The family of Mr. Luong Si Duc (31 years old) is one of the large households that cook molasses in Tho Dien commune. Mr. Duc said that during Tet, his family produced more than 10 tons of molasses. Not only did he sell all the products his family produced, Mr. Duc also helped other households in the commune purchase and consume them.
Mrs. Phan Thi Huong’s family is also a large producer. On this occasion, her family cooks 100-150 liters of molasses every day. With a selling price of about 70,000 VND/liter, she earns 7-10 million VND/day.
According to Ms. Huong, in the past, people in Tho Dien commune used to use buffalo power to pull sugarcane in a circular motion to squeeze sugarcane to make molasses. However, over time, people stopped using buffalo power because it was outdated and unhygienic, and switched to using sugarcane pressing machines.
Using a machine ensures hygiene and is much more productive than using manual labor.
In Tho Dien commune, there is now Son Tho Molasses Service Cooperative. The molasses products of this cooperative have been granted a 3-star CCOP certificate.
“Currently, we can press about 5 tons of fresh sugarcane every day and cook more than 400 liters of commercial molasses. Thanks to the successful development of 3-star OCOP products, all products are ordered by customers and traders as soon as they are made,” said Ms. Doan Thi Nhan - Director of Son Tho Molasses Service Cooperative.
According to Ms. Nhan, Tho Dien is a locality with favorable natural conditions for sugarcane cultivation. From around the 11th lunar month, the sugarcane harvest to prepare for molasses cooking begins to gradually become more active.
When cooking honey, the cook must stand and "watch" the pan for many hours, stirring continuously and evenly. When the honey boils, skim off the scum. If you are not careful, the honey will burn, turn black and not be delicious.
The time to burn each batch of honey is from 4 to 5 hours. When the honey starts to thicken and turn golden brown, the cooking is complete.
In recent years, demand has increased so during Tet, families here sell an average of more than 2 tons of commercial honey, bringing in a decent income to spend during Tet.
Mr. Pham Quang Tung - Acting Chairman of Tho Dien Commune People's Committee - said that this year, molasses output in Tho Dien Commune reached about 200 tons, bringing in revenue of about 10 billion VND.
“Currently, Tho Dien molasses brand is quite famous inside and outside the province, so consumption is quite favorable, bringing good income to people.
Therefore, our locality has determined to continue to mobilize people to expand sugarcane growing areas, invest in sugarcane pressing machines to make molasses to develop the economy, helping to improve people's lives," Mr. Tung shared.
