With a support budget of VND 260 million from Project 2, in 2022 ten households in Púng Giắt 1 and Púng Giắt 2 villages of Mường Pồn commune joined a model linking the cultivation of winter melon on 2.6 hectares of land. These were areas where only one rice crop per year could be grown due to water shortages.

Ms. Lò Thị Dung, one of the participating farmers, shared: “Wanting to find a crop with higher income, I converted about 1,000 m² of paddy land into winter melon cultivation under the commune’s project. Thanks to favorable soil, the melons grow well, producing two harvests a year, in May and December. All products are purchased by a cooperative specializing in vegetables in Na Sang commune. The selling price varies, averaging VND 6,000 - 8,000/kg. Compared to one rice crop, melons bring much higher income, so more households are now joining and expanding cultivation.”

Hybrid maize on sloping land has long been identified by Tủa Chùa district as a suitable agricultural development path. From 2021-2025, many hybrid maize projects supported by Project 2 have been implemented.

For instance, in 2021, the LVN 885 hybrid maize project was introduced on 34 hectares in Tủa Chùa township and Tủa Thàng commune. Households were provided with hybrid seeds and guided by agricultural extension officers on soaking, germination, planting times, and cultivation techniques. With strong drought resistance, the hybrid maize proved suitable for mountainous, sloping terrain and local farming practices.

In Tủa Thàng, along with other hybrids, LVN 885 maize grown on upland fields has generated average incomes of VND 10-15 million per hectare per crop.

Ms. Lò Thị Chiu, a farmer in Tủa Thàng, said: “Previously, my family planted local maize varieties with increasingly low yields, and crops often suffered pests. Since using hybrid maize and following technical guidance, yields have improved significantly. For years, I’ve switched entirely to hybrid maize. Each crop I sow about 20kg of seeds on more than one hectare, harvesting after 95-100 days.”

Project 2 specifically supports poor, near-poor, newly out-of-poverty households, and people with disabilities who lack stable livelihoods. Beneficiaries receive support in the form of materials, equipment, seeds, livestock, and access to new science and technology in production.

However, implementation in Điện Biên still faces challenges. Some localities are slow and uncertain due to unclear procurement guidelines for seeds, livestock, and goods produced by households themselves. Certain production models have yet to prove sustainable. In addition, livestock breeding must comply with regulations under the Animal Husbandry Law. Since Điện Biên has no certified suppliers of grazing livestock (cattle, buffalo, goats), this has slowed progress. By the end of June 2025, disbursement for Project 2 had reached only VND 209 billion, or 70.43% of the plan.

To maximize the project’s effectiveness, the province emphasizes that communication and awareness-raising must remain a top priority. Poverty reduction programs must also be implemented in tandem with the new rural development program and other targeted support programs. Each locality should build at least one effective poverty reduction model, thereby creating sustainable livelihoods and improving quality of life for the people.

For 2021-2025, Điện Biên was allocated over VND 297 billion for Project 2 under the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction. Using these funds, the province has carried out 235 livelihood diversification and poverty reduction projects, including 75 linkage projects and 160 community projects. In 2025 alone, 42 linkage support projects have been implemented.