During the 2022-2025 period, while the province had to scale down macadamia planting projects and many localities faced difficulties in managing existing orchards, several communes, Tuần Giáo, Quài Tở, Mường Mùn, Pú Nhung, and Chiềng Sinh, pioneered the development of new macadamia cultivation areas, expanding to over 7,000 hectares. Thanks to coordinated involvement of the entire political system, the strong commitment of local authorities, and most importantly, the trust and support of the people, all planted macadamia areas are currently growing well, with some trees already bearing their first fruits. These localities have identified macadamia as a key crop in their agricultural restructuring strategies.

To foster public consensus, the communes organized numerous direct dialogues between key local leaders and residents. Commune-level People’s Committees developed plans to meet and interact with 100% of villages scheduled for macadamia planting. During these sessions, commune leaders provided clear information on macadamia development strategies, support policies for seedlings and fertilizers, and technical training, while also listening to people’s concerns and aspirations.

In parallel, digital community groups and local cooperative teams were formed to coordinate outreach, instruction, and monitoring of macadamia cultivation and protection efforts. As a result, within a short time, the crop transition policy gained widespread support, with residents voluntarily registering to participate.

Cà Văn Hoài, a resident of Co Đứa village, Chiềng Sinh commune, shared: “In 2023, I registered to convert 1 hectare to macadamia under the commune’s crop restructuring initiative. In 2024 and 2025, I planted 1 more hectare each year. The survival rate exceeds 90%, and all trees are growing well.”

Thanks to consistent and effective approaches, the macadamia cultivation area in Tuần Giáo, Quài Tở, Mường Mùn, Pú Nhung, and Chiềng Sinh communes has grown rapidly year after year: 150 hectares in 2022, nearly 1,700 hectares in 2023, 3,300 hectares in 2024, and over 2,168 hectares in 2025. To date, the total macadamia area in these communes has surpassed 8,000 hectares, forming the province’s largest concentrated macadamia-growing zone.

Recognizing the declining economic returns from traditional crops such as maize, upland rice, and cassava, Pu Nhi commune has proactively partnered with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to pilot coffee cultivation since 2024. The commune has also utilized funds from national target programs to convert low-yield upland fields into coffee plantations.

To ensure smooth and effective implementation, the Pu Nhi commune People’s Committee organized delegations of officials and villagers to visit key coffee-growing regions such as Mường Ảng and Quài Tở communes for learning experiences. Community outreach teams were formed to encourage farmers to convert low-yield upland rice fields to coffee. As of now, nearly 50 hectares of coffee have been established, marking a promising start in building a new specialized cultivation area.

Mùa Chí Dính from Tìa Ló village, Pu Nhi commune, shared: “In 2024, when the commune partnered with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to pilot coffee cultivation, I registered and converted nearly 1 hectare of low-yield upland rice to coffee. I received support in seedlings, fertilizers, and technical training. The coffee plants are thriving, and I plan to expand the area on degraded land.”

Crop restructuring requires not only political determination but also proactive mindset changes from farmers. Across the province, more and more households are boldly shifting from maize and upland rice to high-value crops like cinnamon, coffee, and macadamia.

In 2023, Vừ A Của from Huổi Lanh village, Mường Toong commune, pioneered converting 1 hectare of upland field to cinnamon cultivation. Despite early challenges, he received close technical support from local agricultural extension officers. While waiting for the cinnamon canopy to fully develop, he was advised to intercrop maize for added income. “My cinnamon trees are growing well. In 2025, with the commune launching a coffee planting project, I plan to convert another 0.5 hectares to coffee,” said Của.

He also actively encouraged fellow villagers to follow suit. As a result, within just two years (2024-2025), Huổi Lanh village now has over 13 hectares of cinnamon, opening up a new economic development direction for local residents.

After years of restructuring toward value-added agriculture, Điện Biên has gradually replaced traditional crops (maize, cassava, upland rice) with specialized industrial crops. By the end of 2024, the province had: 5,022 hectares of rubber in harvest, yielding an estimated 5,482.92 tons of latex per year; 628.98 hectares of tea, producing about 198 tons of fresh tea buds; 4,540.75 hectares of coffee, yielding approximately 5,713.71 tons of green coffee beans; and 10,731.08 hectares of macadamia, with an estimated harvest of 1,416.51 tons of fresh nuts.