Developing household economies, upland farmers in the Bac Ha district increase income from clean vegetables

DNHN - With a total value of 27 billion VND from the production of safe vegetables - off-season vegetables and specialty vegetables in the first half of 2023, the Bac Ha district has accelerated the restructuring of crops and developed high-tech agriculture

To expedite the restructuring of crops and agricultural development, the aforementioned results demonstrate the economy's efficacy and the right new direction for implementing Resolution 10 of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee in the Bac Ha district. For upland farmers, high technology associated with tourism will increase income and sustainably reduce poverty.

Recently, the Agriculture Department of Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province, reported that the total area of clean specialty vegetables - safe vegetables in the district for the first six months of 2023 is 297 ha, including Off-season vegetables, safe vegetables are estimated at 118 hectares, of which the area for harvesting is estimated at 48 hectares, and the yield is estimated at 571.2 tonnes; vegetable mass 179 ha with a yield of 2,130.1 tonnes. Total vegetable production is estimated at 2,701.3 tonnes, with a value of over 27 billion Vietnamese Dong. About 70% of the province's consumption demand is met, with the remaining 30% going to tourists and other provinces. The consumption situation and stable price of 15-20 thousand VND/kg have resulted in quite high income, thereby enhancing and bettering the lives of the highland residents.

2023 is the year to continue promoting the implementation of Resolution No. 10 of the Standing Committee of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee, particularly in the central and upper districts with temperate climates, as well as the Northern upland district. Ha has been concentrating on growing and expanding the area of out-of-season and organic vegetables, with many specialty vegetables associated with product consumption links to increase economic efficiency per unit of farmland. Cooperation contributes to the development of sustainable agricultural tourism, increases farmers' and communities' incomes, and reduces poverty sustainably.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Giang, Head of Bac Ha district's Agriculture Department, stated, "Over the past few years, Bac Ha district has focused on planting and expanding the area of off-season vegetables, safe vegetables, and creating vegetable products., tubers and specialty fruits such as kale, heart cabbage, five-spice vegetables, red radish, peas... both supply the domestic and foreign markets of the district, as well as a tourist product that tourists enjoy in meals or

Mr. Tran Dac Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lung Phinh Commune, Bac Ha District, stated, "In 2023, the commune will continue to encourage the planting of off-season crops, safe vegetables, and specialty vegetables, particularly cabbage. kale is a consumer favorite, with the well-known Fram kale farm in the country producing clean vegetable products and beverages and foods such as vermicelli extracted from the raw materials of Lung Phinh kale and sold by supermarkets in Hanoi and the province. Vegetables bring greater economic efficiency than other crops, help people increase their income and increase the coefficient of agricultural land use, and, most importantly, generate more products and attract tourists to Lung Phinh and Bac Ha."

Mr. Trang Sao Long, of the Phu La ethnic group, was the first farmer to participate in the model of growing Kale vegetables in Lung Phinh commune. He stated, "My family has been involved in growing Kale vegetables since 2021. Participating in this model, the family received seeds and nylon, as well as guidance from agricultural extension agents on planting and care techniques. Fram purchases the item. In 2022, the family will expand the area to cultivate more than three sao of vegetables; this year, they will cultivate the same amount. This kale grows well, tastes good, and is harvested at a reasonable price. notably high, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per kilogram, much higher than other vegetables and growing maize and rice."

To stabilize output and increase the value of off-season vegetables, the Bac Ha district's safe vegetables department has directed the district's Agricultural Service Centre to implement planting and consumption models for locals. table. In the Bac Ha district, vegetables and tubers are grown in overlapping seasons, harvested in batches, and shipped to supermarkets in Hanoi. Due to cooperative efforts, the average selling price of out-of-season vegetables in the Bac Ha district has reached 20,000 VND per kilogram. People in the Bac Ha district can earn approximately 200 million VND per hectare of off-season vegetables.

It can be asserted that the promotion of crop restructuring, increasing cropping, intercropping, and developing off-season vegetables, safe vegetables, and a variety of specialty vegetables has a connection to product consumption. products to improve economic efficiency per unit of arable land is a suitable and effective new direction in the highlands of Bac Ha, Lao Cai province while contributing to the development of sustainable agricultural tourism and increasing income and sustainable poverty reduction for local farmers.

P.V (T/h)