The greenhouse area for high-tech agricultural production of Moc Van Green Cooperative, Suoi Lin village, Van Ho commune.

Potential and challenges

Currently, the total area of ​​land used for crop production in the province is nearly 335,300 hectares, of which annual crops account for nearly 213,000 hectares; and perennial industrial and fruit trees account for 122,294 hectares. Many key crops such as coffee, mango, longan, custard apple, and plum are being developed strongly, creating concentrated production areas favorable for the development of organic farming.

The Navel orange cultivation model of Kien Cuong Phieng Khoai Cooperative.

During the 2020-2025 period, our province implemented numerous policies and initiatives to create leverage and promote a positive shift in the agricultural sector's structure, focusing on exploiting the potential and advantages of each region. In particular, the Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 08/NQ/TU dated January 21, 2021, on the development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in a concentrated, sustainable manner, applying high technology until 2025, with a vision to 2030, emphasizing the goal of "Promoting green growth; building Son La into a rapidly and sustainably developing province; and becoming a center for high-tech agricultural development in the Northwest region." To implement the Resolution, the Provincial People's Committee issued 10 plans and 6 projects; established a working group to monitor and implement the resolution; and simultaneously created a competitive movement to encourage and attract businesses, cooperatives, and individuals to invest in agricultural and rural development.

Through various policies and guidelines, the province's agricultural production structure has undergone positive transformation. Many products have been branded and granted geographical indications, gradually participating in domestic and export supply chains, which is an important prerequisite for organic agricultural production.

Ms. Bui Phuong Thanh, Deputy Director of Noong Pieu Local Agricultural Products Cooperative, Kim Chung 3 village, Phieng Khoai commune, said: "The cooperative was established in 2020, with 11 members and a production scale of 50 hectares of plum trees. We invested in an irrigation system, used organic fertilizers and microbial products to improve the soil; and controlled pests and diseases using biological methods... As a result, we produce large, uniform plums with beautiful appearance. Currently, the cooperative's Ruby plums are certified OCOP 4 stars; 36.5 hectares are produced according to VietGAP standards; and 30 hectares have been granted export-oriented planting area codes. Annual fruit production reaches 250-300 tons, bringing in revenue of 8-10 billion VND."

The model of growing custard apples and durians using organic methods by Phuong Nam Agricultural Cooperative, Long Phieng commune.

Despite the province's attention to mechanisms and policies, and the shift in mindset among farmers and cooperatives in production, the development of organic agriculture in Son La still faces many challenges. Currently, the area certified as organic throughout the province is only 264.8 hectares, accounting for a small percentage of the province's total cultivated area.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Duc, Vice President of the Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, analyzed: Among the seven core principles of the National Standard TCVN 11041:2017, organic agricultural production requires a buffer zone separating it from traditional agricultural production to prevent the direct impact of chemicals on the product. In reality, most crop production areas are currently on sloping land, making it difficult to designate specific zones for organic agricultural production. Furthermore, most forms of organic agricultural production organization in the province are still limited; the number of businesses with strong potential to invest in building value chains for agricultural products is very small compared to the demand. Currently, 80% of agricultural cooperatives in the province are mainly small-scale, with limited capital and management capacity that does not meet the requirements.

The Trong Nguyen tea product display booth.

The Binh Thuan General Production, Business and Service Cooperative is one of the exemplary models in applying safe, organic tea production processes and high technology. The cooperative currently has 25 members and is linked with 500 households, jointly managing and caring for over 400 hectares of tea plantations. Of this, 35 hectares have achieved VietGAP standards, while the remainder apply safe production processes, reducing chemical use and increasing the use of biological products. Annual tea production reaches 200-400 tons.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, Deputy Director of the Cooperative, said: Although the cooperative has been producing organically, it currently only meets VietGAP standards and has not yet achieved international organic certifications. This limits its access to demanding markets such as the EU, Australia, or Japan, which only accept products with clear organic certification. The lack of certification also makes it difficult to sell the products at the highest possible price.

