Yen Binh is flourishing.

With its complex terrain, uneven plains, numerous high mountains, and scattered population, Yen Binh faced numerous challenges. However, thanks to the concerted efforts of the local government and the effective utilization of support funds from national poverty reduction programs, the region has been steadily improving.

Báo Thái Nguyên•11/04/2026

The organic tea production model of Ban Moc Agricultural Cooperative (Yen Binh commune) yields high economic efficiency.

The organic tea production model of Ban Moc Agricultural Cooperative (Yen Binh commune) yields high economic efficiency. Photo: Provided.

A vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere permeated the entire area of Yen Binh commune, from homes to streets. We felt this when we witnessed plows replacing oxen in the fields; motorized vehicles transporting materials to construction sites, replacing human labor; and large areas of wood drying, emitting the pungent smell of the mountains and forests. In the villages, many new, spacious houses were being built. Then there was the cashless buying and selling activity at the commune's central market... All of this created a colorful and lively economic landscape.

Yen Binh commune has 20 villages, over 1,500 households, and nearly 6,700 inhabitants. By 2025, the average income is expected to reach nearly 43 million VND per person. The number of poor and near-poor households is expected to decrease rapidly; by the end of 2025, the commune will have only 195 poor households and 350 near-poor households. The number of poor households alone will decrease by 271 compared to 2020.

Sharing with us, Mr. Tran Ha Nam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Binh commune, said: Agriculture and forestry are identified as the economic pillars of Yen Binh commune. To achieve the set targets, the commune directs and guides people to convert low-yield rice fields to cultivate crops with higher economic value. Along with that, the commune promotes the application of science and technology, uses high-quality crop varieties, and produces according to VietGAP standards.

The entire commune has a total rice cultivation area of nearly 513 hectares throughout the year. Thanks to the active participation of farmers in training courses on scientific and technical transfer and their proactive application of this knowledge to their family's cultivated land, yields have been high. Along with rice, corn cultivation is also being developed, covering 328 hectares with a yield of 40 quintals/hectare, resulting in a total grain production of over 4,288 tons per year. Average grain production is 630 kg per person per year.

Besides food crops, the people of Yen Binh also earn income from 41 hectares of tobacco, 60 hectares of vegetables, beans, peanuts, and tea. Speaking with us, Mr. Ma Van Thong from Ban Moc village said: "From 4 hectares of tea plantations, my family earns nearly 800 million VND per year."

Officials from the Social Policy Bank of Thai Nguyen province guide poor and near-poor households in Yen Binh commune on accessing preferential loans for production development.

In early April, the rainy season arrived, making the forests appear even greener. Looking at his family's cinnamon forest, Mr. Nguyen Van Duy from Ban Tam village proudly said: "When the local authorities encouraged reforestation, my family participated in planting 6 hectares of cinnamon. For the past three years, the cinnamon forest has brought my family 70 million VND per year." Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khoi from Thom Bo village added: "From 4.5 hectares of anise forest, my family earns an additional 120 million VND per year." Through our conversation, we learned that in the last five years, the people of Yen Binh commune have planted nearly 1,000 hectares of new forest, with the main tree species being cinnamon, anise, acacia, and pine.

In 2025 alone, the people in the commune planted new trees and replanted after harvesting 75 hectares. The annual timber harvest reached 3,100 cubic meters, cinnamon reached 150 tons, and star anise reached 180 tons. Thanks to forest-based economic activities, many households have achieved more stable lives. Notably, in Yen Binh commune, programs and projects supporting production development linked to forest protection have been implemented effectively. The entire commune has over 1,075 hectares of forest under contracted protection; over 127 hectares of star anise are being intensively cultivated to increase productivity with the participation of 176 households. These models have created sustainable livelihoods, helping people to become more attached to the forest.

By participating in the goat farming model, the family of Ms. Ma Thi Diu, in Phieng Duong village (Yen Binh commune), has escaped poverty.

By participating in a goat farming model, the family of Ms. Ma Thi Diu, in Phieng Duong village (Yen Binh commune), has escaped poverty. Photo: Provided.

The commune's policy of diversifying livelihoods has encouraged people to "think deeply" in developing their family economies. This is especially true with timely support from appropriately implemented livestock projects. In 2025, the commune implemented projects such as: raising broiler chickens with 25 participating households; raising commercial goats with 28 participating households; and a community production development support project that assisted 152 households with a total of 230 livestock, including 44 buffaloes, 93 cows, and 93 pigs. Also in 2025, the commune's output of buffalo, beef, and horse meat for sale reached 180 tons; the output of live pig meat for sale reached 160 tons; and the output of live poultry meat for sale reached 90 tons...

One of the key "leverages" in poverty reduction efforts in Yen Binh commune is the provision of policy-based credit to people when needed. In 2025, loan disbursements reached over 24 billion VND, with 412 borrowing households; the total outstanding debt exceeded 95 billion VND. This capital has helped many poor households invest in production and gradually escape poverty.

With investment in production and mastery of science and technology, the economic mindset of the people has shifted towards commodity production to meet market demands. Therefore, there is a strong bond among production households, working together to ensure product outlets. To date, there are 6 cooperatives in the area with hundreds of member households and satellite linked households. No longer relying on others, from production to product distribution, farmers are now proactive, shaping a new generation of farmers that is making Yen Binh commune a thriving area.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202604/khoi-sac-yen-binh-6bf1ca7/