Quang Nam aims to become a medicinal herb industry hub

Quang Nam's striped terrain provides highly favorable natural conditions for the growth and development of numerous valuable medicinal plants. The province, which is located in coastal, lowland, and mountainous regions, is home to over 830 species, 593 genera, and 190 families of medicinal plants, as per the Institute of Medicinal Materials' assessments (under the Ministry of Health). The most notable medicinal plants are Ngoc Linh ginseng, Schisandra, Morinda officinalis, Codonopsis, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Amomum, Drynaria, and Illicium.

In recent years, Quang Nam has taken a proactive approach to the cultivation of medicinal plants, recognizing it as a critical strategy for economic development in mountainous and ethnic minority regions. This method has resulted in favorable results, enabling numerous households to escape destitution and even accumulate wealth.

However, the complete potential of medicinal plants in Quang Nam has not yet been realized, as the majority of harvested products are sold in their raw state. Their minimal processing results in straightforward products such as infused alcohol or tea. The primary factor is the province's absence of modern production lines and large-scale factories for advanced processing.

Mr. Tran Duy Dung, Chairman of the Nam Tra My District People's Committee, stated that the diversity of processed products from local medicinal plants, including Codonopsis and Ngoc Linh ginseng, remains restricted. Farmers frequently encounter unstable prices during harvest seasons due to an oversupply. The financial capacity to purchase all the raw materials is lacking in the extant processing enterprises in the region, which are small- to medium-sized.

Quang Nam currently has nearly 90,000 hectares of raw material areas for medicinal herb development, with an additional 50,000 hectares available in neighboring provinces, according to statistics. Despite this, the province's capacity to establish a medicinal herb industry nevertheless remains restricted. The policies that bolster this sector are inadequate, and the ability to attract investments, establish factories, and establish industrial zones for medicinal botanicals remains deficient. Additionally, there is a scarcity of human resources available to conduct research and develop medicinal flora.

Mr. Ho Quang Buu, Vice Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee, disclosed that the province has initiated the development of a proposal to establish a Medicinal Herb Industry Center, with Ngọc Linh ginseng serving as the primary commodity. The objective of this initiative is to establish robust policies and resources that will enable the raw material areas to capitalize on their potential and attract significant investment.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh previously approved the policy and directed the Ministry of Health to work with pertinent ministries, sectors, and localities to create a proposal for the Medicinal Herb Industry Center in Quang Nam during a working session with the province. The province will implement the initiative, to expand the raw material areas to the South Central Coast and Central Highlands regions.

“The Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee has finalized the proposal, which has been subject to feedback from pertinent ministries, sectors, and localities. It is currently awaiting government approval. We aspire for the Medicinal Herb Industry Center in Quang Nam to reach its maximum potential and establish itself in the regional market soon. Buu stated that this project is under the provincial master plan, which was endorsed by the Prime Minister and includes the objective of establishing a national medicinal herb processing center, and it contributes to the national strategy for the pharmaceutical industry.