Moc Van Green Cooperative in Van Ho commune uses a seed sowing machine to produce seedlings.

According to many scientists, organic farming methods require adherence to the biological laws of plants. Therefore, proactive irrigation is necessary, but the internal road and irrigation systems in the province's organic agricultural production areas are still lacking and not synchronized. In addition, the market for organic products is currently unstable, and the link between production, processing, and consumption is not sustainable. Many consumers still cannot clearly distinguish between organic and conventional products, prioritizing lower prices, which is also a major barrier.

Promotional solutions

In practice, sustainable organic agriculture development requires a comprehensive and synchronized approach involving the State, businesses, cooperatives, and farmers. In particular, the formation of effective production models suited to local conditions is a crucial foundation.

Members of the Tu Nhien Safe Vegetable Cooperative in Moc Son ward grow tomatoes in a greenhouse.

At the Tu Nhien Safe Vegetable Cooperative in Moc Son ward, for many years, the cooperative members have made a commitment to: no chemical fertilizers, no pesticides. In 2020, the cooperative was certified to produce vegetables according to the TCVN 11041:2-2017 organic standard, covering an area of ​​5 hectares and producing 145 tons per year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Luyen, Director of Tu Nhien Safe Vegetable Cooperative, shared: "Our goal is not just to sell agricultural products, but to build a closed ecosystem, making maximum use of natural by-products and gradually forming a model ecological experience area. There, visitors can directly plant, harvest, process, and enjoy agricultural products. This will help them understand and connect more with nature, while also creating sustainable livelihoods for local people."

Workshop “Organic Agriculture - Prospects and Challenges”.

In late December 2025, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, in collaboration with the Son La Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, organized a workshop on "Organic Agriculture - Prospects and Challenges," with the participation of many experts, scientists, and representatives from businesses and cooperatives in the province.

Analyzing from a scientific perspective, Dr. Vu Quang Giang, Head of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Tay Bac University, stated that establishing a safe buffer zone is a mandatory requirement in organic production. It is necessary to establish isolation zones between organic production areas and traditional farming areas, possibly planting windbreaks or biological barriers such as Vetiver grass or woody plants to minimize the risk of chemical contamination from neighboring areas; strengthening the application of science and technology, using electronic logs and QR codes for traceability will help to transparentize the entire production process. This is an important basis for domestic and international certification organizations to evaluate, building trust with consumers and import partners.

The model of organic apple cultivation by Truong An Xanh Agricultural Cooperative, Xuan Nha commune.

Furthermore, self-sufficiency in local organic fertilizer production is considered a key solution to reduce input costs and enhance the sustainability of production. Son La has abundant agricultural by-products such as coffee husks, sugarcane bagasse, and corn stalks. Combined with large-scale livestock farming, this allows for the production of organic and microbial fertilizers locally, helping to reduce production costs by 30-40%.

In addition, provincial authorities continue to research and refine appropriate support mechanisms and policies. This includes focusing on encouraging the production and use of organic agricultural supplies; supporting investment in storage and processing infrastructure; promoting trade, building and developing brands for the province's organic agricultural products; and strengthening communication to raise consumer awareness and create a stable and sustainable market for organic products.

A week-long event showcasing agricultural products to celebrate the 11th Congress of the Son La Provincial Farmers' Association, term 2025-2030.

Developing organic agriculture is a long-term process requiring strategic vision, a suitable roadmap, and the perseverance of the entire political system, business community, and people. If advantages are effectively utilized, obstacles are promptly removed, and solutions are implemented synchronously, organic agriculture will become an important driving force, enhancing the value of agricultural products, protecting the ecological environment, and achieving the goal of "Developing clean agriculture, organic agriculture, high-tech agriculture, and adapting to climate change" as outlined in the Resolution of the 16th Congress of the Son La Provincial Party Committee.

Hoang Giang