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 complete the project's objectives and tasks: Households have increased income from participating in the green hemp production and consumption chain; the number of part-time jobs for households participating in the project has increased; households, especially women, after participating in the project have increased autonomy, confidence, and decision-making roles; group leaders practice their leadership roles well in managing green hemp production groups; policies related to expanding the area of ​​raw materials for growing, processing, and consuming green hemp are implemented by authorities at all levels and programs that receive and support development; developing the market system through the process of linking production and consumption of green hemp products with purchasing enterprises and green hemp production groups and cooperatives in the project area and 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 between relevant parties to carry out key tasks such as: Continuing to implement project activities to ensure the assigned plan. Focus on directing partners to measure and determine suitable land areas, prepare seeds and fertilizers ready for handover and promptly plant when weather conditions are favorable; closely follow the area, urge households to cut thorns at the right time, weed and fertilize according to the instructed technical process so that the plants have high productivity, send technical staff to promptly support people in the process of caring for, harvesting and consuming products according to the contract signed with the people. The project management board closely coordinates with the People's Committee of Yen Chau district to proactively review and determine the potential for developing green thorn areas in Yen Chau district, report to the Provincial People's Committee, and report to the Donor.

Nguyen Hanh