Green agriculture lays foundation for sustainable new rural development

Developing agriculture in a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly direction is generating positive changes in rural economic life across the province. The formation of key crop-growing areas that meet high-quality standards has not only helped raise farmers’ incomes but also provided a solid foundation for localities to fulfill and advance sustainable new rural development criteria.

Farmers in Xin Man Commune tend to clean vegetable areas linked to organic production.

The province currently has nearly 5,700 hectares of crops certified under safe and sustainable production standards. Of this total, more than 3,200 hectares meet VietGAP standards, 1,561 hectares are certified organic, nearly 915 hectares comply with Rainforest Alliance standards, and 8 hectares meet GlobalGAP - the most stringent benchmark in safe agricultural production. In addition, nearly 2,000 hectares have been granted 149 planting area codes, including 25 eligible for export to China and European markets. These figures underscore efforts to enhance product quality, build brands and secure stable consumption markets.

Alongside expanding certified cultivation areas, the province is restructuring crop varieties toward higher quality, while preserving and developing advantageous indigenous varieties such as Shan Tuyet tea, Sanh oranges and specialty pomelos. The application of drip irrigation systems, greenhouse production and traceability labeling is being expanded to better control product quality and protect the environment. Green agriculture is being developed along value chains linked to stable markets, particularly for key export products such as tea and pomelo.

At the grassroots level, several effective production models have emerged. In Hung Tam Hamlet, Hung An Commune, farmers have shifted from low-yield crops to organic fruit cultivation, including pomelo, guava, jujube and longan, generating stable incomes, with some households earning over VND 100 million annually. Yen Phu Commune has established 60 hectares of VietGAP-certified red dragon fruit, providing households with annual incomes exceeding VND 50 million.

In Xin Man Commune, nearly 3 hectares of clean vegetables are produced under safe processes, harvested in four crops per year and sold through cooperative linkages, ensuring stable livelihoods while contributing to environmental protection.

These outcomes demonstrate that green agriculture is not merely about technical standards but represents a sustainable development orientation balancing economic growth, environmental protection and social progress. By organizing production along value chains, strengthening branding and applying technology, the province is steadily enhancing added value and building a firm foundation for long-term, sustainable rural development.

Hong Nhung