Before 2020, slash-and-burn farming was the main source of income for most households in Xẻ village. However, after years of continuous cultivation, upland soils became increasingly barren, and yields of corn and rice declined. At the same time, traditional farming practices posed serious threats to forests, including the risk of wildfires from field burning and the encroachment of cultivated land into forested areas.

In response, several pioneering families decided to abandon their upland fields and switch to cultivating high-value crops on agricultural land. Among these, high-yield cassava has proven to be a particularly suitable and effective alternative.

As one of the largest cassava growers in the village, Mr. Lò Văn Cương currently cultivates about three hectares of high-yield cassava. He shared that cassava brings a much higher income than corn or rice grown on upland fields. Each hectare produces six to seven tons, and with an average selling price of about VND 1,200 per kilogram, his family earns over VND 30 million per hectare after deducting costs.

Seeing the clear economic benefits, other households have followed suit. Today, every family in Xẻ village grows cassava. The total cassava-growing area has increased from 10 hectares in 2020 to 55 hectares today, making cassava the village’s primary crop and an important driver of poverty reduction.

As residents gradually gave up slash-and-burn cultivation, forest area in the village has steadily expanded. Xẻ village now manages and protects over 715 hectares of forest, including around 520 hectares eligible for forest environmental service payments, an increase of more than 30 hectares compared to 2020. Well-protected forests also bring added benefits, particularly from non-timber forest products.

During this time of year, it’s easy to spot the golden hue of bamboo shoots drying on racks along village roads. According to locals, there are two main bamboo shoot seasons: bitter bamboo shoots from December to April, and regular bamboo shoots from June to October. Bitter bamboo shoots are popular among both locals and visitors, while the latter are usually processed into dried shoots for sale.

Though seasonal, the bamboo shoot harvest provides a significant source of income for many households. “During the season, I collect about 10 to 20 kilograms of bamboo shoots a day,” said Ms. Lò Thị Soạn, a resident of Xẻ Village. “Fresh shoots sell for about VND 5,000 per kilogram during the peak harvest, while dried shoots fetch between VND 110,000 and 120,000 per kilogram. They sell out quickly, so as long as we’re hardworking, we can earn a good income to improve our lives.”

With growing awareness of forest value, villagers now understand that harvesting must go hand in hand with protection and regeneration. Non-timber forest products are harvested selectively, ensuring young shoots are left to grow into mature bamboo clumps. Each household is assigned specific areas of forest to manage and must sign a protection commitment. To ensure long-term benefits, many villagers leave part of the bamboo to regenerate naturally, while some even plant bamboo and rattan near their homes to make harvesting and care easier, helping secure a sustainable livelihood.

According to Mr. Nguyễn Đắc Viên, the forest ranger in charge of Mường Nhà commune, the local forestry team regularly integrates forest management and protection messages into community meetings and other programs. This includes guidance on the sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products to prevent overexploitation and ecological imbalance. Villagers are strictly prohibited from cutting down trees indiscriminately or bringing fire into the forest, which could cause wildfires.

Freed from dependence on upland farming, residents of Xẻ village are increasingly diversifying their livelihoods. In addition to cassava, the village now has 17 hectares of wet rice and around 10 hectares of other crops such as macadamia, coffee, and pineapple.

Thanks to these positive transformations, the village’s poverty rate has steadily declined, from nearly 20 poor households in 2020 to just six today.