Điện Biên has a strong advantage in rice production, with the Mường Thanh field, the largest in the Northwestern region, covering more than 140km². However, recently, the area of rice cultivation in the province has been declining, especially in deep, remote areas that lack irrigation infrastructure and water for production.

Several reasons have contributed to the reduction in rice cultivation area. Firstly, the unpredictable weather, natural disasters, and droughts have made large areas of rice fields unproductive, affecting planting plans. For instance, in the spring of 2025, the province’s rice planting area was 9,763.24ha, almost 60ha less than in the spring of 2024. Specifically, in Điện Biên district, nearly 33ha of land in Mường Pồn, Thanh Xương, and Núa Ngam were affected by natural disasters and flooding that could not be repaired, while some areas lacked water for production. In the remaining districts of Mường Chà, Tủa Chùa, Mường Nhé, and Điện Biên Đông, areas were left fallow due to a lack of water, with some plots switched to growing vegetables.

In addition to factors such as water scarcity and crop restructuring, the reduction in rice production area is partly due to land use conversion for construction projects. For instance, at the end of 2024, the provincial People’s Council passed a resolution approving the list of projects that involve land reclamation for rice and forest land, covering 27.16ha. These include Thanh Hưng and Thanh Chăn urban residential quarters in Điện Biên, which will reclaim 24.20ha of two-crop rice fields; the Hoa Ba supermarket project in Tuần Giáo, expected to reclaim 0.41ha of two-crop rice land… Other projects such as the rural electrification project for the national grid in Điện Biên from 2021 to 2025 also included land reclamation for rice production.

Moreover, there is an issue of encroachment and unauthorized conversion of rice fields. For example, on March 24, 2025, Thanh Trường ward in Điện Biên Phủ city, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, recorded a violation involving Nguyễn Hữu Phục, a resident of the ward’s Residential Quarter 9. He was found to have unlawfully converted rice land into non-agricultural land without permission. The investigation found that he had filled 2,545m² of land, with 1,089m² having concrete foundations.

By 2025, the total area of grain crops (mainly rice) is estimated to reach 78,459.07ha, a decrease of 1,825.23ha compared to 2020, due to land conversion for construction projects. In the same period, the province lost 5,203.76ha of land designated for rice farming, with 54.92ha of two-crop rice land, 569.21ha of single-crop rice, and 4,776.63ha of upland rice. Additionally, some farmers with better conditions have completely switched their rice fields to other crops, buying rice from the market instead. Furthermore, urbanization has also affected the area for rice cultivation.

Recognizing that protecting and developing rice farming land is essential to ensure the province’s food security, the province has directed relevant sectors and local authorities to enhance management and protection of rice land. Specifically, the government has implemented Decree No. 35/2015/ND-CP on the effective management and use of rice farming land, and Decree No. 62/2019/ND-CP amending Decree 35/2015/ND-CP. From 2021 to 2024, localities in the province have received VND 23.56 billion from funds for the protection and development of rice farming land, and VND 205.048 billion from the central government to manage and use rice land effectively.

On September 11, 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 112/2024/ND-CP, detailing regulations on rice farming land. At the end of 2024, the provincial People’s Council passed a resolution setting the principles, scope, standards, and funding for rice farming land support. Specifically, at least 50% of the funds are allocated to support land users who grow rice, apply legal rice varieties, and adopt modern production methods. A maximum of 30% is allocated for the repair and maintenance of agricultural infrastructure, while the remainder is used to improve soil quality and create maps for rice farming areas. This initiative aims to restore and protect rice farming land, effectively manage rice fields, and prevent unauthorized land conversion.