Si Lo Lau Commune: Farming to adapt to climate change

Si Lo Lau is a highland commune with complex mountainous terrain, steep slopes, harsh climate, and is often affected by heavy rains and landslides. In recent years, unusual natural disasters have had a strong impact on people's lives and production. Prolonged rains, flash floods, and landslides not only cause damage to crops but also increase the risk of pests and diseases, affecting the agricultural production plan of the whole commune.

Faced with that situation, the commune government has focused on directing the implementation of many adaptive solutions. The commune has stepped up propaganda so that people can proactively prevent natural disasters, choose appropriate farming times; prioritize crops suitable for mountainous conditions, with less risk in the rainy season such as taro, cassava, medicinal plants and perennial fruit trees.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh - Vice Chairman of Si Lo Lau Commune People's Committee shared: "We identify that responding to climate change is not only a temporary measure but also a long-term development direction. The commune focuses on propagating to people to change their production mindset, gradually switching to highly adaptable crops, both ensuring economic efficiency and protecting the land and ecological environment. In addition, the commune organizes to review and delimit areas with high risk of landslides, not allowing people to cultivate or stay in unsafe places during the rainy season; provide technical support for pest control and coordinate with specialized units to deploy safe and sustainable production models, adapting to increasingly extreme climate conditions."

People of Si Lo Lau commune take care of taro plants.

Currently, Si Lo Lau commune has been implementing 4 agricultural models adapting to climate change including: taro: 35.22ha (147 households participating); cassava: 160ha (317 households participating); fruit trees: 127.4ha; medicinal plants: 378.91ha. These models have received positive responses from people because they bring clear results. Compared to before, crop productivity increased by 10 - 25%, profits increased by an average of 30 - 50%, helping each household increase their income by 10 - 25 million VND/year depending on the type of plant.

Mr. Ly Phu Dieu in Nhom 2 village said: “Previously, my family only grew corn and low-yield upland rice, and rain would affect productivity and quality. Since switching to growing taro under the guidance of commune officials, productivity has been higher and output has been stable. Income has increased by about 20 million VND each year, and people's lives have improved. In addition, the commune also supports seeds, fertilizers and technical training, so farming is more convenient. I hope that in the future, the locality will continue to have many new models to help people stabilize their lives and escape poverty."

Not only improving income, the models also help diversify livelihoods, reduce dependence on one type of crop, contribute to stabilizing production and protecting the ecological environment. The use of drought-resistant varieties, applying water-saving farming techniques, reducing chemicals and increasing soil fertility have helped the commune gradually form a sustainable agricultural production area.

Mr. Tan Sai Song in La Nhi Thang village shared more: "Commune and provincial officials guide people to grow medicinal plants such as Lai Chau ginseng, orchids... which are easy to care for and suitable for the soil. My family grows Lai Chau ginseng and medicinal plants on an area of 2.2 hectares; at the end of 2024, I will continue to grow 17 hectares of sugarcane. Last year, from selling tubers, flowers, leaves and seeds of Lai Chau ginseng, we earned about 200 million VND, much higher than growing corn. Sugarcane is starting to be harvested, expected to be about 2,000 tons. During the planting process, we were also trained in planting and care techniques, so we are very confident."

The rate of households applying technical advances and participating in cooperatives and cooperative groups is increasing, creating a foundation for building an effective production and consumption chain of agricultural products. Many households have boldly invested in expanding the area of medicinal plants and fruit trees, aiming at production according to safe and environmentally friendly standards.

People of Si Lo Lau commune grow ginseng under the forest canopy.

According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh - Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, "Si Lo Lau Commune identifies the development of a farming model adapted to climate change as a key task in agricultural development in the coming time. The commune plans to expand the area of key crops such as taro, cassava, and medicinal plants by 1.5 - 2 times compared to present; at the same time, deploy additional models of intensive rice cultivation, sugarcane, peanuts, and tea in a linked direction (expected to expand about 200 hectares of rice, 500 hectares of peanuts, and 50 hectares of tea). At the same time, the commune continues to organize training courses and propaganda to raise people's awareness of the impacts of climate change, water-saving farming techniques, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting land and water resources. The commune also encourages the establishment of new-style cooperatives and cooperative groups to link production and product consumption, towards green - clean - sustainable agriculture, contributing to improving people's lives and building a green - clean - sustainable agriculture, contributing to improving people's lives and building a green - clean - sustainable agriculture. building new rural areas in the highlands. Si Lo Lau commune is making every effort so that each household not only adapts but also proactively lives with climate change, considering it an opportunity to innovate production methods and develop sustainable agriculture.

Terraced fields in the border commune of Si Lo Lau

With creative and practical approaches, Si Lo Lau commune is affirming the right direction in agricultural development adapting to climate change, making an important contribution to the sustainable development goals of the locality and Lai Chau province.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/kinh-te/xa-si-lo-lau-canh-tac-thich-ung-voi-bien-doi-khi-hau-993163