New crop season - Improving the livelihoods of people in the highlands

(Chinhphu.vn) - Winter crop, the most severe cold season of the year, has long ceased to be a “following crop” after the rice season but has become one of the important strategic production crops of the Northwestern mountainous provinces. With its increasingly enhanced role, the winter crop not only helps increase land use efficiency but also creates jobs and sustainable income for people, especially ethnic minorities.

In 2025, with the initiative of the people and the strong participation of the government, many localities expect that the winter crop will help compensate for the damage caused by floods and storms, while opening up new opportunities for the development of livelihoods of people in the highlands. In particular, the conversion of ineffective rice land to high-value winter crops is becoming the main trend.

The biomass corn growing model in Phu Yen commune ( Son La ) has proven effective, helping farmers have a stable income.

Phu Yen - Typical of the linked production model​​​​​​​​

Phu Yen, a mountainous commune in Son La province, home to the Muong, Thai, and Mong ethnic groups, is entering the 2025 winter crop season with promising signs.

Sharing with the Government Electronic Newspaper , Mr. Truong Quang Hao, Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, said: "This year's winter crop has achieved outstanding results thanks to the application of technical advances and the development of concentrated production models linked to sustainable product consumption. In particular, the model of biomass corn and high-quality vegetables according to the chain is considered an effective direction."

Vegetables, especially those for the Lunar New Year and safe vegetables, still play a key role in the crop structure of the commune. Short-term vegetables such as cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, etc. continue to bring high economic value, especially when consumed at good prices. The commune's vegetable area in 2025 is estimated to reach 86 hectares of beans, 6.05 hectares of cucumbers, 2.5 hectares of potatoes, 2.5 hectares of chili and 43 hectares of biomass corn.

In particular, the biomass corn growing model has proven its effectiveness, helping farmers have a stable source of income from dairy and beef cattle farming. With an estimated profit of 35-45 million VND/ha. This model has contributed to creating a closed value chain, ensuring output and consumption of products. Many households have proactively expanded the corn growing area, especially in areas where it is difficult to grow vegetables.

"The People's Committee of Phu Yen commune has also implemented solutions to convert ineffective rice fields to high-value winter crops; at the same time, it has increased technical training and checked the quality of seeds and fertilizers. These measures aim to protect farmers' rights and encourage production along the chain, ensuring quality and stable output," said Mr. Truong Quang Hao.

In the 2025 winter crop, Thanh An commune (Dien Bien) plans to plant more than 80 hectares of sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato: " Golden dragon tree " in Thanh An

Not only Phu Yen, many other highland communes are also actively implementing the 2025 winter crop production plan.

These days, the fields in Thanh An commune, Dien Bien province, are in full swing with the new sweet potato crop. Doi Cao village, with about 80 out of 111 households growing sweet potatoes, has become a shining example of making good use of leisure time during the agricultural off-season.

Mr. Luong Quy Tuan, Village Chief, said: "The village has planted more than 23 hectares of winter crops. Sweet potatoes have a yield three times higher than rice, so people are very excited."

In Dong Bien 2 village, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong shared: "After the rice harvest, my family immediately planted 1,000 square meters of sweet potatoes. The income is much better than growing rice, and it also provides extra work after the harvest."

The local government is also actively involved. Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, Lo Van Thanh, affirmed: "The Commune People's Committee has directed the Economic Department to coordinate with the Agricultural Services Center to organize training, provide technical guidance, and control pests and diseases. We ensure that production proceeds according to schedule and plan."

This winter, Thanh An commune plans to plant over 80 hectares of sweet potatoes, with the participation of 18 villages and hamlets. The people are hoping for a high-yield harvest, providing a stable source of income.

New expectations for highland livelihoods

The 2025 winter crop season is showing significant progress in the highland communes of Northwest Vietnam. Farmers are more proactive in choosing crops and applying new techniques; the government is providing comprehensive support in terms of seeds, techniques, and marketing linkages.

Winter crops are increasingly asserting their role in increasing income, improving land use efficiency and reducing crop risks. With positive production momentum and many effective models, this year's winter crop is expected to bring a "golden season" of bumper harvests, contributing to improving the livelihoods and lives of thousands of ethnic minority farming households in the Northwest highlands.

Son Hao

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/khoi-sac-mua-vu-moi-nang-cao-sinh-ke-dong-bao-vung-cao-102251209112907382.htm