160 Ngọc Linh ginseng plants were stolen from Tu Mơ Rông Kon Tum Ngọc Linh Ginseng Joint Stock Company’s farm on August 21-22. - VNA Photo

KON TUM Farmers in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum are concerned about the growing incidence of theft of Ngọc Linh ginseng from their farms.

Tu Mơ Rông Kon Tum Ngọc Linh Ginseng Joint Stock Company lost 160 ginseng plants on August 21-22 to thieves.

Nguyễn Thanh Hoàng, who is in charge of the company’s ginseng farm, said a power outage occurred on August 21.

On the following morning, when he and others were fixing the electrical equipment, they discovered that the power lines had been cut. 

They then went to inspect the farm only to find that the plants had been stolen. 

Trần Đức Long, another company employee, said since there was no power there is no camera footage of the farm during the theft, indicating the thieves were well acquainted with the area and specifically targeted large plants, which are more valuable.

The smaller plants remained untouched.

The area is securely fenced and showed no signs of being tampered with or broken into.

This has recurred many times in the province.

In February this year 800 ginseng plants were stolen in Tê Xăng, Ngọk Lây, Đăk Sao, and Đăk Na communes. 

Farmers are worried about the frequent thefts but are clueless about the perpetrators.

The authorities are investigating the thefts with the assistance of local residents.

In Măng Ri Commune, there have been three thefts this year, including the theft of one some 100 plants from a farm owned by Long Láy villagers in June.

A Phú, the head of the village, said the villagers reported the thefts to the authorities and held meetings to examine the origins of each farmer’s Ngọc Linh ginseng.

A Thảo, a local resident, admitted to stealing nearly 100 ginseng plants after an investigation by the villagers, and was severely penalised according to “village rules”, A Phú said.

Võ Trung Mạnh, chairman of the Tu Mơ Rông District People's Committee, said while petty thefts could be handled by the villagers themselves, major cases need to be handled by the law.

Tu Mơ Rông District authorities have repeatedly directed the police to coordinate with local authorities to conduct patrols and prevent the ginseng thefts. VNS