Replacing less productive crops with herbal medicines has proven to be an effective direction for many localities in Hoa Binh province.
In 2018, the Big Farm herbal cooperative leased 10 ha of mixed garden land from farmers in Men village, Yen Hoa commune (Da Bac district) to start growing several types of herbal plants.
Yen Tri commune in Yen Thuy district is one of the "bright spots" in herbal medicine development. Chairman of the communal People’s Committee Bui Phi Diep said that when embarking on the new-style rural area building scheme, the first challenge for the local authorities was how to increase the income for local residents. He added that the orientation of switching to herbal medicine cultivation on areas of less productive crops and mixed gardens aimed for this goal.
To achieve the highest effectiveness, the local authority selected high-value herbal plants and precious indigenous medicinal plants, and encourages residents to cultivate these as replacements. At the same time, it has proposed the district collaborate with herbal medicine centres and pharmaceutical companies to develop a production linkage model.
Cultivating medicinal plants generates economic value approximately three times higher than rice cultivation, helping to improve the incomes of many households in Yen Tri. The area dedicated to herbal plant cultivation in the commune has expanded to about 35 ha, attracting 45 households in the Yen Tri Agricultural Cooperative, and 100 other households to join.
Besides Yen Tri, the cultivation and development of medicinal plants have been implemented in many localities. So far, Hoa Binh has approximately 2,350 ha of medicinal plants, including 197.6 ha where the plants are intercropped on forest land.
Some of the main medicinal plants including lemongrass, solanum procumbens, and celastrus hindsii, with yearly average outputs of 11,000 tonnes, 1,200 tonnes and 1,620 tonnes, respectively. Additionally, there are various naturally harvested medicinal plants, such as cordyceps, passionflower, Paris polyphylla smith, and anoectochilus.
In recent years, the provincial authorities have issued many mechanisms and policies to encourage investment in planting and processing of medicinal plants. Projects and socio-economic development programmes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas and the "One Commune, One Product" programme have helped promote and encourage economic sectors to invest in the cultivation and and processing of medicinal plants.
Currently, the province has 13 facilities and enterprises engaged in the purchasing and preliminary processing of medicinal plants, along with 10 small-scale processing establishments run by enterprises and households. These efforts have initially created stable outlets for medicinal plants in the province.
According to the leadership of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the coming time, based on natural conditions, market demand, economic value, and export potential, the locality will develop a list of prioritised medicinal plants for development. Additionally, it will establish mechanisms, policies, and support plans for the cultivation, development, and harvesting of medicinal plants in special-use forests, protective forests, and production forests; as well as renting land for medicinal plant development; in line with forest management regulations and the provisions of the Land Law in 2024.
Lac Thuy district of Hoa Binh has recognised the importance of handicrafts and rural industries in the agricultural economy, contributing to improved living standards and poverty reduction. Sustainable growth in these industries has facilitated the restructuring of agricultural production and labour, moving towards industrialisation and modernisation.
Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung chaired a meeting in Hanoi on December 23 to assess a proposal on recognising Hoa Binh city as a tier-2 urban area under Hoa Binh province. Attending the event was Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Chuong, Secretary of the Hoa Binh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Thang, as well as leaders from various departments and the Hoa Binh City People's Committee.
Agricultural production based on value chains is recognised as a sustainable approach that improves production efficiency and raises farmers' and businesses' incomes. Many enterprises and agricultural cooperatives in Hoa Binh have applied high-tech methods to production, linking their efforts to building value chains for their products.
In mid-December, the landscapes of many neighbourhoods and villages in Tan Lac district come alive with vibrant colours and bustling activity as pomelo orchards enter peak harvest season.
The provincial Cooperative Union (CPU) has just organized a conference to promote supply and demand outside the province and display the typical cooperative products of Hoa Binh province in Hanoi. There was the attendance of the leaders from the departments, branches, the provincial CPU, and the representatives of the cooperatives from 10 districts and the city. There was also the attendance of Hanoi city’s representatives of the city CPU and 22 enterprises and cooperatives in Hanoi.
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.
