Song Ma honey is ordered by many people on e-commerce platforms.

Previously, Song Ma’s agricultural products were mainly consumed through traditional markets and traders. This not only limited the market but also made farmers dependent on intermediaries, causing price fluctuations and reducing profits. However, with the emergence and development of e-commerce, Song Ma farmers are having the opportunity to directly reach consumers through online sales channels, expanding their business scale not only domestically but also internationally.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Song Ma district, said: Song Ma currently has over 10,870 hectares of fruit trees of all kinds. Currently, the district is maintaining and developing production and consumption chains in agricultural production with over 892 hectares of fruit trees, such as: longan, mango, grapefruit, orange... Maintaining and developing 47 safe agricultural and aquatic food supply chains. The district has coordinated with the Post-Import Plant Quarantine Center I of the Plant Protection Department to evaluate and grant 48 growing area codes, with nearly 482 hectares, with an output of over 4,500 tons; of which, 12 longan growing area codes are exported to the US market, 23 longan growing area codes are exported to the Chinese market, and 13 longan growing area codes are exported to the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Members of Song Ma Honey Bee Farming Cooperative check the quality of honey bee colonies.

The district has 74 cooperatives and agricultural production households, of which 7 units have products sold through e-commerce platforms, the majority of the rest sell on social networks, such as: Agricultural products of Ngoan Hau Cooperative, Tan Lap village, Chieng Khuong commune; longan, fresh longan fruit of Hoa Muoi Cooperative, Huoi Bo village, Chieng Khoong commune; Ha Den grapes of Song Ma Agricultural and Forestry Company Limited....

Realizing the potential of e-commerce in solving the problem of agricultural product consumption, functional departments of Song Ma district have implemented many solutions to support farmers and cooperatives, such as: Training programs on online business skills, applying technology to product management, and brand building...

The district has coordinated with the Central Youth Union and Son La Provincial Youth Union to organize a training conference to enhance skills in selling OCOP products through digital media for rural youth and livestream to introduce Son La's OCOP products directly implemented and guided by KOLs and KOCs (influencers, consumers with great influence in the market). Organized a forum on digital transformation in communication to promote OCOP products for young people with the theme "Exploiting the potential of the digital economy in promoting local OCOP products for 400 delegates.

One of the typical initiatives is to link with major e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee and Tiki so that farmers can put their products on the platform, reaching millions of consumers. Along with that, businesses and cooperatives build their own fanpages to increase the ability to bring agricultural products to consumers, such as Facebook, Zalo, Tiktok... In addition, the district has also provided technical support to help farmers become familiar with tools such as online payment, shipping and order management.

In recent years, Song Ma Honey Beekeeping Cooperative, Quyet Thang village, Na Nghiu commune, has focused on promoting the application of advanced science and technology in developing honey beekeeping, consuming honey products, and bee varieties with high productivity and quality. Participating in the OCOP program of Song Ma district, the Cooperative has promoted Song Ma honey products in many different forms. In particular, boldly experimenting with selling honey products on e-commerce platforms, such as: Postmart.vn, Sanviet.vn, Topmaxsale.vn, Vinmart.com, Lazada.vn, Shopee.vn, Tiki.vn... In just a short time, the Cooperative's revenue has nearly doubled compared to before relying only on the traditional market.

Mr. Le Van Kinh, Director of Song Ma Beekeeping Cooperative, said: The cooperative has 16 members, with a scale of 2,500 bee colonies, and an output of nearly 90 tons of honey. At first, we were worried about selling online, but after being instructed, I realized this was a great opportunity for development. In addition, the cooperative also sells products on social networks such as Facebook, Zalo, Tiktok, integrating QR codes for traceability... Therefore, we have many advantages, more products are sold, and more customers know about our products.

Similarly, the cooperatives: Hung Loc Agricultural Service, Tan Lap village, Chieng Khuong commune; Hoa Muoi Agricultural Service, Huoi Bo village, Chieng Khoong commune; Chung Thanh Agricultural Service, Na Dua village, Yen Hung commune... have also achieved great success when applying product traceability technology on e-commerce platforms. Integrating QR codes on each product helps consumers easily track the production process, thereby increasing their trust and choice.

Black Summer Grapes from Song Ma are sold on Phuong Anh Agricultural Products trading floor.

Despite significant progress, the development of e-commerce in Song Ma still faces many difficulties, especially the problem of internet infrastructure and the limited level of technology use among the people. Currently, the district government and supporting units are constantly looking for solutions to overcome these problems, such as upgrading the telecommunications network and strengthening cooperation with technology organizations.

Mr. Lo Van Sinh, Chairman of Song Ma District People's Committee, informed: Currently, the District Post Office, Song Ma Telecommunication Center and Viettel Song Ma have implemented a plan to support agricultural production households to access e-commerce platforms, in order to promote the district's digital economy. Enterprises in the district have applied information technology in all stages of management, production, and business activities... In the coming time, Song Ma district will continue to promote training programs, encourage farmers and local enterprises to apply digital technology, improve e-commerce capacity, develop sustainable agriculture, and contribute to the digital economy of the whole country.

The promotion of e-commerce in agriculture has brought positive changes to Song Ma district. Through the support of the government and the innovative spirit of the people, Song Ma agricultural products are increasingly reaching out, not only domestically but also internationally, bringing a prosperous life to the people of the border district.

According to: baosonla.gov.vn