Delegation from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Hua Phan, Luang Prabang and Luang Nam Tha provinces visited Ngoc Lan Cooperative, 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 present, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the 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 grapefruit trees, and over 2,170 late-ripening longan trees. Currently, the model is developing well and has begun to be harvested; once a year, the two departments hold a meeting to assess the coordination of forest protection and development and forest fire prevention and fighting in the Son La - Hua Phan border area and sign a Memorandum of Cooperation Agreement. Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Luang Prabang province to survey and implement a model of planting 10 hectares of mango in Phon Thong district and 10 hectares of longan in Nam Bac district. Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Luong Nam Tha province, survey and evaluate the suitability of weather, climate and land conditions in Vieng Phu Kha district to select locations to implement support models of 20 hectares of oranges, 5 hectares of grapefruit and 25 hectares of mango in Tha Luong and Nam Cap villages.

Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Hua Phan, Luang Prabang and Luang Nam Tha provinces visited the grape growing model of Duy Khanh Trading Joint Stock Company, City.

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

After visiting and learning about some 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 of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Son La province in developing fruit tree cultivation, it has helped farmers change their thinking and production methods, contributing to increasing the output of all kinds of fruit to over 16,900 tons/year. Hopefully in the coming time, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Son La province will continue to cooperate, share experiences, support the development of fruit tree planting and livestock models; regularly organize working delegations to meet, exchange experiences, visit production models...

Continuing to promote the cooperation program in the coming time, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Son La province will coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of neighboring provinces to promote investment and trade in agricultural products; promote the potential advantages of rural agricultural development of the province with Lao partners; contribute to fostering solidarity and attachment between Son La province and Lao provinces in particular and the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos in general.

Article and photos: Quang Huong

Promoting agricultural cooperation with Lao provinces (baosonla.org.vn)