10-year journey: From corn and cassava to fruit trees for export

Ten years ago, sloping land in the province was mainly used to grow corn, cassava, and upland rice with low economic efficiency. In 2015, the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee issued Conclusion Notice No. 121-TB/TU, identifying the conversion of sloping land to growing fruit trees as a key task. With the advantages of climate and soil, Son La has strongly developed tropical and temperate fruit trees such as longan, mango, plum, passion fruit, avocado, etc.

By 2025, the total fruit tree area of the province will reach 85,050 hectares, with an estimated output of 510,000 tons, an increase of 219% in area and 332% in yield compared to 2015, of which more than 33,000 hectares of ineffective food cropland converted. The crop structure will be diversified from 12 to 25 types, with new varieties such as Anh Vang 205 longan, Thai Bao yellow passion fruit, and Booth avocado. The area meeting VietGAP standards will increase 37.7 times, from 126 hectares to 4,751 hectares. The average production value will reach 150-300 million VND/ha/year, with some models reaching 400-500 million VND/ha/year.

Building value chains and exporting

Son La has formed a complete value chain from production and processing to trade promotion. The province has 560 agricultural processing facilities, including 17 large-scale factories, notably the Nafood Tay Bac Fruit Processing Factory and Van Ho Factory of TH Group. From 2017 to 2025, the province attracted 05 large processing factories, contributing to reducing post-harvest losses and developing sustainable raw material areas.

Trade promotion activities were implemented with more than 70 fruit fairs and festivals. Products such as mango, longan, plum, strawberry, etc. are available at supermarkets and on Vietnam Airlines flights. In 2025, Son La will export 158,000 tons of fresh and processed fruit, worth more than 160 million USD, to 15 international markets, with 218 growing area codes.

New vision for green agriculture

Speaking at the conference, Provincial Party Secretary Hoang Quoc Khanh emphasized that the achievements of the 10 years are proof of the correctness of the policy and the people's efforts. Fruit trees are an economic pillar and contribute to poverty reduction, creating jobs for nearly 5,000 workers and improving the ecological environment.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, spoke at the Conference.

In the coming time, Son La will develop fruit trees in a green, organic, and circular direction and promote the OCOP program, linking 06 parties (farmers - state - enterprises - banks - science - distribution). The province will also issue a mechanism to attract investment, forming processing and logistics industrial clusters to serve specialized fruit-growing areas.

The Provincial Party Secretary awarded Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals for their outstanding contributions in implementing the policy.

At the Conference, the Provincial Party Standing Committee awarded 09 collectives and 49 individuals, awarding 10 and 05 individuals for their outstanding contributions to implementing the policy.

The 10-year journey has turned the slopes of Son La into fruit-laden gardens, lighting up the desire to get rich and opening up a sustainable future for the Northwest region, etc.

Tuan Quoc

Translated by Tuan Minh Dang