(HBO) – Despite the devastating impacts of the recent floods, farmers in Phu Luong commune, Lac Son district, the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh, have maintained agricultural production. Over the past nearly ten years, after harvesting the summer-autumn crop, locals continued with the winter crop.
Local farmers are working hard in corn fields. Such vast, green corn fields have erased the image of fields previously destroyed by downpours and floods in many localities of Hoa Binh.
"Over the past ten years, the summer-autumn crop has been followed by the winter crop, mainly corn cultivation. Local farmers also plant vegetables and bulbs like onion in winter. However, a number of fields have been let free during this crop due to impacts of the recent floods. Phu Luong now has 125ha of corn, more than 50ha of vegetables and beans, and 1.5ha of onion,” said Bui Van Au, Vice Chairman of the Phu Luong commune People’s Committee.
Bui Thi Tach from Pheo hamlet, Phu Luong commune, Lac Son district, is taking care of her family’s winter corn field
Thanks to a good water drainage system, the corn field of Bui Thi Tach’s family has not been affected by the floods. Knee-high corn plants are growing together with celery cabbage.
"Traditionally, after the summer-autumn crop, fields were let free until spring. However, over the past ten years, local farmers have cultivated the winter crop. Winter corn plants grow even better than in main crops despite initial difficulties. Unseasonal corn is sold at a higher price while providing animal feed,” Tach said.
To facilitate irrigation, local farmers have dug small cannels around fields.
"The cannels aim to discharge water in case of downpours and bring water to corn fields. Winter corn requires more care in winter. Apart from water, winter corn plants need fertilizers,” Tach added.
Next to fields of Pheo hamlet, fields of Mong hamlet are also covered with green corn plants during this winter.
Winter crop production plays an important role to Phu Luong, a remote commune with a lot of difficulties and poverty rate of over 60 percent.
"Residents of Phu Luong commune, which has been included in the Programme 135, have to face various economic difficulties. Therefore, winter crop production has brought about economic values, helping them increase income and ensure livestock feed. In the years to come, we will continue cultivating winter crops while encouraging local farmers to grow higher-value plants in order to raise income,” said Bui Van Au./.
Maximizing local potential and advantages, Yen Tri commune in Yen Thuy district is actively promoting the cultivation of medicinal herbs and turning medicinal herbs into One Commune - One Product (OCOP) products.
Situated at the gateway to the Northwest, Hoa Binh province has a population of over 900,000, including about 540,000 of working age. It is home to 6,000 businesses and production facilities, providing employment for over 100,000 workers. The remaining workforce is engaged in informal jobs, works in enterprises outside the province, or contributes to agro-forestry-fisheries. Additionally, around 3,000 workers are employed abroad.
The Hoa Binh provincial People's Committee has issued Decision No. 2767/QD-UBND announcing the rankings of departments, agencies, districts and Hoa Binh city in the Public Administration Reform Index (PAR) and the Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services (SIPAS) in 2024.
The cultivation of Dam Xanh fish (Bangana lemassoni), a unique fish species, has seen remarkable growth in Mai Chau district, thanks to its high economic value and effectiveness. Initially concentrated in Van Mai commune, farming has now extended to four other communes, namely Mai Hich, Mai Ha, Chieng Chau, and Son Thuy. These areas benefit from pristine underground water flowing from mountain crevices, providing ideal conditions for raising this specialty fish.
In 2024, the total state budget revenue of Hoa Binh Province is estimated at approximately VND 6,930 billion, achieving 183% of the Government’s target, 126% of the target assigned by the Provincial People's Council, and 145% compared to the same period last year.
In 2024, Hoa Binh province has shown signs of improvement in attracting investment and developing enterprises.
