Enhancing efficiency through the green tea production chain

As the district with the largest tea-growing area in the province, Tan Son has focused on building and developing production and processing linkage chains, contributing to increased productivity, improved product quality, and higher incomes for rural residents.

Through the implementation of production-consumption linkage chains, Long Coc Safe Tea Production Cooperative now has four products that meet OCOP standards.

Tan Son district currently has more than 3,880 hectares of tea plantations, with nearly 3,780 hectares under active production. The tea-growing areas are mainly concentrated in the communes of My Thuan, Minh Dai, Van Luong, Long Coc, Tam Thanh, Tan Phu, and Thu Cuc, featuring popular tea varieties such as LDP1, LDP2, and PH1. In recent years, the district has provided guidance and support for households to apply organic cultivation practices, adopt technical measures and safety standards, and integrate management systems and productivity-enhancing tools in both production and processing. As a result, the average tea yield in the district has steadily increased, reaching 11.9 to 12.1 tons per hectare per year. Tea cultivation has proven to be economically viable, providing a stable source of income for local farmers.

Recognizing its potential and advantages, the District Party Executive Committee issued Resolution No. 05-NQ/HU on February 19, 2021, on the development of key agricultural and forestry products through production chains for the 2021–2025 period. Tea was identified as one of the primary product groups to be supported. To date, five production and consumption linkage chains for tea have been established, all demonstrating high economic efficiency.

A notable example is the production and consumption linkage chain led by the Long Coc Safe Tea Production Cooperative, implemented under the project “Improving Green Tea Quality in Association with Building the Phu Tho Tea Brand.” The cooperative has designated a 15-hectare safe production area certified under VietGAP standards. According to Ms. Pham Thi Hanh, Director of the Long Coc Safe Tea Production Cooperative, “Establishing a production-consumption linkage chain brings significant benefits, especially as the cooperative has developed an on-site raw material area and follows VietGAP-certified safe tea processing. By managing the tea cultivation and harvesting practices of households, we are able to bring the highest quality tea products to market.” Currently, the cooperative produces four OCOP-certified tea products, with an annual output of 8 to 12 tons.

Beyond Long Coc, another successful example is the project chaired by the Xuan Dai Agricultural and Forestry Service Cooperative. Implemented under the project “Improving Green Tea Quality in Association with Branding Tea from Xuan Son National Park,” the cooperative has developed a 16-hectare production area certified under VietGAP standards. It currently offers two OCOP-certified tea products, with an annual output of 4 to 6 tons.

In addition, Tan Son district has also developed three other production-processing linkage chains under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program. These include the Hoang Van Tea Production Cooperative with a 15-hectare scale, the Muong Cuc Agricultural and Service Cooperative with 5 hectares, and the Quy Le Tea Processing Facility with 5 hectares. The average output from these models is estimated at 5 to 6 tons per year.

The establishment of production and consumption chains has helped stabilize output for tea products while also raising producers' awareness and sense of responsibility regarding production techniques and processing methods. This has directly contributed to improved yields, higher product quality, and better alignment with increasing consumer demands. Furthermore, the formation of safe green tea production linkage models has promoted the restructuring of the district’s tea industry—shifting from processing black tea and low-value raw green tea to high-value green tea products. This not only enhances tea growers' incomes but also supports environmental protection.

Modern technologies such as gas and electric roasting systems, dryers, rolling machines, and vacuum packaging equipment have replaced traditional wood-burning stoves. These advances have improved productivity, ensured food hygiene and safety, and enhanced product consistency, meeting the requirements of large-scale commercial production. As of now, Tan Son district boasts eight tea products that meet OCOP standards.

Ha Nhung