In 2024, agricultural production maintained a robust growth rate, with many indicators meeting or exceeding the planned targets. The province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in the agricultural, forestry, and fishery sector reached VNĐ 2,549.6 billion, an increase of 4.06% compared to the same period last year.

Food production continued to improve in both product structure and production quality. The total food output is estimated at 286,962.29 tons, reaching 101.79% of the annual set plan.

The production of the province’s key industrial crops continues to be maintained and developed, with new planting areas further expanding through production development support funds.

The growth rate of the livestock herd is relatively stable. The total number of livestock herd (buffaloes, cows, pigs) is estimated to reach 571,273, an increase of 1.67% compared to 2023, achieving 99.19% of the annual set plan. The total aquaculture area is estimated at 2,744.41 hectares.  The entire province has planted 946.16 hectares of concentrated forest, achieving 209.8% of the plan. The management and protection of forests, as well as forest fire prevention and control, witnessed positive changes.

In 2024, Điện Biên Province has one district-level unit submitting dossiers for recognition of completing the task of new-style rural area building. As of now, the province has 5 communes meeting the advanced new-style rural standards; 26 out of 115 communes achieving new-style rural standards; and 33 communes meeting between 15 and 18 criteria in building new-style rural areas.

In 2025, the Điện Biên Province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has identified 10 key tasks, focusing on the following fields: continuing to review, refine, and implement synchronously important projects related to agricultural, forestry, irrigation, and aquaculture production, in combination with the program of building new-style rural areas.

The department targets to enhance the restructuring of the agricultural sector according to the projects and plans of the provincial People’s Committee; strengthen the communication and dissemination of forestry laws; effectively implement forest management, protection, and fire prevention; ensure no hotspots of forestry law violations arise; well roll out the program of building new-style rural areas for the period 2021-2025, in combination with conducting social welfare policies.

At the same time, the department will promote high-tech agriculture vigorously, applying scientific and technological advancements into production processes; innovate production forms; enhance the quality and effectiveness of irrigation work and disaster prevention efforts; closely coordinate with localities and relevant units to effectively roll out policies on supporting agricultural and rural development.

The conference discussed several issues, including:  Implementing the national target program on new-style rural area building;  converting crop structure and restructuring the agricultural sector; disbursing fundings for national target programs through projects for macadamia and coffee cultivation; promote quality of forest management and protection; and developing high-quality rice in the province.

Representatives from enterprises in the agricultural sector requested that the provincial People’s Committee and the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development should provide more supportive policies to help resolve difficulties, enabling local businesses to deploy agricultural projects.  

In his speech at the conference, Mr. Lò Văn Tiến, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Điện Biên Province, acknowledged and highly appreciated the achievements of the agricultural sector in 2024.

In order to achieve the goals and plans for 2025, he asked the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to focus on the following tasks: Further advising the provincial People’s Committee to submit proposals to higher levels for the concretization of supportive policies related to agriculture and rural development; organizing the final evaluation of programs and projects according to Resolution No.09 of the provincial Party Committee; and continuing to effectively implement the Agricultural Restructuring Project.

Meanwhile, the department should carry out review, summary, and confirmation of which agricultural models can be multiplied across the province.

For rural development, the department should advise the provincial People’s Committee to reassess the criteria for communes that have achieved new-style rural area status and those with enhanced standards. At the same time, it needs to focus on building a sustainable forest management plan for the province.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister awarded the Certificate of merit to 14 individuals in the agricultural sector of the province for their outstanding task performance in the 2019-2023 period.

Phạm Trung