Ban Lau focuses on promoting the development of key crops.

In recent years, the shift in crop structure towards commodity production has opened up opportunities for sustainable poverty alleviation for many households in Ban Lau commune. No longer dependent on corn and cassava as before, the bold introduction of key crops such as tea, pineapple, and bananas into production has led to the formation of effective economic models.

People in Ban Lau commune are harvesting tea.

The family of Ms. Tran Thi Ha in Na Pa village was once classified as a poor household, relying solely on a few plots of land for growing corn and cassava, providing an unstable income. After being encouraged by the commune government to convert their land to tea cultivation – a crop suitable for hilly areas, offering high economic value and a stable market – she boldly expanded her area to nearly 2 hectares. Thanks to proper investment and care, after only a few years, the tea yielded a stable harvest, bringing her family approximately 100 million VND annually.

Ban Lau commune proactively manages its tea seedling supply.

Ms. Ha shared: "The government provides support in terms of seeds, technical training, and initial investment, so every family has the opportunity to develop. Thanks to tea cultivation, my family has escaped poverty and our economy is more stable."

Besides tea, pineapple cultivation has also become a sustainable livelihood for many households in the region. Ms. Luc Thi Phuong in Na Ma village has been involved in pineapple farming for over a decade. Thanks to stable sales links with cooperatives and businesses, her family earns about 40 million VND per harvest. Stable prices and favorable market outlets help farmers confidently expand their cultivated area and adhere to proper care procedures, improving production efficiency.

The locals take care of the pineapple plants.

Ban Lau also has the advantage of banana production, a crop suitable for the hot and humid climate, with a quick harvest. Many households have gained a significant additional income from banana cultivation, reducing their dependence on traditional food crops.

Building upon successful household production models, Ban Lau commune is gradually expanding its plan for key crop cultivation areas, linked to commodity development. Based on land advantages and market demand, the commune has identified tea, pineapple, and banana as three key crops, prioritizing their development in a stable and sustainable manner, ensuring both increased income for residents and a foundation for building concentrated commodity production areas.

Ban Lau commune currently has over 2,000 hectares of pineapple plantations, providing a stable source of income for the local people.

Regarding tea cultivation, the commune currently has over 2,600 hectares, including 1,923 hectares of commercial tea plantations and 613 hectares of newly established tea plantations. Tea continues to be the main crop, making a significant contribution to the commune's economic development. The estimated tea harvest in 2025 is 28,540 tons, generating nearly 170 billion VND in revenue. Notably, the newly planted tea area has reached 105 hectares out of 75 hectares, exceeding the provincial target by 40%, demonstrating the need for expansion and the proactive approach of the local people.

Pineapple, a crop closely associated with Ban Lau for nearly 30 years, continues to assert its position as the entire commune maintains over 2,000 hectares, producing 44,843 tons and valued at 340.8 billion VND. Stabilizing the planted area and ensuring market access through cooperatives and businesses is the foundation that helps pineapple continue to be a pillar of livelihood for the locality.

The Bản Lầu pineapples have an attractive appearance, good quality, and are labeled, making them easy to sell.

Although banana cultivation covers a smaller area than the other two crops, it yields quick economic returns. The entire commune has 212 hectares, of which 86 hectares are currently producing fruit, with an estimated annual yield of 1,527 tons, valued at over 10.7 billion VND. Bananas provide many households with a stable source of income, contributing to the diversification of agricultural production.

Along with expanding the cultivated area, Ban Lau focuses on building a production-consumption chain to ensure stable outlets for agricultural products. Currently, the commune has two large enterprises: Asia Food Joint Stock Company - processing fruits and vegetables for export; and Thanh Binh Tea Joint Stock Company; along with 10 cooperatives operating in the agricultural sector. These enterprises and cooperatives not only purchase products but also provide technical support, plant seeds, and guidance on standardized cultivation processes, helping farmers produce goods that meet market demands.

Tea production at Thanh Binh Tea Joint Stock Company.

The system of enterprises and cooperatives plays a crucial role in organizing production and product distribution, creating motivation for people to confidently expand the area of ​​key crops and feel secure in their commitment to tea, pineapple, and banana cultivation.

Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ban Lau commune, said: "Expanding key crops not only increases income but also creates a fundamental change in the farming mindset of the people. The commune focuses on converting inefficient land areas to cultivate high-value economic crops; at the same time, it links with businesses and cooperatives to guarantee product sales. As a result, people's income has increased significantly, and the poverty rate has decreased annually."

Thanks to the right direction and coordinated efforts, the lives of the people in Ban Lau are becoming increasingly stable, with many households rising to a comfortable standard of living. Today, Ban Lau is adorned with a green hue stretching across the hillsides – the green of tea, pineapple, and banana plantations that have been systematically planned, affirming the correct path in agricultural development linked to sustainable poverty reduction.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ban-lau-tap-trung-day-manh-phat-trien-cac-cay-trong-chu-luc-post888738.html