The Value of Ramie Plants for Farmers and Workers

The Ramie plant (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) is a high-value crop that offers numerous benefits not only for the environment but also for farmers and workers. Let’s explore more in this article!

What is the Ramie plant?

Ramie (scientific name Boehmeria nivea), is one of the economically valuable crops. Its fibers are widely used in the textile industry due to their long, strong characteristics, excellent moisture absorption, breathability, thermal conductivity, durability, and antibacterial properties. It is a native plant of Asia, existing for many years before the Common Era.

In Vietnam, since 2009, a traditionally selected and bred variety, without the use of biotechnology related to genetic modification, has been approved and protected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The largest natural Ramie fiber industry in Southeast Asia is located in the mountainous commune of Cam Tu, Thanh Hoa province, completely transforming the economy and livelihood of the local people.

What Value Does the Ramie Plant Bring to Farmers and Workers?

• Stable Livelihoods: Not only does it create jobs for nearly 1,000 workers at the factory, but all households growing Ramie are also guaranteed by the Ramie value chain to purchase dry Ramie bark for the production of fibers, fabrics, and many premium Ramie products.
  
• Guaranteed Income: Each farmer growing Ramie is ensured a livelihood with an income of 50,000,000 VND – 80,000,000 VND per hectare per year, supported by Decision 385/2021/NQ-HĐND of the Thanh Hoa People’s Committee.
  

The Process of Purchasing Ramie Bark from the Vietnamese Ramie Value Chain

Selecting Varieties and Planting Areas:

• Using the AP1 Ramie variety recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
  
• Choosing planting areas with suitable soil and climate conditions to ensure the quality of Ramie fibers.

Cultivation Process:

• Ramie is grown and cared for according to advanced agricultural standards to optimize the development and quality of the fibers.
  
• Ramie is typically harvested after 45 days from the second year and can be cultivated for up to 16 years.
  

Classification and Packaging:

• Ramie is classified according to quality standards:
  
  • Grade 1: Fiber length ≥135m, impurity rate ≤1% by weight.
  • Grade 2: Fiber length ≥1m and 135m, impurity rate ≤1.5% by weight.
• For bundled Ramie: Bundled into small bunches of 1 – 1.2 kg, then 10 – 15 small bunches are tied into a large bundle of 15 – 25kg.
  
• For baled Ramie: Bundled into small bunches of 6 – 8kg, then 10 small bunches are tied into a large bundle, stacked head-to-tail, and baled with a weight of 50 – 75kg.
  

Quality Standards:

• Ramie must meet standards regarding variety origin, color, moisture, cleanliness, and fiber index.
  
• The moisture content of the product must be ≤14%; if it exceeds 20%, it must be dried again.
  

The purchasing process is communicated to each Ramie-growing household to ensure the best quality dry Ramie bark and stable livelihoods for each harvest.

Conclusion

The Ramie plant is not only a valuable raw material for the textile industry but also plays a crucial role in improving the livelihoods of local farmers and workers. Learn more interesting information about Ramie and Ramie fashion HERE!
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