New directions in economic development in hilly areas

According to the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, agroforestry production is increasingly asserting itself as a sustainable production method, especially suitable for hilly areas. The advantage of this model is the harmonious combination of agricultural crops, forestry crops and livestock on the same area. This method brings stable economic value, improves livelihoods, protects land resources, increases forest cover and adapts to climate change.

The Provincial Agricultural Extension Center has implemented two agroforestry models in Con Tien commune, with citrus fruit trees such as: V2 orange, Xa Doai orange, green-skinned grapefruit, Thai jackfruit, Taiwanese pear guava. These trees are intercropped with short-term crops such as green tea, watermelon, combined with forestry trees such as green doi, hybrid acacia and free-range chicken farming.

The agroforestry model of Mr. Phan Quang, in Con Tien commune, brings high income - Photo: TH

Mr. Phan Van Loc, Binh Son village, Con Tien commune, is one of the successful examples. Since 2019, with the support of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, his family has implemented an agroforestry model on an area of 8 hectares. Including 3 hectares of hybrid acacia, 2 hectares of grapefruit, 2 hectares of oranges, and 1 hectare of guava. In addition, the family intercropped 1.2 hectares of watermelon and combined it with free-range chicken farming. Mr. Loc said that initially, the perennial crops were not yet harvested, but thanks to intercropping watermelon, he earned 150 million VND in the first 2 years. The guava area was harvested after more than 2 years, bringing in more than 120 million VND per year.

In addition, he also raises 200-300 hybrid chickens, earning 10-12 million VND/batch. By the end of 2024, his family will earn 230 million VND from exploiting 3 hectares of hybrid acacia; more than 100 million VND from grapefruit and orange trees that bear fruit. Mr. Loc also invested in irrigation systems and machinery to take care of the garden.

Another case is Mr. Phan Quang, Thien Thanh village, Con Tien commune. He is converting 2.2 hectares of old rubber and low-yielding cassava into a mixed agroforestry model. The main types of fruit trees are citrus fruits combined with green dổi trees planted in the belt. Between the rows of oranges and grapefruits, Mr. Quang intercrops with vằng tea covered with nylon tarpaulin.

Mr. Quang said that before implementing the model, he and other farmers in the area were trained by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center on technical farming processes, from land preparation to care and pest control... In 2024, he was also supported by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center with additional fertilizer for fruit tree care and 310 breeding chickens. Thanks to the correct application of technical processes, the chickens gained weight according to the set target. After deducting expenses, his family earned nearly 10 million VND; the tea tree has been harvested, after 2 times of cutting and selling, he earned 4 million VND. He also took advantage of the land fund adjacent to the garden to invest in pig farming, earning 150 million VND each year. Currently, his family's garden is growing well, with a survival rate of over 95%.

Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center Tran Thanh Hai said: The agroforestry model is a sustainable development direction. In particular, this model allows "taking short-term to support long-term". Short-term crops such as melons, peanuts, beans or medicinal plants bring quick income in the first years, helping farmers cover costs and stabilize their lives. At the same time, long-term fruit trees and industrial crops have time to grow and develop.

Thanh Hoa

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202509/huong-di-moi-trong-phat-trien-kinh-te-o-vung-go-doi-1985585/