when the road from Bac Kan City to Ba Be Lake is completed, the commune will be located in a key tourism area. Therefore, preserving ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees plays an important role in serving tourism development. Currently, the commune has issued regulations prohibiting the trading of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees out of the locality. If any act of cutting down or exploiting is discovered, it will be strictly handled. The commune also went to each household to mobilize people to participate in protecting these precious tea trees.

“For areas of ancient Shan Tuyet tea that are hundreds of years old, the locality will continue to integrate production support programs and projects to guide people on care and rehabilitation measures, helping people earn more income", Mr Thai shared.

Nearly 100 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in the site clearance area for the Bac Kan City - Ba Be Lake road construction were moved to another place to care for and preserve genetic resources. Photo: Ngoc Tu.

Nearly 100 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in the site clearance area for the Bac Kan City - Ba Be Lake road construction were moved to another place to care for and preserve genetic resources. Photo: Ngoc Tu.

Besides protection, currently, the government and professional sectors also build many models of growing Shan Tuyet tea to increase people's income. When people have a stable income, they will join hands with the government to preserve this precious tea variety.

Since 2018, the Department of Science and Technology of Bac Kan province has also implemented a project to care for, process and consume Shan Tuyet tea in Bang Phuc commune. Accordingly, building more than 20 ha of Shan Tuyet tea in the organic direction, and 10 ha of tea in the VietGAP direction, in addition, it also supports cooperation in caring for and improving intensive cultivation of Shan Tuyet tea trees with local people. All tea products of the project are purchased by cooperatives and businesses at prices ranging from VND 15000 to 20,000/kg of fresh tea.

In 2022, the area of Shan Tuyet tea in the Cho Don district is nearly 500 ha, the goal is to expand to about 600 ha by 2025. Cho Don district will focus on developing the Shan Tuyet tea area to meet organic standards, VietGAP, promotes and calls for businesses to invest in the production and processing of Shan Tuyet tea to create high-quality products to serve domestic needs, aiming for export.

Author: Ngoc Tu

Translated by Hoang Duy

Ninh Thuan is on the way to becoming the capital of high-quality shrimp seed production

Ninh Thuan is on the way to becoming the capital of high-quality shrimp seed production

(VAN) Ninh Thuan approved the project to develop the shrimp seed production industry with the goal of becoming the country's high-quality shrimp seed production center in the 2021-2030 period.

Pig farming households gain a new lifeline with ASF vaccine

Pig farming households gain a new lifeline with ASF vaccine

(VAN) Pham Trung Hieu, a farmer in Ha Thach Commune, Phu Tho Town, has vaccinated his entire pig herd against the African swine fever (ASF).

Many innovative initiatives can help the seafood industry make a green transition

Many innovative initiatives can help the seafood industry make a green transition

On November 2, the Department of Science and Technology of Ba Ria-Vung Tau organized the final round and awarded prizes for the 2024 "Innovative Solutions in the seafood industry" competition in the province.

Denali transforms billions of organic byproducts into animal feed, fertilizer

Denali transforms billions of organic byproducts into animal feed, fertilizer

(VAN) Company reveals key findings that demonstrate its ongoing advancement of the circular economy.

Plant-animal hybrid cells make solar-powered tissues, organs or meat

Plant-animal hybrid cells make solar-powered tissues, organs or meat

(VAN) Scientists in Japan have created hybrid plant-animal cells, essentially making animal cells that can gain energy from sunlight like plants.

The 1 million hectares of high-quality rice project helps farmers increase their income

The 1 million hectares of high-quality rice project helps farmers increase their income

(VAN) The project to develop 1 million hectares of high-quality rice is not only a breakthrough in the agricultural sector but also brings many opportunities for farmers in Dong Thap.

Community agricultural extension in association with sustainable rice value chain

Community agricultural extension in association with sustainable rice value chain

(VAN) Community agricultural extension is a vital link that connects businesses with farmer organizations in the development of a sustainable rice value chain.

Read more