Muong Hum: Forming a commodity production area, improving sustainable livelihoods

Taking advantage of the land and climate of the highlands, Muong Hum commune has focused on planning production in the direction of specialization, forming key crop and livestock areas. The development of commodity production areas not only creates a breakthrough in transforming the rural economic structure, but also gradually increases income and improves the lives of people after the merger.

Báo Lào Cai•21/07/2025

The family of Ms. Ly Gi Su, Kin Chu Phin 2 village is one of the typical households in crop conversion in the locality. Previously, the family's upland area was mainly planted with corn and soybeans, with unstable income and difficult life. When the commune supported VH6 pear varieties and technical guidance, Ms. Su boldly converted to planting 100 pear trees on the corn land.

Ms. Su shared: “At first, I was worried because pear is a perennial tree, a new variety, I was afraid that it would be a waste of time to plant and I didn’t know if it would bear fruit. But after the staff guided me on how to plant, prune, and fertilize, I felt secure and was successful. Currently, my family earns over 70 million VND each year from growing pears. This year, I planted 150 more pear trees on the remaining cornfield to increase my income.”

Ms. Su's story is a testament to the effectiveness of appropriate crop conversion. From a few households doing it first, pear trees have now become one of the main crops of the commune. The total pear growing area in the area is over 174 hectares, the area currently being harvested is over 80 hectares, each hectare of pears brings in an income of about 300 - 400 million VND/year. VH6 Muong Hum pear products have been recognized as achieving 3-star OCOP, and are increasingly known by customers inside and outside the province.

Besides fruit trees, tea trees are also identified by the locality as a key crop in the orientation of developing commodity agriculture . Currently, the whole commune has 112 hectares of tea being harvested, of which 92 hectares are densely planted, ensuring density.

Tea is grown in large quantities in Muong Hum village and some areas with suitable altitude and cool climate. In the first 6 months of the year, the output of fresh tea buds reached over 305 tons, equal to nearly 47% of the yearly plan. The purchase price ranges from 8,000 VND/kg (Shan Tuyet variety) to 15,000 VND/kg (Bat Tien variety).

Mr. Luong Ba Lap, Secretary of the Muong Hum village Party Cell, shared: "Tea planting according to clean, organic processes and proper harvesting techniques is being implemented, thanks to which tea productivity has increased, selling prices have increased, and people are assured of production."

In addition to the two main crops of pear and tea, the commune has also developed a medicinal plant growing area with a total area of 21.5 hectares, including tea vine and sweet grass. All medicinal products are sold by the associated unit at stable prices, bringing high income to farmers, many households have plans to expand the medicinal plant growing area in the coming year. The commodity production areas in Muong Hum are increasingly clearly formed, facilitating the work of directing, providing technical support and purchasing products.

Along with that, Muong Hum commune also focuses on developing livestock with a total herd of over 2,260 large cattle and over 16,400 poultry. Since the beginning of the year, the total output of fresh meat of all kinds has reached more than 50% of the plan. The model of cold-water fish farming on a household scale continues to be maintained with over 3 hectares, 36 households participating in farming, cold-water fish output reaching over 200 tons/year, bringing a good income to the people.