Dong Thap lotus products' sustainable development

DNHN - For a long time, people have associated the lotus tree with closeness and comfort with the Vietnamese people.Aside from its aesthetic appeal, the lotus plant is used as food, flavoring, medicinal herbs, raw materials for numerous industries, handicrafts, and most importantly, tourism development.

Dong Thap is known as a land with 300-year cultural legacy and history, as well as archaeological relic sites linked to the ancient Oc Eo civilisation and the legendary Kingdom of Funan.

Dong Thap has several scenic sites thanks to nature's generosity and favor, including Tram Chim National Park, Gao Giong ecological area, and especially Thap Muoi lotus field. 

Lotus trees are now growing in numerous districts, including Thap Muoi, Cao Lanh, Tam Nong, Tan Hong, and Lap Vo, as well as distributed throughout the province.The rustic, simple, and pure beauty of the lotus inspires the residents of Dong Thap to make lotus goods.

Many firms have begun to exploit and process goods from lotus plants, such as butter dried lotus, lotus milk, lotus wine, lotus teas, and lotus silk spinning, in order to increase the value of Dong Thap lotus. 

However, in order to boost the value of the Dong Thap lotus business in the future, the province must concentrate on integrating specific content.

As a result, local governments must work alongside businesses and individuals to produce products made from lotus plants. In addition to supporting paperwork and procedures for perfecting items, local governments must encourage participation in domestic and international marketing, advertising initiatives.

The relevant sectors and units need to compile statistics on the raw material requirements of businesses, connect farmers to collaborate on production, and build material regions for the growth of lotus plants. 

Localities must also organize lotus growing regions into large, concentrated areas and have policies in place to convert rice to lotus or intercrop rice - lotus - aquatic products in each location to assure yearly lotus raw materials for industrial demands.

Besides, there is a need to build a lotus value chain in tandem with the growth of traditional local tourism items such as viewing lotus fields, eating local cuisine, learning about cultural values linked with lotus, and shopping for lotus products.

Ha Khuong