The driving force for rural development

Aiming at the goal of developing green, modern and sustainable agriculture, Thai Nguyen province has identified the development of small-scale industries (TTCN) as an important direction to diversify rural livelihoods. Along with that, the province focuses on promoting the application of science and technology in production, improving product quality and value, promoting economic restructuring towards efficiency, associated with the development of eco-tourism and agricultural experiences, contributing to the formation of sustainable value chains.

Leaders of Phuc Thuan ward visited a tea processing facility in the area.

From traditional craft to sustainable value chain

Thai Nguyen has a tradition of many handicrafts such as incense making, blacksmithing, carpentry, weaving, tea processing, etc. Promoting the existing potential, along with the attention and support of the province and the efforts of the people, up to now, hundreds of small-scale handicraft production establishments have been maintained and expanded, creating stable jobs, contributing to increasing income and promoting rural economic development.

At the same time, the province focuses on promoting the restructuring of the agricultural sector towards efficiency and sustainability; strengthening linkages and cooperation in production to form agricultural value chains; developing high-tech agriculture, clean agriculture, and organic agriculture.

Along with improving product quality and value, Thai Nguyen also focuses on expanding consumption markets, promoting deep processing, serving domestic demand and exporting key agricultural products.

Mr. Thach Tho Cong, Director of Cong Tam Minh Duc Tea Cooperative (Phuc Thuan Ward), said: Since receiving capital support and participating in technical training courses, the Cooperative has invested in a semi-automatic processing line. Thanks to that, the tea products have consistent quality, beautiful appearance, and are favored by consumers, thereby helping the income of members increase significantly compared to before.

In recent times, the province has focused on building institutions to support agricultural production linkages, from land planning, crop selection, input material supply to output product consumption. At the same time, it has strengthened and promoted the operational efficiency of agricultural cooperatives and cooperative groups.

In the small-scale handicraft industries, tea is identified as a typical strength of Thai Nguyen. Many communes and wards with large tea growing areas have invested in modern processing and packaging technology, helping Thai Nguyen tea products not only maintain the domestic market but also export to many countries.

People of Phuc Thuan ward are confident in sticking with the profession of growing and processing tea.

Mr. Ta Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Thuan Ward, said: Developing small-scale industries contributes to diversifying occupations, increasing income for people and reducing dependence on agricultural production. This is an important driving force for promoting sustainable rural development.

In the coming time, the ward will continue to coordinate with relevant units to effectively implement industrial promotion programs, support technological innovation, promote products, especially create conditions to access preferential capital sources so that the handicraft industry can increasingly affirm its role in the local economy.

New vitality from handicraft industry

Besides tea trees, traditional craft villages such as incense making, bamboo and rattan weaving, fine art wooden products... in Thai Nguyen are also being maintained and developed stably. According to statistics from the Department of Industry and Trade, the whole province currently has over 1,000 small-scale handicraft establishments, attracting tens of thousands of rural workers.

The value of industrial and handicraft production in rural areas reaches thousands of billions of VND each year. Many typical local products have affirmed their firm position in the market.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Tuong, owner of a fine art wooden production facility in Phuong Do craft village (Phu Binh commune), shared: Previously, we only produced on a small scale within the family. To maintain the profession, expand the scale and meet market demand, households have proactively joined together to form production groups, both creating jobs on the spot and increasing income. Currently, our fine art wooden production facility has 48 members participating in stable production.

Production of fine art wooden products in Phuong Do craft village, Phu Binh commune.

In Vo Tranh commune, an area with favorable natural conditions for tea trees, many craft villages and tea processing facilities have been established and developed towards improving quality and building brands. Cooperatives and households have invested in modern machinery, applied safe production processes, and created high-value specialty tea products.

The commune government actively provides technical support, trade promotion and consumption connection, helping the tea handicraft industry become a key economic sector, contributing to increasing income, creating jobs and promoting sustainable rural economic restructuring.

Ms. Bui Phuong Thao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vo Tranh Commune, said: Currently, 100% of establishments and cooperatives in the area have invested in tea processing equipment using new technology. In the coming time, the commune will continue to support training and guidance on production according to standard processes to continuously improve the value of local tea products.

Thai Nguyen province has also issued many policies to encourage the development of small-scale industries. In the period 2025-2030, the province aims to support hundreds of establishments each year to innovate technology, improve product quality and competitiveness. At the same time, continue to effectively implement the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program, linking the development of small-scale industries with community tourism and building unique brands for each locality.

Mr. Nguyen Tung Duong, representative of Viet Thai Tea Joint Stock Company, said: Thanks to the attention of departments, branches and sectors and capital support from the budget, businesses have more conditions to invest in modern machinery, improve production capacity and product quality.

Not only relying on the support of the State, many small-scale industrial establishments have proactively innovated their methods. Many production households have boldly applied digital technology in promoting, selling, and approaching customers through social networks and e-commerce platforms. Some businesses have also participated in international fairs to seek cooperation opportunities and expand export markets.

In practice, the development of small-scale handicraft production has contributed to creating a new face for Thai Nguyen countryside. Tens of thousands of workers have stable jobs, many households have become well-off, and the material and spiritual life of the people has increasingly improved.

During the 2025-2030 term, one of the province's strategic breakthroughs is to increase investment attraction, especially in industrial parks and clusters, renewable energy, services, tourism and agricultural and forestry processing; promote start-ups, develop collective economy in rural areas; mobilize, manage and effectively use investment resources; develop green economy and circular economy.

The methodical steps, linking tradition and modernity, production and market will help small-scale industry become an important driving force, contributing to the comprehensive, prosperous and sustainable development of Thai Nguyen countryside; concretizing the goals of the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202510/dong-luc-giup-nong-thon-phat-trien-27022cb/