Accordingly, the "Poverty Reduction through Agricultural and Commercial Development in Vietnam-Laos Border Areas" project, utilizing the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund, focuses on developing a sustainable production chain for the indigo plant. Implemented from April 2022 to April 2024 in four border communes: Chiềng On, Phiêng Khoài, Lóng Phiêng, and Chiềng Tương, Yên Châu district, the project aims to cultivate 230 hectares of indigo plants. With a total investment of 16,116.35 million VND, the project has undertaken 21 activities, including 18 budgeted activities and 3 non-budgeted activities. To date, 16 activities have been implemented, accounting for 76.2% of the total, with 7 activities completed and 9 ongoing. The project has finished surveying and assessing raw material areas in the four communes: Chiềng On, Chiềng Tương, Lóng Phiêng, and Phiêng Khoài. Additionally, the project has completed a survey of the needs of 160 agricultural households in the four project communes using questionnaires, primarily collecting quantitative data and some qualitative information.

To achieve the project's goals and objectives: households will increase their income from participating in the production and consumption chain of ramie; the number of part-time jobs for participating households will increase; households, especially women, will gain greater autonomy, confidence, and decision-making power after participating in the project; group leaders will practice good leadership in managing ramie production groups; policies related to expanding the area of ​​ramie cultivation, processing, and consumption will be implemented by government agencies and support programs; and a market system will be developed through the production and consumption linkage of ramie products with purchasing enterprises and ramie production groups and cooperatives in the project area, creating opportunities to expand the market to other neighboring areas in Son La province. In 2024, it is necessary to focus on directing and strengthening close coordination among relevant parties to implement key tasks such as: Continuing to implement project activities to ensure the assigned plan is met. Focusing on directing partners to measure and determine suitable land areas, prepare seeds and fertilizers ready for handover and timely planting when weather conditions are favorable; closely monitoring the area, urging households to cut thorns at the right time, weed and fertilize according to the guided technical procedures to ensure high yields; assigning technical staff to provide timely support to farmers during the process of caring for, harvesting and selling the product according to the signed contracts with the people. The Project Management Board will closely coordinate with the People's Committee of Yen Chau district to proactively review and determine the potential for expanding the area of ​​green thorn cultivation in Yen Chau district and report to the Provincial People's Committee and the donor.

Nguyen Hanh