Sweet fruits of the border gateway

Chi Lang district currently has an estimated custard apple growing area of ​​nearly 2,700 hectares, a fruiting area of ​​about 2,300 hectares, a yield of 104 quintals/hectare, an output of 23,900 tons, and an estimated revenue of more than 800 billion VND; the added value of off-season custard apple production alone is estimated at more than 50 billion VND.

Chi Lang has proactively shifted from a purely agricultural production mindset to an agricultural economy , valuing market factors and added value. Many cooperatives, cooperative groups, and enterprises have been formed and participated in stable consumption chains, with clear contracts with supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, and export markets such as China, Laos, and Cambodia.

Not only focusing on custard apple trees, Chi Lang district boldly expanded the value chain model to many other agricultural products such as (peach, star anise, chili, potato, peanut ...), raising white horses, goats, rabbits ... and other livestock and poultry. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, the whole district had 38 agricultural cooperatives with effectively operating linkage chains, of which some products achieved 3-star and 4-star OCOP such as Lien Son tea buds, Bang Mac fragrant sticky rice, Lua Vy guava tea, Mai Sao meat ... have been introduced and sold to the market nationwide. Along with applying digital technology, the district encourages cooperatives to apply traceability, QR code stamps, and connect consumption through e-commerce platforms such as Postmart, Voso, Shopee ... Thanks to that, the value of agricultural products increased by 15-30% compared to traditional retail.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chi Lang district, Luong Thanh Chung, said: The district identifies that developing agriculture according to the value chain is a long-term direction, with farmers as the center and businesses as the driving force. The goal by 2030 is for Chi Lang to form a specialized area for high-quality agricultural products associated with agricultural tourism and digital transformation. According to the leader of the People's Committee of Chi Lang district, the locality focuses on organizing production according to the value chain, ensuring stability, sustainability and increasing income for people.

When implementing this model, participating households are transferred techniques for growing and caring for star anise trees to help improve productivity, quality, and value of the product. Data up to the end of 2024 shows that the entire district has granted certificates for star anise production according to organic standards, reaching 581.58 hectares. Thanks to stable output and support for processing and packaging, local dried star anise products have been exported to a number of foreign markets. Chi Lang custard apple, a prominent local agricultural product, has been recognized as meeting the provincial 4-star OCOP standard.

Not only with crops, Chi Lang district also promotes livestock development according to the value chain. In Van An commune, the white horse breeding model linked with the scale of 18 households has helped people increase their income two to three times compared to before. To support households, the district has had policies to support the construction of barns, provide breeding animals and transfer technology, and at the same time connect with businesses to consume output...

Comrade Long Van Nhan, Standing Deputy Secretary of Chi Lang District Party Committee, said: Building agricultural value chains is a necessary step, contributing to concretizing the resolution of the Provincial and District Party Congresses. In particular, the district identifies this as a key, long-term task, requiring perseverance, consensus and close coordination among relevant parties. With the right direction and synchronous participation from the government, people and businesses, Chi Lang district is gradually affirming its position as a high-tech agricultural center of Lang Son and the midland and mountainous region of the North.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/trai-ngot-mien-cua-ngo-bien-gioi-post881965.html