Cinnamon is grown widely in Vietnam’s Lao Cai Province, with more than 30,000 hectares of land in the Province currently producing this in-demand spice. However, the producers and buyers of cinnamon have historically been somewhat disconnected. Now, one project is working to change that.

The Australian Government-funded Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program in partnership with the Lao Cai Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, SNV, Son Ha Spice and Flavouring Company and the Vietnam Cinnamon and Star Anise Production and Exports Joint Stock Company (Vinasamex) is working on the market development and improved competitiveness of cinnamon products in Lao Cai Province, with a focus on women’s economic empowerment.

Despite widespread cultivation of cinnamon in Lao Cai Province, farmers had little knowledge of recent shifts in cultivation and tending techniques. Many households used low quality seedlings they had produced themselves and were not aware of international or organic certification standards. They also did not have access to recent technology and information on cinnamon growing and production and sales typically occurred at a household level. All of this meant the quality of cinnamon produced was varied and not of a high enough standard to break into key domestic and international markets.

The project has connected cinnamon farmers through cinnamon interest groups and through using Facebook with the aim to increase the knowledge of farmers and establish connections so that they become more organised in their cinnamon production.

There are currently 1,602 households registered to be members of the cinnamon interest groups and more than 5,000 farmers have already joined and are benefiting from the project. Mrs Vang Thi Chanh from Lang Chang Village in Coc Lau Commune, Bac Ha District shared how her family sees real benefits in joining the project:

“We have been connected and participated in meaningful, practical and useful activities and information, such as training, workshops, study tours, technical guidance leaflets, communication events and contests. This has encouraged farming households like us to link up and work together on cinnamon-based economic development.”

Mrs Vang Thi Chanh reported she was also actively involved in the groups and this involvement had boosted her confidence.

“I feel more self-confident, and I also now speak at village meetings. I see that in my family or in other households in the village, men and women are more equal. All participating households now have improved incomes thanks to the new knowledge,” Mrs Chanh said.

Mrs Vang Thi Chanh taking care of her cinnamon

Mr Luc Van Khoi (Mrs Chanh’s husband) further explained the benefits of the groups for himself and his wife: “My wife and I, and other households joining the cinnamon interest groups, find them very useful. Cinnamon farmers in my village are now connected and we discuss our production, prevention of pests/diseases and harvesting. We also discuss our buyers and the selling price to avoid being forced to sell at lower prices and we link with companies to ensure a stable output.”

Mr Khoi also explained that the project had changed the production practices of local farmers, with a shift from individual, opportunistic production to production based on market demand.

Lao Cai cinnamon farmers are better organised and working towards improved productivity and profitability together.

Mr Luc Van Khoi (Mrs Chanh’s husband) further explained the benefits of the groups for himself and his wife: “My wife and I, and other households joining the cinnamon interest groups, find them very useful. Cinnamon farmers in my village are now connected and we discuss our production, prevention of pests/diseases and harvesting. We also discuss our buyers and the selling price to avoid being forced to sell at lower prices and we link with companies to ensure a stable output.”

Mr Khoi also explained that the project had changed the production practices of local farmers, with a shift from individual, opportunistic production to production based on market demand.

The Chairman of Nam Luc Communal People’s Committee, Mr Sam Phuong Long, explained the impact of the project on the local government and community.

“The project activities have had clear impacts on the local government and people. Lao Cai farmers now link together to earn an income from cinnamon. There are experience exchanges and discussions on the methods of cinnamon cultivation between people in different villages, communes or districts of Lao Cai Province. At present, the Commune is mobilising local resources and farmers’ resources to invest in sustainable cinnamon production,” Mr Long explained.

Mrs Luc Thi Tham, a member of Lang Chang Cinnamon Group in Coc Lau shared her experience:

“Since joining cinnamon interest groups, we better understand the value of cinnamon, and the benefits of sustainable cinnamon development. I hope that in the near future, Lao Cai cinnamon will be associated with an image of wealth, self-confidence and self-control of Lao Cai people.”

At present, households in five communes have partnered with two companies. Both companies are building facilities in the Province which will enable the more regular purchase of cinnamon and the creation of additional jobs for local women.

“The most obvious change (from the project) is in the mindset, in the way they think and act. The husbands now share housework, work on the fields, and discuss production and business with their wives. While women are brave, self-confident and share their ideas in front of a crowd,” Mr Long confirmed.