In 2024, the province faced 34 natural disasters, which caused damage to 1,332 hectares of rice and 175.279 hectares of maize, cassava, and other crops. The series of natural disasters is a clear indication of the growing severity of climate change’s impact. In light of this, the provincial agriculture sector has developed and implemented solutions to mitigate the damage and ensure stable and sustainable production.

One of the key strategies identified by the agriculture sector is crop structure transformation. Recently, localities have actively supported and encouraged farmers to make flexible crop choices suited to the climatic conditions and market demands, contributing to the diversification of agricultural products and increasing incomes for local people.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, in 2024, the province transformed 2,668.22 hectares of rice land to grow other crops, an increase of 233.5 hectares compared to 2023. Among this, 2,216.3 hectares were converted to annual crops, 451.73 hectares to perennial crops, and 0.19 hectares to aquaculture.

In 2018, residents of Pu Lau village in Mường Nhà commune, Điện Biên, converted inefficient sloped land from cassava and maize cultivation to experiment with pineapple farming. After one year of trial, the pineapple showed high adaptability, with superior productivity and economic value. Since 2019, the pineapple cultivation movement has spread throughout the village. As of 2024, Pu Lau has more than 60 hectares of pineapples, generating stable income from tens to hundreds of millions of VND for each household, becoming a key crop that improves living standards and drives the local economy.

Mường Ảng is the largest coffee growing area in the province. In recent years, due to the negative impact of weather changes, some coffee areas have shown signs of degeneration, with a decrease in both yield and quality. To address this, Mường Ảng has cooperated with specialized agencies to choose new high-quality coffee varieties for grafting and replacing old varieties.

In 2023, Mường Ảng launched the CRAS project to strengthen the resistance to climate change for poor coffee-growing households. The project has successfully rejuvenated coffee farms by grafting TN1 and TN2 varieties and testing THA1 varieties. After nearly two years of implementation, the project has shown promising results and is gradually being expanded.

The province is also gradually developing organic and high-quality production areas for rice, macadamia, cinnamon, and Shan snow tea, linking these with deep processing and value chains. The Department of Agriculture and Environment is enhancing the transfer of advanced techniques, applying new varieties, and implementing safe farming practices to develop a sustainable agriculture sector that is resilient to climate change.

Lò Văn Biển, Chairman of the Mường Nhà commune People’s Committee, mentioned that the commune is focusing on building the “Mường Nhà Pineapple” brand under the OCOP program. The commune is actively working with the district’s departments to open training classes on technical farming practices and applying scientific advances to improve product quality.

The agricultural transformation in Điện Biên is a clear example of the province’s proactive approach to tackling the challenges of climate change. Through crop diversification and adoption of high-quality agricultural practices, local farmers are enhancing their resilience to climate-related issues, ensuring the long-term sustainability of their livelihoods. These efforts are not only improving farmers’ incomes but also contributing to the broader goals of sustainable agricultural development in the province.