There are more than just corn fields there.

New rural appearance in Suoi Tut village.

With the ability to withstand harsh weather, corn - a plant that ensures food security for people in the highlands, clings to hillsides and mountainsides like a green carpet that nourishes villages. Every season, people in the district work together to sow seeds, cultivate and harvest corn to dry in the corner of the yard. When local people realize that in order to increase income and escape poverty sustainably, they must change their production thinking. Along with corn, fruit trees, forestry trees, medicinal plants... with high economic value have taken root in many hilly areas of the district.

In the biggest house in Suoi Tut village, Quang Chieu commune, Mr. Phan Van Lieu proudly said that he was one of the first people in Muong Lat to bring orange trees from Laos to plant. In 2015, he went to Laos to attend an acquaintance's wedding and enjoyed local oranges. He was impressed by the sweet, refreshing taste of Lao oranges. He immediately asked around and found a way to bring this orange variety back to plant. He thought that Quang Chieu commune was only more than 10km from the border with Laos, the soil and climate were relatively similar. The orange variety grown in Laos would certainly grow and develop well on the other side of the border. After 7 years of diligent breeding and care, the first orange trees finally blossomed and bore fruit. From a few dozen experimental orange trees, his family now has 2,000 trees, of which more than 700 are being harvested. In addition to growing oranges, his family also raises 10 cows and grows rice on the fields. Efficient production has helped Mr. Lieu's family have a stable income and escape poverty.

Thanks to Mr. Lieu's pioneering, the movement to convert crop structure has spread in Suoi Tut village. The whole village now has more than 30 hectares of oranges. The income from growing oranges has helped many households in Suoi Tut village have a better life. By the end of 2024, the average income per capita of the village reached 37 million VND. From 100% poor households nearly 10 years ago, now the village has only 3/28 poor households. Village head Tang Van Lai said: "People's income increases every day, many households have enough to eat and then become well-off. Children of all families go to school, unlike before. In early 2025, the village reached the NTM finish line and strives to become a model village in the future."

Income from orange trees has helped many households in Suoi Tut village have a better life.

"The conversion of crop structure and finding plant varieties suitable for climate and soil conditions has opened up long-term livelihoods for people, contributing to the poverty reduction of the district," affirmed Tran Van Thang, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Muong Lat district. Based on natural conditions, land, climate, customs and practices, and people's production level, Resolution No. 11-NQ/TU dated September 29, 2022 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on "building and developing Muong Lat district to 2030, with a vision to 2045" has oriented and developed agricultural, forestry and fishery production in Muong Lat district into 4 areas.

Located in region 3, in addition to Lao orange trees, Quang Chieu and Muong Chanh communes also have many conditions to develop Cay Noi sticky rice. Of which, Quang Chieu commune has reserved 300 hectares out of a total of 400 hectares of agricultural land to grow Cay Noi sticky rice. Although only grown once a year, this rice variety has a fairly high selling price, providing local people with a stable source of income. After deducting expenses, the average profit reaches more than 42 million VND/ha/crop. Therefore, Cay Noi sticky rice is considered the main food crop of Muong Lat.

Down in Trung Ly and Pu Nhi communes, local authorities are organizing for people to focus on planting bamboo shoots and cauliflower. With 10 hectares of production forest land, for many years, Mr. Thao Van Cua's family in Keo Te village, Nhi Son commune has been struggling with the question of what to plant and what to raise. In 2024, when Muong Lat district had a policy of supporting production forest planting from socialized capital, his family boldly registered to plant nearly 3 hectares of cauliflower and nearly 200 cauliflower shoots. Mr. Cua hopes that cauliflower will be suitable for the climate and soil conditions of Nhi Son and bring high economic efficiency. Because cauliflower has a high adaptability, can withstand drought, even on barren land with large slopes. On the other hand, this is a tree that creates a source of water, has the effect of improving the environment and providing effective protection. Therefore, the Muong Lat Protective Forest Management Board is strengthening coordination with local authorities to promote the development of tung trees in the area. According to the plan, in 2025, Muong Lat district will plant 500 hectares of tung trees on protective forest land and production forest land in 8/8 communes and towns.

Mr. Phan Van Lieu was one of the first people in Muong Lat district to bring orange trees from Laos to plant.

Despite the difficulties, with the determination of the Party Committee, the government and the will to rise up from poverty from the local ethnic people, we believe that there is no mountain range or hill that they cannot overcome. A bright future will not be far away for the people in the border land of Muong Lat.

Article and photos: Tang Thuy

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/noi-ay-dau-chi-co-nuong-ngo-245705.htm