Developing agriculture and forestry linked to value chains in ethnic minority and mountainous areas

In recent years, the implementation of Project 3 on sustainable agricultural and forestry production development in the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas has brought about many clear changes.

In recent years, the implementation of Project 3 on sustainable agricultural and forestry production development in the National Target Program on socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas has brought about many clear changes. From production linkage models associated with value chains, people's income has been increased, life has been improved and they have sustainable livelihoods on their homeland.

In Nghia Do commune, the story of Vinh Yen Agricultural and Service Cooperative is a clear example. Established in 2020 with 11 members, the cooperative has quickly affirmed its position in the field of cinnamon and lemongrass essential oil production. Currently, the cooperative's essential oil products have met 4-star OCOP standards, opening up opportunities to reach out to large markets in the northern mountainous provinces.

Thanks to bold investment in modern distillation lines, the cooperative's essential oil products always ensure consistent quality. Each year, the cooperative brings in about 500 million VND in revenue, creating stable jobs for more than 10 Tay and Mong women with an income of over 3 million VND/month. Not only stopping at economic development, Ms. Lien also wants to spread the entrepreneurial spirit to ethnic minority women in the surrounding area, so that they can be more confident in life.

In Xuan Hoa commune, Ban Mo is a bright spot where people participate in the banana growing model according to VietGAP standards. The whole commune currently has nearly 60 hectares of bananas, of which 29 hectares meet VietGAP standards.

Mr. Hoang Van Dung, a household participating in the model, shared: Before, my family only grew bananas on a small scale, selling to traders, so the income was unstable. Since joining the Thuong Nong Cooperative, we have been trained in techniques, supported with fertilizers and especially have a stable output. People are assured of taking care of production, no longer worrying about being forced down on prices like before.

Thuong Nong Agricultural Cooperative not only stands up to link and consume products but also actively seeks markets and promotes the Xuan Hoa banana brand to neighboring provinces. Concentrated production and application of new techniques have helped to significantly increase banana productivity and quality, raising people's income.

The Raspberry Hill Tourism Cooperative model in Pung Luong commune shows a new direction: economic development associated with community tourism. Established in 2022 with 7 members, the cooperative has rented nearly 5 hectares of terraced fields in the Raspberry Hill area to both grow rice and exploit tourism. During each peak tourist season, the cooperative creates jobs for more than 10 seasonal workers and manages about 500 motorbike taxis to transport visitors. People not only have extra income from labor but also from accompanying services. Ms. Giang Thi Bau, Ta Chi Lu village, excitedly said: My family both rents land to the cooperative and works for hire, earning 150,000 VND per day. In addition, I also sell traditional costumes and brocade to tourists. Life is much better than before.

The cooperative hires people to work on their fields, helping them earn extra income and preserve traditional farming methods. More importantly, Pung Luong is known to more tourists, creating more opportunities for sustainable development for the people.

Director of Ly A Do Cooperative

Not only in Nghia Do, Xuan Hoa or Pung Luong, the whole province has had hundreds of models of agricultural - forestry production linkages linked to value chains implemented. Particularly in the sub-project of agricultural - forestry economic development linked to forest protection, more than 1.47 million hectares of forest have been contracted for protection with the participation of 323 thousand households. More than 710 thousand hectares of production forest and natural forest have been assigned to the community for management. Along with that, 403 production projects have attracted the participation of 817 enterprises, cooperatives and nearly 13,600 ethnic households. More than 2,500 community projects with 20,500 beneficiary households have contributed to job creation, income increase, and promoting economic restructuring in ethnic minority and mountainous areas towards sustainability.

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The common points in the models are community, initiative and solidarity. Participating in cooperatives helps people feel like they are part of a collective, having a voice in production and business decisions. At the same time, many cooperatives established by ethnic minorities have focused on preserving native plant varieties, farming methods associated with traditional culture, turning agricultural products into a bridge to promote culture and tourism.

Developing agriculture and forestry associated with value chains has been opening up new directions for ethnic minority areas. Successful cooperatives and production models are convincing evidence of change. On that basis, we believe that the path to sustainable poverty reduction and getting rich right on our homeland will be increasingly open to ethnic minorities in the highlands.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/phat-trien-nong-lam-nghiep-gan-chuoi-gia-tri-o-vung-dong-bao-dan-toc-va-mien-nui-post882303.html