Sepon arrives, farmers' income increases
At Huong Hoa - Dakrong Protective Forest Management Board (Quang Tri province), there are currently 2,700 hectares of crab planted intercropped with pine, black star or other trees. This type of tree both ensures protective function and brings livelihood. After 4 years of planting, crabs have begun to bear fruit, helping many ethnic minority households earn more income.
Ms. Nguyen Hong Phuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Tri province said that on average, each household living near the protective forest earns an additional 7-10 million VND/year from collecting crabs. In response to the value of the crabs, the Provincial People's Committee has planned to develop an additional 8,000 hectares in the coming time.
Previously, crab was usually sold directly to traders for 5,000 VND/kg. Recognizing the potential, Sepon Group has researched the processing of crab oil and signed an export agreement to India. In October 2025, the first shipment of 60 tons of crab oil will be exported, opening a new market for Quang Tri agricultural products. Thanks to stable output, Sepon Group buys crab at 7,000 VND/kg, much higher than before, making people excited.
Ms. Ho Thi Co (Khe Sanh commune) said that for many years, after the harvest in the fields, she often took the opportunity to go to the forest to pick fallen crabs or pick old fruits to sell. "Previously, the price was only 5,000 VND/kg, now the price has increased to 7,000 VND/kg, income has improved significantly, people are very happy" - she shared.
Not only for crabs, Sepon Group is also a "companion" for mountain people with cassava. Mr. Ho Van Cuoi's family (Lia commune) used to live on unstable rice fields. Since Sepon Group built a cassava processing factory, in 2010, his family moved to growing 2 hectares of cassava, with technical support, fertilizer, and stable purchases. "Thanks to Sepon Group, the people in the village are all better off, no longer the poverty situation as before" - Mr. Cuoi said.
In the plains, the organic rice growing model also creates high income for farmers. Mr. Nguyen Duy Thu - Director of Hieu Bac Agricultural Service Cooperative (Hieu Giang commune) said that from the Summer-Autumn Festival 2022 to now, the cooperative has cooperated with Sepon Group to make 7 organic rice crops with ST25 varieties. Sepon Group guarantees rice at the foot of the field at 13,000 VND/kg, double the normal rice price. "The stability of output and prices has helped farmers feel secure in production" - Mr. Thu said.
Continuing to accompany farmers
Sepon Group has a long history of formation since May 1973, when part of Quang Tri province had just been liberated, the Ministry of Home Trade established Quang Tri Food Diversification Agency. This unit is responsible for serving people in the liberation zone and providing food and provisions for the Southern battlefield. After many stages, the enterprise has now developed and operated in three areas: Production - business - services, with more than 500 employees, with an average income of 13 million VND/person/month.
Mr. Ho Xuan Hieu - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sepon Group said that the company currently cooperates with 60,000 households in the area. "This year, people expect to earn more than 1,200 billion VND from agricultural products sold to the company. In the first 9 months of the year alone, this figure reached more than 700 billion VND" - Mr. Hieu informed.
According to Mr. Hieu, Sepon Group's orientation in the coming time is to continue to improve output, quality and purchase price for people. The company is also committed to expanding its strong crops, linking production with export markets so that Quang Tri agricultural products will increasingly have a solid position.
Not only accompanying farmers, Sepon Group is also a typical enterprise in implementing social responsibility. The company has won the "Enterprise for Workers" award 4 times by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, received the Emulation Flag of the Government and the Second Class Independence Medal.
From cassava and crab trees associated with ethnic minorities in mountainous areas to organic rice fields in the plains, the mark of Sepon Group is present throughout the rural areas of Quang Tri. This enterprise has proven that sticking with farmers is not only a production cooperation but also a way to build a sustainable agriculture, bringing long-term benefits to people and society.
sticking with farmers is not only a production cooperation but also a way to build a sustainable agriculture, bringing long-term benefits to people and society.
