Identifying communication as a breakthrough and a key factor in raising awareness and building consensus, the Standing Committee of the provincial Farmers’ Union has directed its branches to implement coordinated actions aligned with agricultural and forestry development goals linked to new-style rural development. Outreach efforts have focused on disseminating key resolutions and programs of the province, along with plans and guidelines related to agriculture and emulation movements. This has helped raise farmers’ awareness and clearly affirm their role as central actors in rural development. Many members have shifted from passive participation to proactive and voluntary contributions, helping spread the movement across communities.

Trần Quý Hùng, Chairman of the provincial Farmers’ Union, said: “We always view farmers not merely as beneficiaries, but as the core drivers of the new-style rural development process. When awareness improves, people become more proactive in economic development, environmental protection, and infrastructure building.”

Alongside outreach, Farmers’ Unions at all levels have promoted emulation movements, particularly the campaign “Farmers excelling in production and business”. This is seen as a key driver in restructuring production and increasing incomes - one of the core criteria of new-style rural development.

Since 2022, more than 14,400 households across the province have registered to join the movement. Following evaluation, about 3,500 households have been recognized as outstanding at various levels. The movement has produced many exemplary farmers in production and business, who have been commended by the provincial People’s Committee and honored by the central Farmers’ Union.

Dương Đức Chính, a member of the Farmers’ Association in team 7, Mường Thanh ward, has boldly shifted direction by partnering with others to establish a company investing in macadamia cultivation. His business has expanded to 230 hectares with over 53,000 trees. Early harvests have shown promising results, opening up a sustainable development path. In addition, his family has combined fruit cultivation on 8,000 square meters of land, generating a stable annual income of VND 500-600 million.

Speaking about his model, Chính said: “At first, switching to macadamia was challenging due to limited experience and capital. But through learning and support, the trees have now begun yielding results. Combined with fruit cultivation, our income has become increasingly stable. In the coming time, I plan to expand production and enhance economic value.”

The province currently has more than 89,000 farmer members. To support economic development, Farmers’ Unions have organized training and vocational courses in livestock and crop production for over 2,900 participants, while creating new jobs for more than 1,100 rural workers. Through the provincial Farmers’ Support Fund, 101 projects have been implemented with nearly VND 29 billion in funding, providing loans to 689 households. The Union has also coordinated with the provincial Social Policy Bank to channel over VND 1.335 trillion in entrusted credit, benefiting more than 21,000 households.

Beyond economic development, Điện Biên farmers have actively contributed to rural infrastructure under the principle of “the State and the people working together”. Over the past four years, members have contributed more than 100,000 workdays, over VND 2 billion in funding, and donated more than 627,000 square meters of land. They have built and repaired nearly 516km of roads, upgraded about 438km of irrigation canals, and repaired or constructed 580 bridges and drainage systems, while planting over 600,000 trees.

Environmental protection has also been a priority. The implementation of criterion No.17 on environment and food safety has been carried out through various practical models. Community-based environmental self-management groups have been established, while campaigns on waste collection, tree planting, and safe agricultural production have been widely expanded.

These efforts have made an important contribution to the province’s new-style rural development program. Following the implementation of the two-tier local government model, 3 out of 42 communes in the province have now met the criteria for recognition as new-style rural areas.