From barren hills to fruitful orchards

What were once hillsides planted mainly with maize and cassava, yielding modest economic returns, are now flourishing plum orchards in Suoi Thau 1 Village, Hoang Su Phi Commune. The transformation has been driven by the pioneering efforts of village Party Cell Secretary Ly Ngoc Thanh, who has helped open a new path toward sustainable livelihoods for local people.

Born and raised in the mountainous community, Thanh has long sought effective ways to improve local incomes. In 2021, after visiting a successful plum-growing model in Coc Pai, now part of Pa Vay Su Commune, he recognized that the blood plum variety was well suited to the climate and soil conditions of his hometown. He decided to introduce the crop on a trial basis.

Ly Ngoc Thanh shares his experience in developing the blood plum cultivation model with local people.

Starting with just 50 plum trees on former mixed-crop land, Thanh persevered through the challenges of limited technical knowledge and cultivation experience. Through continuous learning and practical experimentation, he gradually mastered the necessary techniques. Five years later, his orchard has expanded to 2.5 hectares, producing between three and four tonnes of fruit annually and generating revenues exceeding VND 300 million (approximately USD 11,500) per year.

Beyond improving his family's livelihood, Thanh has actively encouraged fellow Party members and villagers to adopt the model. Today, all six Party members in the village have established their own economic development projects, while 15 of the village’s 42 households have switched to blood plum cultivation. As a result, several families have achieved stable incomes, with three households already escaping poverty and two more expected to do so by the end of 2026.

To strengthen market access for local agricultural products, Thanh and other community members established the Ngoc Thanh Agricultural Processing and General Services Cooperative. The cooperative purchases and markets local produce, helping farmers secure stable outlets for their products. Each year, it collects around 80 tonnes of Dui rice and between five and ten tonnes of Golden Flower glutinous rice, both recognized as three-star OCOP products at the provincial level.

Thanh’s contributions to poverty reduction, job creation, and rural economic development have earned widespread recognition. In 2023, he received a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for his effective production model and his efforts to support local farmers. Today, the blood plum cultivation model continues to spread across Suoi Thau 1, offering new opportunities for sustainable economic growth in one of the region’s most challenging highland areas.

Nhu Quynh