Long Yen village (Binh Son commune) has long been considered the "kingdom" of palanquin cultivation in Quang Ngai province, with an area of about 22 hectares, with an average yield estimated at 16 tons/ha. The village is located leaning against high hillsides, soil mixed with sand, water mainly from rain, converging particularly favorable natural conditions for palanquin trees to grow.
Thanks to the suitable soil, Long Yen pickled onions have a strong aroma, characteristic mild spicy taste, and are highly appreciated by consumers, especially every Tet holiday and spring. Many familiar traders, every year come to this pickled onion village to buy.
According to local people, palanquins are usually sown from around July of the lunar calendar. For many long months, people diligently weed, fertilize, and prevent pests and diseases. In December, the whole village enters the peak harvest season again, the bustling atmosphere lasts until the days close to the Lunar New Year.
After each sausage crop, the soil is utilized to grow cassava or other crops, helping people have additional income all year round, not letting the soil rest.
This year, the weather is favorable, with few rains and storms, the pickled onions are developing well, tubers are large, even, and have few pests and diseases. The price of fresh pickled onions currently purchased by traders ranges from 12,000 - 14,000 VND/kg, bringing excitement to pickled onions growers as Tet is approaching.
Attached to the palanquin tree for many years, Mr. Pham Van Tan (Long Yen village) said that his family grows about 2,000 m2 of palanquins. Thanks to bumper crops and good prices, total revenue is estimated at nearly 50 million VND. After deducting costs of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, the family still makes a profit of about 30 million VND to prepare for Tet.
The sausage growing profession in Long Yen has been formed for decades. Most sausage growing households have seniority and master farming techniques, from variety selection, soil preparation to harvesting and preservation.
For many families, the palanquin is not only an important source of income besides rice and crops, but also associated as a part of the memories and rhythm of life in the countryside every spring.
Notably, thanks to the quality and brand being affirmed, the "Binh Long - Binh Son Kieu" product has been granted a trademark certificate by the Intellectual Property Office (Ministry of Science and Technology), opening up opportunities to improve the value and expand the consumption market for local kieu trees.
