A delegation from the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry of Hua Phan, Luang Prabang, and Luang Namtha provinces visited Ngoc Lan Cooperative in Hat Lot commune, Mai Son district.

Every year, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development organizes working groups to visit provinces in neighboring Laos to exchange experiences and production techniques; collaborates with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of neighboring provinces to survey climate and soil, and support the implementation of fruit tree planting and livestock farming models. At the same time, it facilitates and receives working groups from neighboring provinces to visit and learn about agricultural economic models in the province; assigns officials to gather information, provide timely technical guidance, and assist neighboring provinces in effectively implementing support models.

From 2020 to the present, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Son La province has coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Hua Phan province to support farmers in Hua Phan province with 5,330 mango trees, over 10,400 pink pomelo trees, and over 2,170 late-ripening longan trees. Currently, the model is developing well and has begun to yield harvests; once a year, the two departments hold a meeting to review the coordination of forest protection and development and forest fire prevention and control in the Son La - Hua Phan border area and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation. In coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Luang Prabang province, they surveyed and implemented a model of planting 10 hectares of mangoes in Phon Thong district and 10 hectares of longan in Nam Bac district. In coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Luang Namtha province, a survey and assessment of the suitability of weather, climate, and soil conditions in Vieng Phu Kha district was conducted to select locations for implementing a model supporting 20 hectares of oranges, 5 hectares of pomelos, and 25 hectares of mangoes in Tha Luong and Nam Cap villages.

The Departments of Agriculture and Forestry of Hua Phan, Luang Prabang, and Luang Namtha provinces visited the grape cultivation model of Duy Khanh Trading Joint Stock Company in the city.

Implementing the cooperation program between Son La province and neighboring Lao provinces, Phu Yen district has supported the people of Luang Prabang province with seedlings and cultivation techniques. Ms. Bac Cam Thi Sieng, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Phu Yen district, said: Previously, Phu Yen district supported farmers in Luang Prabang province in planting 3 hectares of oranges and 25 hectares of sticky rice. In 2023, after participating with a working group from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to survey Nam Bac district, Luang Prabang province, the Department proposed to the Phu Yen District People's Committee to support the Lao people in implementing a goat farming model.

After visiting and learning about several economic models in Son La province, Mr. Chay Phet Huong Tha Von, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Hua Phan province, said: With the support and assistance of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Son La province in developing fruit tree cultivation, farmers have changed their mindset and production methods, contributing to increasing the production of various fruits to over 16,900 tons/year. He hopes that in the future, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Son La province will continue to cooperate, share experiences, and support the development of fruit tree cultivation and livestock farming models; and regularly organize working groups to meet, exchange experiences, and visit production models...

Continuing to strengthen cooperation programs in the coming time, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Son La province, in coordination with the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry of neighboring provinces, will enhance investment promotion and agricultural trade promotion; promote the potential and advantages of agricultural and rural development of the province to partners in Laos; contributing to fostering solidarity and close ties between Son La province and the provinces of Laos in particular, and the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos in general.

Text and photos: Quang Huong

Strengthening agricultural cooperation with provinces in neighboring Laos (baosonla.org.vn)