From April to the present, officers and soldiers have overcome difficulties, joining hands with localities to effectively develop coffee and macadamia raw material zones, contributing to agricultural restructuring goals and driving provincial socioeconomic growth.

For the 2026-2030 period, Điện Biên continues to identify agriculture as a vital pillar of the economy. Concretizing this orientation, the Executive Board of the provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No.11 on restructuring the agricultural sector toward concentrated, green, smart, and sustainable commodity production for the 2026-2030 period, with orientations toward 2035. The provincial People’s Committee also issued Plan No.1850/KH-UBND on organizing hole-digging, new planting of coffee and macadamia, and piloting low-altitude economic development models in 2026, engaging the entire political system from provincial to grassroots levels.

Immediately after Plan No.1850/KH-UBND was promulgated, the provincial Military Command established a Steering Committee and assisting teams, assigning specific duties to each agency and unit to ensure clear personnel, clear duties, and clear responsibilities. In a prompt and decisive spirit, Steering Committee members coordinated regularly, alternating inspections, urging progress, and encouraging forces carrying out tasks at the grassroots. The provincial Military Party Committee issued a specialized resolution guiding the execution of “Campaign 1850”, thoroughly briefing 100% of cadres, Party members, and soldiers across the force to create unity in awareness and action. Simultaneously, it identified this as a key military and defense priority for 2026 and subsequent years.

In early April, the provincial Military Command launched the campaign simultaneously across communes to dig planting holes and prepare for the new 2026 coffee and macadamia crop. After more than a month of implementation, officers and soldiers of the provincial Military Command contributed over 13,279 workdays, digging more than 1.3 million holes across 463.7 ha in 39 communes and wards throughout the province. Alongside force deployment, the provincial Military Command coordinated and mobilized resources to procure 125 excavators, 100 sets of personal protective equipment (clothing, boots, gloves, protective glasses), and other tools such as hoes, shovels, and crowbars to equip forces during task execution.

Senior Colonel Trịnh Đức Thiêm, Member of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee and Commander of the provincial Military Command, stated: “After more than a month of executing the campaign, 100% of officers and soldiers of the provincial Military Command demonstrated unity and resolve, overcoming challenges to accomplish the mission of supporting localities in digging planting holes for coffee and macadamia in 2026. The successful campaign helped localities and households accelerate progress, secure seasonal planting schedules, and fulfill 2026 agricultural restructuring targets.”

Alongside the provincial Military Command, Regiment 82 deployed forces to assist localities in digging holes for coffee and macadamia. From April 3 to May 8, officers and soldiers of Regiment 82 mobilized 170 personnel contributing thousands of workdays, assisting in digging 621,074 coffee holes and 4,674 macadamia holes for 486 households across 11 communes in the province.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hồng Sơn, Deputy Chief of Staff of Regiment 82, shared: “The regiment thoroughly grasped the mission, proactively formulating concrete plans aligned with local realities, while assigning forces rationally under the principle of clear personnel, clear duties, and clear responsibilities. Communication and mobilization work were conducted regularly, thereby raising awareness, building consensus, and strengthening military-civilian ties. During execution, the unit coordinated closely with local Party committees and authorities, directly working alongside residents to restructure crop patterns, progressively improving production efficiency and income.”

Mường Ảng was the first locality to receive assistance from provincial armed forces in digging planting holes for coffee and macadamia.

On April 3, more than 400 officers and soldiers, together with cadres from mass organizations and socio-political bodies in the commune, launched the campaign to dig planting holes in Pá Liếng village. Within a short time, supported by these forces, Pá Liếng village completed nearly 73,000 planting holes for coffee and macadamia across nearly 21 ha, significantly reducing land preparation time for local farmers. To date, the village has completed 100% of its newly registered planting area.

The family of Hờ Trá Tổng in Pá Liếng village was among the households supported by soldiers in digging coffee planting holes. This year, his family converted nearly 2 ha of land to coffee cultivation. Hờ Trá Tổng shared: “Digging holes and planting coffee requires substantial labor, but with few family members, progress was slow. With soldiers providing support, our family saved considerable labor, and planting progress accelerated. As a result, my family completed planting 100% of the area on schedule.”

In 2026, executing Plan No.1850/KH-UBND, Mường Ảng commune was assigned to plant 150 ha of coffee and 150 ha of intercropped macadamia. Thanks to the armed forces’ support, Mường Ảng commune completed land preparation in May, allowing timely planting within the seasonal window. To date, Mường Ảng commune has completed 100% of its 2026 coffee and macadamia planting plan.

Hà Thị Thanh Tâm, Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Mường Ảng commune, stated: “Support from officers and soldiers of the provincial Military Command carries special significance for Mường Ảng commune. Assisting in digging holes and planting coffee and macadamia helped residents reduce labor workdays and speed up production schedules. This is a highly meaningful partnership with the locality in cultivating high-value crops and steadily improving residents’ income.”

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the provincial armed forces assisted in digging 1,292,112 holes for coffee and macadamia, helping localities secure progress, seasonality, and quality. By August 15, the entire province planted 18,203.73 ha, reaching 151.7% of the plan, including 11,967.81 ha of coffee and 6,235.92 ha of macadamia.

From workdays on the hillsides to emerging green seasons, the companionship of the armed forces has added resources to turn agricultural restructuring policies into reality. Beyond helping farmers meet seasonal schedules, soldiers contribute to strengthening trust and deepening military-civilian bonds, creating a solid foundation for sustainable socioeconomic development in Điện Biên.