Son La province has 216 registered fruit-growing areas, of which 200 are for export, covering a total area of ​​nearly 3,000 hectares. (Photo: Son La)Van Ngoc.

Son La has many advantages in terms of soil and climate for developing various types of crops.fruit treesand industrial crops. This season, fruit trees in Son La are in their harvesting season. The mango orchards of Yen Chau are laden with ripe fruit, the longan trees of Song Ma are about to be harvested, and the hills of Moc Chau's plum trees are a vibrant purple-red; just hearing their names is enough to evoke the rich flavors of local specialties.

Over the past 10 years, Son La province has consistently implemented the policy of developing fruit trees on sloping land. Tens of thousands of hectares of sloping land previously used for low-yield, low-value crops have been converted to high-economic-value fruit trees, meeting market demands and opening up a new direction in sustainable agricultural production. Organic farming methods, crop rotation, and the use of indigenous varieties have also been maintained and promoted, combined with traditional practices to create safe, delicious, and distinctive fruit products.

A grapefruit orchard in Son La province is cultivated intensively, applying grafting techniques, improving varieties, and producing according to VietGAP standards. (Photo:)Van Ngoc.

According to Ms. Cam Thi Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province, fruit trees are a key crop group, playing an important role in the local agricultural economic structure. From 2016 to the present, the entire province has converted and newly planted nearly 62,000 hectares of fruit trees, bringing production value of 150 - 300 million VND/hectare/year.

Given its predominantly hilly and mountainous terrain, Son La will continue to effectively utilize its land potential to expand the area of ​​fruit trees such as mangoes, longan, plums, avocados, passion fruit, etc., creating a stable source of income for the people.

Currently, the area planted with fruit trees and hawthorn trees in the province is...Son LaThe cultivated area reached 85,000 hectares, a 219% increase compared to 2016. Production also increased sharply, achieving an impressive growth rate of 332%. This result stems from the restructuring of crop patterns on more than 33,000 hectares of sloping land, barren land, and areas with low agricultural productivity.

Longan from Song Ma is famous for its delicious flavor and thick flesh, making it a favorite among consumers. (Photo)Van Ngoc.

"Besides stabilizing and expanding the cultivated area, we will continue to promote scientific and technical solutions to improve the productivity, quality, and value of fruit products, especially organic farming, rational use of fertilizers, and promoting deep processing."

In particular, the province will strengthen links with processing plants, export businesses, and distribution systems to ensure stable outlets for its products.agricultural products"Investment continues in brand building, geographical indications, and trade promotion, thereby creating a competitive edge for Son La fruits in domestic and international markets," said Ms. Cam Thi Phong.

Ms. Cam Thi Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province. Photo:Quynh Chi.

One of Son La's priority strategies is to put the people at the center, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups including women and ethnic minorities. Son La is coordinating with international organizations and specialized units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to organize training courses on farming skills, production management, and post-harvest preservation.

“When women generate their own income and build stable livelihoods, they become more confident in expressing their views, raising their voices, and inspiring other women in the community. Therefore, we always encourage the establishment of women-led cooperatives, thereby creating conditions to help them play a role in production, while promoting gender equality and sustainable socio-economic development in the highlands,” shared Ms. Cam Thi Phong.