Currently, the winter production movement is spreading strongly, not only in the Điện Biên basin but also in highland and border communes. From small initial models, many households have boldly expanded their scale, restructuring crops towards commodity production and bringing in stable incomes.

To promote winter production, Điện Biên province has implemented many practical support policies in recent years, creating motivation to encourage farmers to expand their scale. Examples include the agricultural extension policy under Decision No.02/2021/QĐ-UBND dated January 19, 2021; Decision No.11/2024/QĐ-UBND dated April 24, 2024, of the provincial People’s Committee, along with policies supporting agro-forestry production aimed at restructuring the agricultural sector. These policies have helped people boldly invest, apply science and technology, appropriately restructure crops, and expand winter production towards a commodity-based model.

In the 2024 winter crop, the entire province planted about 2,000ha of various crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, and vegetables, achieving a total output of over 29,200 tons, with an estimated value of over VND 206 billion. Vegetables and beans accounted for the largest share at 1,419.7ha, with an output of over 26,200 tons, bringing in a value of over VND 183 billion. Other crops like corn, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soybeans, potatoes, and winter melon all had good yields, contributing to raising incomes and utilizing land effectively.

These results have created an important foundation for Điện Biên to implement the 2025 winter crop plan. According to the plan, the total cultivated area will reach 2,162.6ha, with an estimated output of 29,438.3 tons. This includes 342.3ha of corn (1,277.4 tons), 205.1ha of peanuts (274 tons), 86ha of soybeans (121.7 tons), 68ha of sweet potatoes (884 tons), 8ha of potatoes (124 tons), and 15ha of winter melon (240 tons). The vegetable and bean group alone accounts for the largest area with 1,438.2ha, with an estimated output of 26,517.2 tons. Currently, farmers in various localities are urgently planting and caring for their crops within the seasonal timeframe.

Lò Thị Minh, a farmer in Mường Thanh ward, shared excitedly: “In recent years, planting winter corn has become an effective production direction for my family. In 2024, I received technical training and support with seeds and fertilizer to plant 3,000m² of hybrid waxy corn, so the plants grew well and had a good yield, helping to increase my income. This winter crop, I expanded the area to 5,000m². Currently, the corn is growing well.”

According to functional agencies, this winter season is likely to see an early arrival of cold air, with intense and harmful cold spells. Complex and unpredictable weather developments will affect the planting schedule, growth, and yield of crops, especially short-day vegetables. In addition, production infrastructure such as irrigation and intra-field transport in some areas is still limited, causing difficulties for irrigation and transportation.

According to Chu Thị Thanh Xuân, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the sector has proposed many flexible solutions suitable for each locality. Commune and ward People’s Committees are proactively building specific plans, clearly defining crop structure, seasonality, and technical measures to respond to extreme weather. Communication and mobilization of farmers are being promoted, encouraging the expansion of winter crop areas, especially for vegetables and beans to serve demand at the end of the year.

The agriculture sector provides clear guidance on seed structure: Warm-weather crops like corn, beans, and leafy greens are recommended for planting before October, prioritizing short-day varieties that can tolerate seasonal transitions. Cold-weather crops like potatoes, cabbage, and cauliflower are planted after October to take advantage of favorable weather. People are encouraged to stagger their planting to avoid simultaneous harvesting, limit the risk of product surplus, and prevent price drops. The province is currently replicating models of crop structure conversion on inefficient rice land, introducing high-value winter crops into production. Many models of growing safe vegetables, organic vegetables, sweet potatoes, winter melon, and sweet corn in linkage chains have shown positive results. Some cooperatives are proactively linking with businesses to guarantee consumption, stabilizing outlets and reducing risks for farmers.

In 2025, winter production continues to aim for area expansion and increased product value, moving towards sustainable commodity production. Organizing production in linkage chains, tied to market demand, and applying advanced technology will be key factors in gradually building brands for characteristic agricultural products. In the context of increasingly evident climate change, winter production requires proactivity, flexibility, and synchronization from direction to implementation. This will contribute significantly to the growth of the agricultural sector and the improvement of farmers’ lives.