Proper land use will lead to sustainable livelihoods.

From fragmented plots of land, the story of livelihoods in Da Teh 3 commune is being rewritten with a long-term perspective on land, crops, and the sustainable value of agricultural production.

Strawberry gardens are shaping a new production rhythm in Da Teh 3 commune.

From neglected gardens to new livelihoods

This reality is most clearly demonstrated in specific models where farmers adjust their methods to adapt to natural conditions and market demands. In Hamlet 4, with 111 households and 458 inhabitants, mulberry cultivation is becoming a livelihood choice for 63 households. On average, each household achieves a yield of about 1.5 tons of cocoons per year, creating a stable income suitable for local production conditions. Among them, Mr. Nguyen Van Som's mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming model is considered a prime example of the shift from mixed orchards and low-yield crops to crops with high economic value.

Having been involved with mulberry cultivation for over 16-17 years, Mr. Som previously mainly grew the Tam Boi mulberry variety. In 2022, he boldly switched to new varieties such as TN9, TN5, TN2… which have the advantage of larger, thicker leaves and higher yields; he also invested in an automatic sprinkler irrigation system to ensure a reliable water supply and reduce labor costs.

Currently, Mr. Som's mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing model is one of the models selected for testing in the research project "Selection and Development of Suitable Mulberry and Silkworm Varieties for the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Regions," implemented by the Lam Dong Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Research Center, Central Highlands Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology Institute. Mr. Som shared that, on average, each silkworm batch yields 1-2 quintals of cocoons after about 15 days, with a selling price ranging from 140,000 to 170,000 VND/kg. After deducting expenses, his family's income reaches approximately 200-300 million VND per year.

“Raising silkworms requires consistency and discipline in every step. Raising silkworms requires close monitoring every day, from feeding them leaves to setting up the frames, but once you get used to it, it becomes a routine and not too strenuous. The most important thing is maintaining a stable production rhythm to ensure a steady market for the product, instead of the fragmented farming we did before,” Mr. Som said.

Increase the value of agricultural land.

On a commune-wide scale, agriculture continues to be the main sector, with a total cultivated area of ​​approximately 5,940 hectares in 2025. Of this, perennial industrial crops account for over 5,574 hectares, clearly reflecting the trend of concentrated production on high-value crops. Specifically this year, the commune converted 104 hectares of mixed orchards to crops suitable for the soil conditions, such as durian, coffee, and mulberry, gradually improving land use efficiency and income for the people.

Along with restructuring crop patterns, the locality has promoted standardized production, with nearly 52 hectares applying VietGAP; at the same time, it has completed the issuance of 9 planting area codes for 353 hectares of durian, creating favorable conditions for domestic consumption and aiming for export. The average product value per unit area reached approximately 125 million VND/ha, and the average per capita income is estimated at 65 million VND/year, showing the clear impact of reorganizing mixed orchards, selecting suitable crops, and investing in a systematic way.

According to Mr. Vu Ngoc Lam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Teh 3 commune, the conversion was implemented based on reviewing the production land fund, selecting suitable crops, and encouraging people to invest in a systematic way. Models of mulberry, durian, and coffee cultivation have shown a significant improvement in production value per unit area, creating more confidence for the locality to continue expanding selective conversion, aiming to stabilize livelihoods for the people in the future.

“People will feel secure and committed to long-term production when they clearly see the path they are taking and believe in the value of that choice. When land is used properly and production has a stable rhythm, livelihoods will be sustainable and rural life will naturally move in a positive direction. From today's gardens, a more orderly and efficient agricultural system is gradually taking shape, creating a foundation for Da Teh 3's long-term development from its own internal strength,” Mr. Vu Ngoc Lam emphasized.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/su-dung-dat-dung-cach-sinh-ke-se-ben-vung-422241.html