Lai Chau: Take advantage to develop the pharmaceutical industry

Regarding Lai Chau province's representative, there was Ms Giang Pao My, a member of the Party Central Committee, Provincial party secretaries; Mr Vu Manh Ha, an Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr Le Van Luong, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and departments.

At the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that Lai Chau province has the tenth largest area in the country, with many potentials and advantages in terms of area, minerals and agricultural products. In the short term, Lai Chau has difficulties in terrain and traffic, but in the future, this is still a province that will attract investment based on the available potential with large and abundant reserves.

The Minister of Industry and Trade suggested that Lai Chau province attract businesses to the area, using nuclear enterprises to develop to promote product consumption at home and abroad. Continue to thoroughly grasp and implement the viewpoints and policies of the Party and State in socio-economic development. Take advantage of the opportunity of being "far but near" in the eyes of Lai Chau investors thanks to the advantages of policies, development of traffic and the potential and strengths of the province. making good use of some content in the provincial planning. Pay attention to on-site human resource training.

Encourage the development of key industries such as mining and mineral processing, mining of construction materials, and energy development. Develop the pharmaceutical industry to take full advantage of the medicinal plants of Lai Chau province. At the same time, promoting domestic development, bringing the province's key products to reach a large number of consumers...

The economy of Lai Chau province continues to grow, on average reaching about 3.91%/year in 3 years (in 2021 - 2023); economic structure continues to shift in a positive direction; gross domestic product (GRDP) per capita is about VND 47.5 million, an increase of VND 4.12 million compared to 2020. The province's main agricultural products include: Rubber, tea, macadamia, high-quality rice, cinnamon, and medicinal herbs; industry product includes: hydropower, wind power, and metal minerals. Budget revenue in the province in 3 years (2021 - 2023) is estimated at VND 6,425.9 billion.

The fields of culture, health and education have many positive changes; the average reduction in poverty rate is 3.4%/year; the administrative reform index (PAR INDEX) in 2022 reached 86.29 points, ranked 24th out of 63 provinces and cities, up 7 spots compared to 2021.

Lai Chau ginseng is a species with high economic value, the price increases with the size and weight of the tubers, depending on the shape and age of the tree. On average, Lai Chau ginseng has a selling price of VND 20-30 million/kg, and large tubers over 100g have a selling price of about VND 50-60 million.

The announcement of the Vietnam Institute of Medicinal Materials shows that Lai Chau ginseng, about 5 years old, has the highest saponin content, not only in the country but also in the world, especially the content of MR2 - an anti-cancer substance. As an endemic species, the application of science and technology to the cultivation, exploitation and processing of ginseng is not commensurate with its value and potential.

Currently, there are 3 main models of ginseng cultivation: high technology in modern greenhouses, and simple and semi-natural black net houses under the forest canopy. Each model has its advantages and disadvantages. With the modern greenhouse model, crops can be specialized in high-density cultivation, ensuring uniformity, easy planting, easy care and harvesting; but infrastructure investment costs are high, requiring large and flat premises. That is difficult at altitudes above 1,400 m, as well as when applying the models to farming households. A 10-year-old Lai Chau ginseng root can even be sold for hundreds of millions of VND.

The semi-natural model under the forest canopy has a low initial cost, suitable for farmers with available area. The disadvantage is that the management and protection face many difficulties; Plant density is not high, scattered in small numbers due to complicated topography. These easily lead to losses due to adverse environmental factors.