Vegetable capital on the rocky plateau

TUYEN QUANG - Every year, the harsh Quan Ba ​​region brings to the market more than 7,000 tons of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, achieving a total value of over 100 billion VND, contributing to raising the income of the local people.

Shift your mindset towards commodity production.

Quan Ba ​​( Tuyen Quang ) is famous as the "capital" of commercial vegetables and flowers. On the harsh Dong Van rocky plateau, the people have consolidated land and formed a high-income commercial vegetable production area.

Quan Ba ​​commune was reorganized by merging Quyet Tien commune, Quan Ba ​​commune, and Tam Son town (formerly part of Quan Ba ​​district, Ha Giang province), with a total natural area of ​​over 100 km². The cool climate year-round, with an average temperature of 18-22 degrees Celsius, numerous flat valleys, and thick, loose topsoil are rare conditions in this rocky plateau region, creating a natural advantage for short-term vegetables and cold-loving flowers. Taking advantage of this, Quan Ba ​​consistently supplies vegetables to the province, reaching wholesale markets in the capital and several supermarket chains in northern provinces.

Cabbage fields are thriving and lush in Quan Ba ​​commune (Tuyen Quang province). Photo: Tu Thanh.

The total annual cultivated area in Quan Ba ​​is currently about 5,276 hectares, with an average production value of approximately 72 million VND/hectare. The entire commune has about 700 hectares of land dedicated to vegetable cultivation, of which over 250 hectares are specialized in various vegetables (cabbage, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.) and more than 20 hectares are for roses. Each hectare of vegetables and flowers here brings farmers between 200 and 250 million VND per year, many times more than traditional corn or rice crops.

Vegetables grow evenly, with dense foliage. Carefully cultivated cabbages are tightly packed, heavy, and less susceptible to pests and diseases. Numerous integrated vegetable production models have been implemented, intensive farming techniques have been disseminated, and planting schedules have been adjusted to market demand. As a result, Quan Ba ​​annually supplies the market with over 7,000 tons of vegetables and fruits, and millions of roses, totaling over 100 billion VND. Vegetable and flower production has contributed to raising the average per capita income of the commune (estimated in 2025) to approximately 48.6 million VND, an increase of 20.3 million VND compared to 2020.

In Quan Ba, for many households, vegetables are a seasonal "savings" fund. Thanks to the dedicated guidance of agricultural extension officers from land preparation, seed selection, fertilization, pest control to harvesting, the vegetable crops of most households are thriving and of uniform quality. The consumption process has also improved, with businesses coming directly to the fields to purchase the produce, reducing intermediary costs and the risk of market congestion. Farmers are no longer dependent on traders.

The vegetable beds are covered with plastic sheeting to retain moisture and limit weed growth. Photo: Tú Thành.

Ms. Tran Thi May from Bo Lach village, Quan Ba ​​commune, said: “Along with other households in the village, my family prepares the land, sows seeds, and cares for the cabbage according to the instructions of agricultural extension officers. Thanks to favorable climatic conditions, the cabbage is of good quality and appearance, weighing from 1.5 to 3 kg per head. Last year, with favorable weather, my family earned tens of millions of dong from one cabbage crop, and our total annual income was over 50 million dong.”

But agriculture isn't always about favorable numbers. This year, there have been prolonged cold rains, thunderstorms, and successive floods. When I visited, Mrs. May was busy tending to her freshly cut cabbages, her face haggard because the weather hadn't been good for this year's vegetable crop.

“This year, my family lost a lot. The heavy rains prevented us from harvesting in time, and the vegetables were ruined right in the fields. Normally, my family grows three crops of vegetables each year. At the beginning of the year, I planted nearly 7,000 cabbage plants, hoping to recoup expenses and save for my children. But in April, the heavy rains and flooding destroyed thousands of plants. My family also planted cucumbers and tomatoes, but the price of tomatoes was low, and we didn't sell much,” Mrs. May said sadly.

Freshly harvested cabbage from the family of Mrs. Tran Thi May (Bo Lach village, Quan Ba ​​commune, Tuyen Quang province). Photo: Tu Thanh.

Mrs. May's story is not uncommon among farmers in Quan Ba. Despite being located in an area with advantages, advanced techniques, and established distribution channels, growers still face hardship when natural disasters strike. The constant worry about unseasonal rains, flash floods, and plummeting agricultural prices during peak seasons is ever-present.

Natural disasters are unpredictable and unavoidable, but what's encouraging in Quan Ba ​​is the change in mindset among the people. Beyond meeting daily needs, they've shifted their focus to commercial farming, forming groups, managing prices, and maintaining consistent quality. As a result, vegetables and flowers have become the main products of the commune.

Growing vegetables and flowers in conjunction with experiential tourism.

The development of the Quan Ba ​​vegetable growing area in recent years is primarily a story of crop restructuring. From low-yield corn fields, the commune encouraged people to switch to higher-value crops based on microclimate conditions and market demand. As a result, over 346 hectares have been converted, including 36.2 hectares completely converted and 310 hectares converted seasonally. Off-season vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, squash, and cabbage are suitable for the local soil and climate conditions, and avoid the problem of bumper harvests leading to price drops through flexible planting schedules.

According to Mr. Vang Minh Chuong, Head of the Economic Department of Quan Ba ​​Commune, the commune has issued a plan for developing circular agriculture. The immediate focus is on reviewing production-consumption linkage models, especially in the former Quyet Tien area - where key vegetable production models are concentrated. "Based on existing models, we will assess the advantages and disadvantages, promote strengths, and overcome weaknesses to implement comprehensive solutions for developing specialized vegetable production areas linked to consumption," Mr. Chuong said.

In the coming period, Quan Ba ​​commune will focus on developing circular agriculture, planning concentrated vegetable growing areas, with each village having 1-2 purchasing points, and linking production with experiential tourism. Photo: Tu Thanh.

Regarding distribution, each village designates 1-2 households to act as purchasing agents for the villagers. Through these agents, businesses will obtain information on crop seasons and production volumes not only within the commune but also in other localities, thereby stabilizing prices, increasing product value, and avoiding risks associated with large investments facing price drops. The general orientation is production oriented towards market demand and market signals.

Simultaneously, the commune is planning and expanding concentrated vegetable production areas, applying science and technology, maintaining and developing production-consumption linkages, and linking vegetable and flower cultivation with experiential tourism to increase services and output. "We are also improving quality, building brands for each product and each production unit, and forming identification labels to manage the growing areas. The goal is to produce large quantities, in a concentrated manner, ensuring quality and brand recognition for Quan Ba ​​vegetables," Mr. Chuong added.

The Resolution of the Quan Ba ​​Commune Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term clearly defines the goal of converting an additional 200 hectares of low-yield crops to high-value crops (30 hectares of monoculture, 170 hectares of seasonal conversion); and increasing product value to 80 million VND/hectare or more. One of the three breakthroughs is developing a circular economy in agriculture linked with the application of science and technology and expanding product consumption linkages.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/thu-phu-rau-tren-cao-nguyen-da-d779061.html