The formation of a linkage chain spanning cultivation, care, and harvesting to processing, traceability, and consumption helps raise the value of agricultural products, reduce risks, and ensure sustainability for the local people. This strategic shift is proving to be a game-changer for the province, turning humble fields into high-value assets.

The production linkage chain is clearly changing the appearance of many agricultural regions across the province. Macadamia, often referred to as the “billion-dollar tree,” is currently developing on an area of about 10,600ha, with 1,500ha already harvested to bring high economic efficiency to growers. In the highland commune of Sín Chải, ancient Shan Tuyết tea is cultivated and harvested entirely by hand without the use of chemicals, becoming a heritage product that is particularly favored by markets both inside and outside the province.

For Pu Lau honey pineapple, close links between residents and cooperatives in planting, care, and consumption have led to increasingly stable output. Pu Lau pineapple is now recognized by consumers nationwide, becoming a key crop that contributes to increased income and improved quality of life. Reality shows that the participation of processing and exporting enterprises in the chain not only raises the value of specific agricultural products but also expands the consumption market. This serves as a motivation for establishing many cooperatives and collaborative groups, helping farmers access modern production techniques, high-quality seeds, and preferential credit capital toward sustainable agricultural development.

Beside main agricultural products, Điện Biên is promoting vegetable cultivation according to safe food supply chains. The Nam Dương Cooperative in Na Sang commune is a bright spot with 13ha of vegetables and fruits achieving VietGAP certification and an annual winter melon output of 650 tons. The unit’s application of nylon covering and drip irrigation techniques has helped save costs and increase crop productivity. Trần Xuân Thanh, Director of the Nam Dương Cooperative, affirmed that producing according to safe food supply chains is an inevitable direction to maintain prestige and ensure stable output.

To maintain and develop the linkage chain sustainably, the provincial agricultural sector has coordinated closely with localities to organize intensive training on traceability processes, labeling regulations, and clean agricultural production standards. Through these sessions, participants grasp the State’s support mechanisms, allowing many initiatives in production management and consumption to be shared and replicated. Nguyễn Văn Dũng, Chairman of the Quảng Lâm commune People’s Committee, noted that through training, the commune has gradually removed difficulties in developing linkage models and learned how to choose production models suitable for natural conditions to ensure sustainable efficiency.

According to information from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, under the national target program for sustainable poverty reduction for the 2021 - 2025 period, Project 2 regarding livelihood diversification has allocated VND 297 billion in career capital. Localities have implemented 235 projects, including 75 linkage projects and 160 community projects, with 21 projects integrated with other capital sources. For Project 3 on production development support and nutritional improvement, the province allocated VND 138 billion to implement 106 projects. To date, the entire province has formed 24 production-consumption linkage chains for agricultural products, consisting of 4 rice chains, 2 coffee chains, 3 tea chains, and 15 chains for vegetables, macadamia, and local specialties. These models help stabilize output and improve product value, contributing significantly to the provincial commodity agriculture development strategy.

In the coming time, the province will focus on the full and timely implementation of support policies for poverty reduction and production development linked to the market. Central tasks include developing new livelihood models, replicating effective ones, and linking policy loans with value chain projects. Simultaneously, the province will continue to implement the OCOP program and the Agricultural Restructuring Scheme while encouraging businesses to invest in agriculture and rural areas associated with national defense and security. Close links combined with technical support, capital, and training will be the lever to help people increase income and stabilize livelihoods, contributing to a shift in production mindsets and affirming the position of Điện Biên agricultural products in the market.