Agriculture Leads the Way, Opens a Bright Future in Si Ma Cai

Mentioning Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province, many people immediately picture overlapping mountains and the challenging life of highland people. But now, this land is changing daily thanks to agricultural development. Si Ma Cai has chosen agriculture as a foundation for development due to its fertile soil and cool climate, ideal for temperate fruit trees like Ta Van plums. According to Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of Si Ma Cai District People's Committee, the district has developed about 1,500 hectares of plum and pear trees, with over 600 hectares already producing harvests. The focus is not just on planting but also on building agricultural product brands and developing organic agriculture linked with eco-tourism. In Lung Than commune, once reliant on corn and rice, temperate fruit trees have transformed the local economy. Initial skepticism gave way to success as farmers transitioned to large-scale cultivation, now expecting to reach 500 hectares of fruit trees in the coming years. Ta Van plums and VH6 pears now bring in 80 to 120 million VND per hectare, a significant increase from the 15 to 20 million VND earned from traditional crops. This shift has led to a total income from fruit trees exceeding 15 billion VND in the past year. The success stories are numerous. Mr. Hang Seo Sinh, a local farmer, shared how converting to pear cultivation lifted his family out of poverty. Lung Than has also successfully combined agriculture with eco-tourism, attracting tourists with blossoming fruit trees and offering fresh produce and opportunities to experience local life. Si Ma Cai is focusing on building sustainable agricultural value chains, from production to consumption, utilizing technology to enhance product value and yield.