With a mild climate year-round, Trung Thu has its own microclimate. Crops grown in these low-temperature conditions typically have slower growth compared to those in the plains. However, the slower growth often leads to high-quality produce, which is favored by traders and local people.

Previously, common crops grown on the terraces were corn, harvested once a year with a yield of about 25 quintals per hectare. After switching to taro cultivation, the yield increased significantly, with an average of over 80 quintals per hectare. The higher yield and market value have led to its rapid development.

Thào A Páo, Deputy Chairman of the Trung Thu commune People’s Committee, shared: “With our unique climate, both white and purple taro varieties are ideal for cultivation on local terraces. The yield and quality are excellent. This year, we’ve collaborated with H’mông Cooperative to expand taro farming by providing information and support to each household. We aim to increase the cultivation area and contribute to the local economic development.” To date, besides the 22 members of H’mông Cooperative, another 4 hectares of taro have been cultivated by local households.

Founded in 2019, H’mông Cooperative focuses on linking production and consumption of agricultural products, especially purple taro, from over 100 households across Trung Thu, Sính Phình, and Tủa Thàng communes. In Trung Thu alone, the cooperative has converted nearly 10 hectares of land previously used for maize and cassava to taro cultivation.

Thào A Làng, Deputy Director of H’mông Cooperative, explained: “Taro cultivation on local terraces is similar to maize, only one harvest per year, and it takes about 8 months to be ready for harvest. This year, due to early rains, the cooperative members’ taro fields were already planted by April. From selecting seeds to land preparation, fertilization, and care, we’ve guided the members and other households. The crops are growing very well. Selling the product is also easy, with most customers within the province and traders from Hanoi. The long harvesting time allows for proper storage, ensuring the taro maintains its quality when it reaches consumers.”

The development of taro cultivation on the terraces of H’mông Cooperative has been promoted since 2023. The cooperative guarantees the output, buying back the products, and its taro yield has significantly exceeded that of maize and rice, offering a high economic value, ranging from VND 15,000 to 20,000 per kilogram. This has encouraged other households outside the cooperative to adopt the practice.

Thào A Nhè, from Pô Ca Dao village, Trung Thu vommune, shared: “Our family has learned from the cooperative and bought seeds for two years. Currently, we have converted 3,000m2 of maize land into taro farming, yielding about VND 40 million per harvest. Next year, we plan to expand our cultivation area and further shift from maize to taro to improve our economic situation.”