Drying model results in fuel saving and time

In order to get a dried cardamom, cardamom growers must take at least 2 cubic meters of firewood. Last year, the family collected nearly 5 quintals of dried cardamom, the whole family had to dig a kiln and cut down dozens of big timber trees to get enough firewood to dry all the cardamom collected from the field.

But this year, thanks to the State's support for materials and technical guidelines for drying cardamom in the new method, the amount of firewood only consumes about 1/4, the quality of dried fruits is still good, the time is reduced by half.

This is the opinion of Mr. Sung A Dé, one of the most fruit-growing households in Muong Hum, Bat Xat and Lao Cai districts.

The whole province of Lao Cai currently has over 8,800ha of fruits, concentrated in Bat Xat, Van Ban and Sa Pa districts. In particular, the area is being harvested up to over 7,400ha, the average output is about 1,200 tons / year. With this output, if using manual drying method, it will consume a large amount of firewood, causing significant damage to forest wood.

In order to overcome this situation, after many years of researching and successfully testing the model of cardamom drying according to the new method, this year, the provincial Agricultural Extension Center expanded the drying model of fruit-drying kilns towards saving firewood in the localities. Van Ban district 10 models / 10 communes, Sa Pa 13 models / 13 communes, Bat Xat 17 models / 14 communes.

Households implementing this model were supported by a part of the construction materials and technical guidelines for drying cardamom.

According to Mr. Sung A Dé, with a new type of kiln built in a closed way, many floors can be dried 3 to 5 fresh fruits at a time, reducing drying time to half compared to previous years; Although the construction of a kiln has increased slightly, it has been used for many years and makes use of cheap fuels such as straw for drying, not necessarily as big as it used to be.

The widespread application of a new model of fruit drying kiln in combination with planning the area to forest areas to be grown cardamom, promoting propaganda to raise awareness of forest protection and development among the people will contribute to protecting protect forest resources, protect the natural environment.