Sa Pa Artichoke: "Sweet fruit" from a sustainable linkage model

Sa Pa farmers are supported with artichoke growing techniques.

On the hillsides of Sa Pa, a green color is spreading as far as the eye can see. That is the green color of the Artichoke fields. From only growing rice once a year with unstable income, more than 150 ethnic minority households here have had a stable economy when participating in the chain of planting and producing Artichoke on an area of 50 hectares.

Ms. Hang Thi La, a Mong ethnic, calculated the economic efficiency: "This is much better than previous crops. If we harvest the leaves, the plants, the tubers, and the flowers, my family's field will probably earn around 50 million VND."

Like Ms. La, Ms. Giang Thi Nhu has been growing artichoke for 7-8 years now. Ms. Nhu shared that the stable contract price has helped her to be independent in her family's fields, without having to worry about going to work far away.

Ms. Giang Thi Nhu has 7-8 years of experience growing Artichoke.

"This plant was difficult to grow when it was young, as difficult as raising a child. Now that it's grown, it's simple. When it's all harvested in April, I plant cabbage, and in July and August I plant artichoke. Growing these two plants is the most effective. Just growing them at home is enough to comfortably have enough to eat," Ms. Nhu happily said.

This success did not come by chance. It is the result of the "4-house" linkage model: State - Scientists - Enterprises - Farmers, in which enterprises play the role of connecting nucleus. Accordingly, farmers are not only guaranteed output, but also receive technical support throughout the cultivation process.

Mr. Nguyen Phu Tri, the manager of growing area development of TraphacoSapa Company, said: "The advantage of people growing Artichoke is that they do not have to look for an outlet. Enterprises come to them, develop and manage them themselves, and people just supply them when the time comes. The company will support all production techniques, firstly training in the hall, secondly technical support in the field. Whenever people need us, we are there right away, that's why everyone is very grateful."

Sa Pa farmers help each other harvest artichokes.

Technical support combined with a stable output market are the two pillars of the model. From leaves harvested according to GACP-WHO standards, through a modern processing factory, products from Sapa Artichoke are available nationwide and reach consumers through e-commerce channels. In particular, two products from this value chain have become the first 5-star OCOP products of Lao Cai province. Total revenue from the chain associated with Artichoke is estimated at about 10 billion VND per year.

According to Mr. Do Tien Sy, Director of TraphacoSapa, who was recently awarded the title "Farmer's Scientist" in 2025 by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union, the goal of the linkage chain does not stop at economics.

"During training sessions or during production support, businesses also share with people issues related to gender equality. In the past, women could work, but the income they brought home was managed and spent by their husbands, but now they have to discuss it together. In addition, we also share with them skills in photography, clip editing, and social media communication to spread values to the community," Mr. Sy shared.

Artichokes are processed at the factory.

Not only economic benefits, the linkage model in Sa Pa also brings profound social values, from enhancing the role of ethnic minority women to preserving indigenous knowledge. "Green - Harmony - Identity - Happiness", the development philosophy of Lao Cai province is being realized from these Artichoke fields. This is proof that effectively exploiting indigenous potential not only brings sustainable value to the community, but also contributes to enhancing the position of the Vietnamese medicinal herbs industry.

VOV

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/actiso-sa-pa-trai-ngot-tu-mo-hinh-lien-ket-ben-vung-post886227.html