Once considered degraded land with low cultivation efficiency, many areas in Tuần Giáo are now being “awakened” through innovative crop restructuring. Arid plots that once lay fallow are now covered in the colors of new growing seasons, opening up significant income opportunities for the community. In Phung village, the Đoàn Kết Hưng Thịnh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative leased 4.5 hectares of inefficient rice land from local residents to cultivate Green J-chilies, transforming barren, abandoned fields into a landscape of hope.

Lò Duy Thiểm, Party Secretary of Phung village, observed that these fields previously produced only a single crop and remained largely unused for the rest of the year. Since the cooperative began leasing the land and hiring local labor, the villagers have enjoyed “dual benefits.” Not only do they receive a stable source of income from land rentals, but they also find employment directly on their own fields. Furthermore, throughout the production process, residents receive professional technical guidance on planting and tending to the chilies, which is step-by-step modernizing their traditional farming habits.

Tòng Văn Tinh, a resident of Phung village, expressed his excitement about the model, noting that he earns VND 200,000 per day as a laborer in addition to his rental income. This has stabilized his family’s finances and made life significantly less difficult. For him, the most encouraging aspect is seeing his ancestral land revitalized and productive once again. Currently, the cooperative leases land from over 400 households across the Phung, Sáng, and Phủ villages. During the harvest peak, nearly 50 seasonal laborers are hired to pick the chilies, further boosting local employment.

The conversion of degraded rice fields into Green J-chili plots is proving to be a highly promising shift for the people of Tuần Giáo. These heavily laden chili plants are a testament to a powerful transformation that is unlocking the potential of exhausted soil. Following more than three months of cultivation starting in February 2026, the first rows of Green J-chilies began providing staggered harvests that will continue through June 2026.

The atmosphere at the Đoàn Kết Hưng Thịnh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative is currently one of joyful urgency as members and villagers rush to harvest the crop. With yields estimated at 50 tons per hectare, the once-dry earth has been reborn. Lê Đình Đạo, the Director of the cooperative, shared that following the success of this first season, the unit plans to expand the cultivation area to over 20 hectares. Participating farmers receive “hands-on” training in everything from soil preparation and seeding to fertilization and pest control, all following safe technical standards. The cooperative remains committed to providing seeds, transferring technology, and guaranteeing product buybacks to ensure long-term sustainability.

In Phủ village, Lò Văn Tươi currently leases more than 4,000 square meters to grow Green J-chilies. Since the beginning of the season, his fields have yielded nearly 4 tons of fruit, which sold at a price of VND 5,800 per kg. He emphasized that compared to traditional rice cultivation, Green J-chilies are much more economically efficient, providing higher yields and a steady livelihood while turning previously inefficient plots into sustainable sources of income.

Quàng Văn Cương, Chairman of the Tuần Giáo commune People’s Committee, stated that within the goal of agricultural restructuring, the commune has successfully trialed the Green J-chili model alongside flagship crops like coffee and macadamia. Based on these early successes, the local government will continue to encourage residents to convert their degraded lands. By coordinating with cooperatives to provide technical support and seeds, the commune aims to expand the growing area and brighten the dreams of prosperity for families across the homeland.