To bring Dien Bien agricultural products far and wide

In order for Dien Bien agricultural products to go far, it is necessary to plan concentrated growing areas, apply science and technology towards green and clean production, and businesses and cooperatives need to "join hands" with farmers in connecting and consuming agricultural products.

In 2023, Dien Bien actively participated in promoting and introducing OCOP products and specialty agricultural products to many localities and events with the desire that many people know about Dien Bien agricultural products. This is also a consumption channel, finding markets for agricultural products to reach far. However, to exploit the strengths of agricultural products, Dien Bien needs long-term and sustainable solutions from the formation of production areas, planting, care, processing to consumption.

Possessing the largest rice fields in the Northwest region, Dien Bien rice is famous for its delicious taste and has reached many provinces and cities. Many tourists when coming to Dien Bien choose rice as gifts for relatives and friends. During the Dien Bien - Northwest Culture and Tourism Week held in Ho Chi Minh City in early December, the area displaying and introducing some agricultural products and OCOP products of Dien Bien attracted a large number of visitors to visit and enjoy. Some agricultural products such as fragrant eight rice, Truong Huong seng cu, Muong Ang coffee, Hong Ky coffee, dried bamboo shoots, vermicelli... were widely researched and purchased by tourists. In particular, fragrant eight rice and seng cu products of Truong Huong Agricultural Seed Joint Stock Company were sold out on the third day of the week and had to be urgently transported from Dien Bien for display and introduction. People in the city named after Uncle Ho were interested in the rice products brought from Dien Bien, so they wanted to learn about and try the "pure" unmixed rice. In fact, Dien Bien rice has been adulterated and mixed and sold in several localities, causing many consumers to doubt the quality of Dien Bien rice. In addition to rice, Arabica Muong Ang coffee grown in the Muong Khoe valley, where fog covers the whole year, has created a unique coffee flavor that is not found anywhere else. Muong Ang coffee has participated in introducing and promoting at the Buon Ma Thuot coffee festival (Dak Lak province), the Son La coffee festival and served National Assembly delegates at the 5th session. Many people who enjoy Muong Ang coffee are surprised by its special flavor, deep sweetness and mild sourness. Participating in festivals and events is a good opportunity for Muong Ang coffee to affirm its brand, helping consumers know more about the coffee in Muong Khoe. According to agricultural experts, to increase the value of Muong Ang coffee, in addition to planting good varieties, caring for and harvesting properly, it is also necessary to process it properly. However, the “barriers” that prevent Muong Ang coffee from going far are the lack of brand building and geographical indication registration. In addition, coffee processing is mainly preliminary processing, and there are not many diverse products to meet consumer demand.

It can be affirmed that Dien Bien agricultural products are not only rice and coffee, but also Shan Tuyet tea in Tua Chua, Macadamia nuts in Tuan Giao, and green vegetables in the basin are also agricultural products that are known to many people and have affirmed their quality. However, the formation of concentrated production areas, connecting consumption, and building brands are still weak and difficult links for Dien Bien agricultural products. These limitations have been pointed out and solutions have been proposed when implementing the project to restructure the agricultural sector towards sustainable commodity production. However, due to limited support policies, difficulties in transporting products, and farmers not ensuring technical procedures for plant care and processing, Dien Bien agricultural products have not been able to reach far and develop sustainably.

Exploiting the strengths of agricultural products, Dien Bien needs to plan growing areas suitable for soil and climate conditions for each type of crop such as Muong Thanh rice, Muong Ang coffee, Tuan Giao macadamia, Tua Chua tea... Building brands, registering geographical indications for each type of agricultural product; farmers participating in training, complying with plant care processes; businesses and cooperatives closely linking with farmers in supplying seeds, supervising care, processing and connecting agricultural product consumption. When all create a smooth production cycle, Dien Bien agricultural products will affirm their quality, confidently reach out, and approach consumers nationwide.

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