Each hectare of lotus cultivation brings in over 1 billion VND for the people of Dong Thap

Currently, the lotus cultivation area in Dong Thap province is 1,800 hectares, producing over 100 products including food and cosmetics derived from lotus. The annual production value of the lotus industry in Dong Thap province exceeds 1,900 billion VND. On average, each hectare brings in more than 1 billion VND for the local people.

Growing lotus brings great profits.

According to VNA news agency, Dong Thap province is currently developing along a value chain linked to the circular economy and green growth. Therefore, the People’s Committee of Dong Thap province has requested relevant departments and units to focus on researching and supporting the development of deep processing industries for new lotus-based products (blended products, high value-added products, vegan products, etc.) according to the needs of producers and businesses, and to support the development of markets for these products based on market signals.

According to information from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Thap province, the development of raw material areas and sustainable farming processes, aiming for high quality, is concentrated in the districts of Thap Muoi, Cao Lanh, Thanh Binh, Tan Hong, and Tam Nong.

Besides lotus products used in food and beverages, there are also potential lotus-based products for use in cosmetics such as lotus perfume, lotus lipstick, lotus soap, lotus silk, lotus silk fabric, lotus silk ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), and lotus silk handbags.

According to the People’s Committee of Dong Thap province, with its unique advantages in economic and cultural potential, the lotus value chain in Dong Thap has made significant progress. However, to increase its value, it is necessary to further process high-quality products, including commercialization and diversification of products to meet the needs of domestic and international markets.

Recently, many new lotus-based products are being researched by businesses based on market signals and have high application potential, such as activated charcoal from lotus seed pods, bioplastics from lotus stem fibers, lotus essential oil, and lotus extract.

These are products with great potential to create a major breakthrough by combining science and technology with indigenous agricultural crops, contributing to increasing the added value of the entire lotus value chain.

Source: Saigon Economic Magazine