Ngoc Linh ginseng, the "gold" plant in mountainous areas

(QNO) - Quang Nam and Kon Tum are seen as the capital of Ngoc Linh ginseng, the “gold” plant. Several plans have been made to protect and develop this species of ginseng, helping the locals alleviate poverty.

The symposium on Investment attraction and development in hi-tech agriculture and safe products in Central and Central Highlands Vietnam

 Economic values of Ngoc Linh ginseng

The symposium on Investment attraction and development in hi-tech agriculture and safe products in Central and Central Highlands Vietnam appreciated the high economic values of Ngoc Linh ginseng. This species has got its geographical indication in Quang Nam and Kon Tum provinces. Also at this event, the potential of Ngoc Linh ginseng was supposed not to be exploited fully.

Recognizing the economic values of Ngoc Linh ginseng and other medicinal plants, Quang Nam province has set up a project on Ngoc Linh ginseng development towards 2020. At the same time, another project on Ngoc Linh ginseng conservation towards 2030 has been approved by the Government of Vietnam. In addition, Ngoc Linh ginseng has recently been recognized as a national product.

Ngoc Linh ginseng

The area of Ngoc Linh ginseng is now about 1200 ha in Nam Tra My district, Quang Nam province. It is only planted in traditional way by the locals. Thanks to the climate and the soil here, this species grows well without any technological or scientific interference. Despite its high economic values, Ngoc Linh ginseng is still produced in a small size and has not been paid much attention by businesses yet.

Ngoc Linh ginseng conservation

The Quang Nam’s draft project on the forest for rent to protect and develop Ngoc Linh ginseng has been set up. Besides the conservation of Ngoc Linh ginseng’s original gene, the project aims to protect forests, secure the locals’ livelihood, improve their lives, and raise the local position.

A Ngoc Linh ginseng plant fruits.

The area of Ngoc Linh ginseng is currently covering over 7 communes of Nam Tra My district. There are over 1200 households planting Ngoc Linh ginseng and more than 1500 ha of forest registered to plant this ginseng species. The movement of planting Ngoc Linh ginseng is developing strongly in Nam Tra My district with a speed of 900%. The locals’ awareness of forest protection and using land under forest canopies has been raised. Besides, 6 businesses and a corporation have invested in nearly 300 ha of Ngoc Linh ginseng. It can be said that planting Ngoc Linh ginseng is planting forest trees, restoring forests, and protecting the environment.

Ngoc Linh ginseng acclimatation in Nam Tra My district

Concurrently, Quang Nam has proposed effective mechanisms for investment attraction to planting Ngoc Linh ginseng and manufacturing ginseng products. The province also requested the government of Vietnam to bring Ngoc Linh ginseng out of the list of rare wild plants, facilitating the development of this ginseng species and making it a commodity.

Hopefully, Ngoc Linh ginseng can compete with Korean ginseng in the near future.