Tủa Chùa’s unique climate and soil, shaped by its mountainous landscape, give the region a natural advantage in producing distinctive local crops. Standouts include shan tuyết tea, solanum procumbens tea (trà cà gai leo), and honey from communes such as Sín Chải, Sáng Nhè, and Tủa Chùa. While these highland products are known for their quality and are sought after by consumers, cultivation and processing remain largely fragmented. The lack of structured, value-added production chains has limited the growth of premium organic agriculture in the region.

In recent years, however, supported by national target programs and advances in agricultural science, the adoption of technology in farming and processing has accelerated. Applying scientific methods not only promotes sustainable development and competitiveness but also enhances product quality.

In the communes of Tủa Chùa and Sáng Nhè, solanum procumben, a medicinal herb known for its liver-detoxifying properties, has become a promising new crop. First introduced as a pilot in 2019, it has expanded significantly since 2023. To ease labor demands, farmers dig planting holes and use plastic mulch over their growing areas. With a cost of around VND 10 million per hectare, the mulch lasts up to three years, suppresses weeds, and simplifies irrigation and plant care. The Tủa Chùa solanum procumben cooperative currently partners with and provides technical support to 76 households cultivating over 10 hectares. The cooperative also guarantees the purchase of their output.

Vàng A Nênh, a farmer in Sáng Nhè commune, shared: “My family grows solanum procumbens on one hectare. We harvest three times a year, producing around 60 tons annually. At an average price of VND 6,000 per kilo of fresh leaves, we earn over VND 300 million per hectare each year. Thanks to the cooperative’s guidance on growing, harvesting, and care techniques, our labor and production costs are low, while the economic returns are much higher than other crops.”

In addition to securing a stable market for local farmers, the cooperative is also integrating technology into its processing operations.

Nguyễn Đỗ Hiệp, director of the Tủa Chùa solanum procumben cooperative, explained: “Solanum procumbens is a hardy plant that can be harvested continuously for nearly 10 years before needing replanting. Initially, we just bought fresh herbs, cut and dried the stems and leaves, and sold them to buyers inside and outside the province. But to increase value, we’ve invested in machinery and now produce both raw materials and finished products such as tea bags, fruit-infused tea, and herbal blends for consumers.”

Much like solanum procumbens, the highlands are famed for their ancient shan tuyết tea trees, an invaluable natural treasure of ethnic communities living in this rocky plateau. While tall wild tea trees can fetch several hundred thousand đồng per kilo of fresh leaves, shorter cultivated varieties often sell for as little as VND 15,000 per kilo, creating a stark price contrast. As a result, the market price of dry tea made from these lower-yielding varieties typically ranges from VND 350,000 to 450,000 per kilo. Among these, Hồng trà shan tuyết (Red shan tuyết tea) stands out as a successful example of applying science and technology to tea production.

Nguyễn Mỹ Linh, director of Hương Linh Điện Biên Co., Ltd., said: “Hồng trà shan tuyết sells for VND 1.5 million per kilo, three times the price of other teas from the same raw material region. It took us five years of research, learning, and applying scientific methods to develop this product, from fermentation to curing and processing. Technology has played a crucial role in enhancing quality, product value, and competitiveness.”

As society becomes more conscious of health and sustainability, demand for organic products is rising, creating new opportunities for highland agriculture. Applying scientific knowledge to farming not only boosts productivity and quality but also provides a sustainable development path that contributes to local economic growth.