The people of Ta Phin highland region are confidently adopting high-tech agriculture.

In Lao Cai province, Ta Phin commune currently has nearly 87 hectares of high-tech agriculture, mainly growing tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, and other vegetables, generating an income of over 100 billion VND per year.

Nearly 20 high-tech farming models

In recent years, Ta Phin commune in Lao Cai province has become known not only for its community-based tourism villages, traditional brocade weaving, and herbal bath services of the Red Dao ethnic group, but also as a shining example of high-tech agricultural development.

From small-scale initial models, dozens of households have now boldly invested in applying technology to agriculture, such as building greenhouses and automatic irrigation systems, bringing in incomes many times higher than growing rice and corn.

By boldly switching to high-tech agriculture, farmers in Ta Phin commune earn hundreds of millions of dong each year. Photo: Bich Hop.

In the cold weather of the highlands, we visited the tomato and lily cultivation model of Mr. Giàng A Toàn's family in Suối Thầu village, Tả Phìn commune. Mr. Toàn is one of the leading households in Tả Phìn commune applying technology to farming. Inside the greenhouse covering more than 10,000m², the drip irrigation system, humidity-regulating fans, and temperature sensors are synchronized and operate automatically.

Mr. Toan shared: “Previously, farmers only grew vegetables based on experience, completely dependent on the weather, resulting in low yields and many pests and diseases. Since participating in training courses and visiting model farms in many places, I am determined to change my approach. Using technology helps me proactively manage the planting season, save water, reduce pests and diseases, and improve the quality of agricultural products.”

Thanks to production adhering to safety standards, his family's tomatoes and lilies are supplied to homestays, hotels, and supermarket chains in many places. Each year, this model generates several hundred million dong in revenue, many times higher than traditional farming.

Not only Toan's family, but many other families in Ta Phin have also switched from small-scale production to high-tech agriculture. One of the typical models is that of Mr. Vang Van Son's family. Mr. Son's family has 2 hectares of greenhouses growing only tomatoes, earning about 300-500 million VND per year - a figure he never thought possible before.

Bell peppers grown in greenhouses are of higher quality and have a more attractive appearance than those grown outdoors. Photo: Bich Hop.

Mr. Son shared: "In the past, growing tomatoes outdoors was very hard work; rain and wind would ruin everything. Now, with greenhouses and irrigation systems, the plants grow uniformly, the fruits are bigger and more beautiful, so the selling price is higher. Farming with technology requires a large initial investment, but it's very effective."

The significant transformation in Ta Phin's agricultural production is thanks to the clear direction of the local government. Mr. Vu Van Quy, Chairman of the Ta Phin Commune People's Committee, said that the commune has identified high-tech agriculture as a sustainable direction, suitable to the local climate and farming conditions. The commune has developed a plan to support farmers with seeds and techniques, and has also linked with businesses to market their products.

According to Mr. Quy, the commune currently has nearly 20 high-tech agricultural models, focusing on temperate vegetables, strawberries, high-quality flowers, and native medicinal plants. These models generate incomes ranging from 150 to 300 million VND per year, contributing to rapid poverty reduction and stable livelihoods.

Confidently pursuing high-tech agriculture.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, an official from the Economic Department of Ta Phin commune, the biggest breakthrough for the locality lies in the people's bold adoption of technology, no longer relying entirely on the weather. With just a smartphone, farmers can proactively control the irrigation system from anywhere. This reduces water consumption by 40-60%, saving significant labor costs. More importantly, it creates uniform, high-quality products that meet market demands.

Tomato yields in greenhouses, using new cultivation techniques, increased by 1kg/plant compared to traditional farming methods. Photo: Bich Hop.

Mr. Hung emphasized: "Technology not only helps increase productivity but also changes the mindset of production. Farmers have learned to calculate investments, apply technical standards, and link production with the market instead of planting according to habit."

Technology helps manage irrigation water, fertilizers, temperature, and pests more precisely, reducing costs and increasing productivity. More importantly, households have learned to cooperate and create value chains, eliminating the problem of bumper harvests leading to price drops.

To help people understand and apply the techniques properly, the Economic Department of Ta Phin commune regularly organizes training courses, providing guidance on drip irrigation techniques, production according to VietGAP standards, greenhouse operation, and the use of organic fertilizers. As a result, many young people in the commune have returned to start their own businesses, bringing with them new mindsets and boldly investing.

Besides government support, the farmers themselves are the key to success. Ms. Giang Thi May, a household that recently switched from traditional farming to high-tech vegetable cultivation, said: “I find high-tech agriculture not as difficult as I thought. As long as you are willing to learn and follow the correct techniques, everything will be fine. Now, I earn about 50-70 million VND per vegetable crop, and my family's living standards have improved significantly.”

It was this gradual but steady change that created a new production movement in Ta Phin. Many greenhouses sprang up on the hillsides, replacing the fragmented rice paddies of the past. Agriculture is now not just a means of livelihood but has become a strategic direction for economic development.

With 86.62 hectares applying high-tech agriculture, Ta Phin commune earns over 100 billion VND annually. Photo: Bich Hop.

According to Mr. Vu Xuan Quy, Chairman of Ta Phin commune, the commune currently has a total area of ​​86.62 hectares of high-tech agriculture, mainly growing tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, and various vegetables, generating an income of over 100 billion VND annually. Ta Phin commune is developing a plan to replicate effective models, especially high-quality strawberry and flower cultivation to serve experiential tourism – a strength of the commune. At the same time, the commune plans to continue calling on businesses to partner in building concentrated production areas linked to stable consumption.

Ta Phin's high-tech agriculture is becoming a source of safe, high-quality agricultural products for the tourism market. This model also opens up opportunities to create livelihoods for the people, especially the Dao and Mong ethnic groups in the area.

Looking at the lush green vegetable beds and the ripe red strawberry vines in the greenhouses, one can clearly see the transformation of a once-difficult highland region. Today, the people of Ta Phin are no longer confined to rice and corn cultivation, but have confidently embraced smart, modern agriculture – a path leading to a more prosperous life and a more sustainable future.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dong-bao-vung-cao-ta-phin-tu-tin-lam-nong-nghiep-cong-nghe-cao-d787580.html