In recent years, ethnic minority households in the province have embraced forestry and livestock farming as key drivers of income generation. By harnessing the economic potential of forests, these communities have not only improved their livelihoods but also contributed to sustainable development.
Residents in Rang hamlet, Cao Son commune, Da Bac district raise their income thanks to afforestation.
Rang hamlet, located in Cao Son commune, Da Bac district, is home to the Dao and Muong ethnic groups. Nestled in a picturesque valley by the Rang Stream and surrounded by lush hills of acacia and Bodhi trees, the village boasts over 200 hectares of production forest. For generations, locals' livelihoods have been intricately tied to the forest.
Dinh Van Son, a resident of Xom Rang, manages over three hectares of forest, primarily acacia. Before the forest was allocated to them, it was covered with bamboo and shrubs, Son recalled. Since receiving the land, they’ve planted multiple cycles of acacia, each generating an income of over 100 million VND (approximately 3,928 USD) after five years.
In addition to acacia cultivation, Son raises buffaloes, grazing them on the hills during the day and sheltering them in the barn at night. "Forestry has provided us with a stable income,” he added.
Similarly, Luong Van Hau, also in Rang hamlet, has secured his family’s financial stability through forestry. With over three hectares of land, his family initially planted acacia on a short 4–5-year cycle. Recently, he extended the cycle to seven years to enhance profitability.
"Acacia cultivation doesn’t require significant investment,” Hau explained. "Each hectare yields about 70 million VND. During the waiting period, we supplement our income by raising livestock and harvesting branches for firewood.”
According to Ngo Van Cuong, Secretary of the Party Secretary of Cao Son commune, residents in other villages are also expanding forestry activities, focusing on planting large timber trees for greater economic returns. "There is a local facility for purchasing and processing raw wood, making it convenient for people to develop forestry-based economies,” Cuong noted.
In Thach Yen commune, Cao Phong district, many households are combining forestry with livestock farming, yielding stable incomes. One such example is Bui Van Chien’s family in Bo hamlet, who earn over 100 million VND annually by raising 10 buffaloes and cows and cultivating three hectares of acacia forest.
Since the beginning of the year, over 8,340 hectares of forests have been planted, equal to 150% of the province’s target, alongside 947,000 scattered trees. With a forest coverage rate exceeding 51.6%, these forests are regarded as the province’s vital "green lungs.”
To further support sustainable forestry development, provincial authorities have implemented various policies, including initiatives to protect forests and alleviate poverty among ethnic minority communities during 2015–2020. Currently, the Hoa Binh forest protection and development project is underway, with a total investment exceeding 127 billion VND.
The Cao Phong orange has emerged as a shining example of sustainable agricultural development in Hoa Binh province, distinguished as the first and only locally produced agricultural product to receive a geographical indication certification. Renowned for its thin skin, juicy flesh, and delicate sweet flavour, the fruit has won the heart of consumers for years. Local farmers have made their efforts to cultivate environmentally friendly and consumer-safe products, creating a stable and sustainable brand identity.
Da Bac district is striving to complete land clearance for the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project in the first quarter of next year. As of the end of November, the district handed over land for just 3 km of the road, from km 24+500 to km 27+500 in Cao Son commune.
Participating in the "Week introducing the products of Hoa Binh Province in 2024” recently held in Hanoi, the product introducing booth of Mo Duc Organic Agricultural Cooperative (Nhan Nghia Commune, Lac Son District) attracted consumers' attention. In addition to the district's outstanding OCOP products, the Cooperative proudly introduced the fresh products made from snails such as snail sausage stuffed with snail shells, and snail sausage stuffed with bamboo tubes... Many diners were particularly impressed with these products, so they not only shopped right at the booth but also contacted to order in large quantities.
Black chicken farming model has changed the lives of vulnerable families in Mong Hoa commune of Hoa Binh city.
Commercial eel products of the Thanh Cong Agro-forestry and General Trading Co. Ltd., based in Doan Ket Commune, Yen Thuy District, were certified as a 3-star One Commune One Product (OCOP) item last year. This recognition has secured the company’s position in the market and marked a new economic development direction for the locality.
Recently, the Standing Committee of Cao Phong District’s Youth Communist Union has actively directed the effective implementation of the models of collective economic development among youth, promoting the start-up movement among the youth, and helping each other develop the economy to get rich in their homeland.
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