Establishing 'multivalued-step terraced field' for the Northern midland and mountainous regions

On April 15, MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan delivered a speech at the Conference on Developing and Implementing Political Bureau Resolution 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022, on the Directions for Socio-Economic Development, National Defense, and Security Assurance in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Areas by 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Multivalue

"I'd like to begin by telling the story of "Mu Cang Chai farms rice to sell fragrancy." Rice growing in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai province is unsurpassed in terms of yield, productivity, and scale to other localities with large rice granary," he began the address.

However, if we know how to bring and use the specialized and unique characteristics of ethnic minorities' nature, landscape, soil, and culture, terraced fields may provide integrated, widespread, and sustainable value. This is an approach that adheres to the spirit of the Political Bureau's Resolution 11 NQ/TW: "Transforming agriculture in the Northern Midlands and mountainous area toward commodities, safe, clean, organic, sustainable, and specialized production."

Agriculture, according to the agriculture industry's leader, cannot be shown by simple "production thinking," but must be transformed into "economic thinking," moving from "single-value" to "integrated multivalue," or, in other words, "optimizing added value per unit area."

Previously, we evaluated and viewed a region's, locality's, or land's socioeconomic potential and capabilities by examining tangible resources such as soil, geographic conditions, natural resources, and labor forces.

However, we should keep in mind that, in addition to the limited material assets, intangible resources such as "cultural sources" and "social sources" are limitless and priceless. The extremely rich, profound, and bold "culture sources," "social sources," may serve as a special focus for agricultural production and trade, as well as provide an impetus for the northern midlands and mountainous areas.

Minister Le Minh Hoan explained that numerous agricultural production and commercial models in leading agricultural countries achieve great efficiency via the use of unique and different methods. These include the distinctive climate and soil properties, as well as unique cultural attractiveness, particularly the culture of long-established ethnic communities. It is also a dedication to agricultural production methods and procedures that are kind, safe, and ecologically sustainable, with a primary focus on consumer health.

"By referencing effective models, MARD is implementing, connecting enterprises, scientists, and experts to exchange, discuss, and pilot appropriate agriculture models, thereby promoting the strength and uniqueness of each region, contributing to livelihood and income improvement, as well as the improvement of farmers' life quality," the speaker noted.

A feasible approach is to combine agricultural and community-based experiential tourism, and to promote and market traditional and regional OCOP goods on the premise of promoting priceless values derived from abundant indigent resources. Sending the message "converging values, expanding culture," through each agricultural product, each agricultural tourist service, and the unique characteristics of the people and culture of the Northern midland and mountainous areas.

Additionally, it is necessary to place a priority on a sustainable forestry economy, resolving not to trade environmental degradation, biodiversity, and natural imbalances for growth. Not only is a tree, or a forest, important in terms of wood mining and processing, but it is also regarded as a natural resource due to its "multi-use" and "multi-functional" features.

Along with its economic worth as a source of raw wood, the forest serves as a habitat for wild creatures, a place to explore natural landscapes, a place to maintain biodiversity, and a place to absorb carbon dioxide. These seemingly invisible values contribute to the creation of a harmonious and hospitable living area for people and nature. Balancing the environment enables people to enjoy nature's "gifts."

Additionally, there are a variety of natural herbs with a high nutritional value. Pristine forest canopy and natural medicine industry will be the new values pursued and initially achieved by Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Lai Chau, and many other locations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is directing the "Program for the economic development of multi-purpose forests."

"We are placing orders for institutes and research schools to conduct a study on the varieties and cultivation techniques of trees growing beneath the forest canopy, including medicinal plants, spices, and attractive blooms, as well as to provide policy support from production to market connectivity. The breathtaking sceneries of lakes, rivers, and streams combined with aquaculture, as well as the green of the mountains and woods, will entice travelers to come and experience and nourish their love of nature. The concept of "golden forest" inherited by our forefathers carries several profound meanings, not only the exploitation of timber and rare goods with a "single value" attitude, the MARD head stressed.

Must move together

Mr. Le Minh Hoan believes that to complete the tasks and solutions necessary to develop agriculture in the Northern midland and mountainous region toward commodities, safe, clean, organic, green, and specialty production, human resources are critical – specifically, the active participation of farmers, ethnic minorities, and the community. The human aspect is truly the driving force, the impetus to achieve a significant breakthrough in this field under difficulties and limited conditions.

There should be efforts to update knowledge through teaching farmers at the village level via facility-based agricultural extension staff. We urge farmers to engage in models of association, collaboration, and community cohesion institutions through our training programs.

Are the benefits of collaboration and the significance of cooperatives well recognized, might the saying "If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you wish to go far, travel in the company" be infused. Farmers, ethnic minorities, and communities collaborate in agricultural-rural tourism activities. Collaboratively restore the historic craft village. Conserve and promote indigenous cultural values and resources together. Collaborating to enhance the quality of life.

Simultaneously, it is necessary to boost the top role of active elements such as small and medium-sized start-ups to generate new models. It is vital to foster positive changes in the way farmers, ethnic minorities, and communities think and act, from daily routines and habits to agriculture and production in the Northern midland and mountainous areas. 

"I had the good fortune to meet several dynamic and motivated young individuals from ethnic minorities who had begun professions in agriculture and community tourism. That is the owner of the cooperative in Tuyen Quang, who traveled alone by train to the south to introduce fresh Ham Yen sanh oranges, which are cultivated organically, following a safe agricultural procedure.

The operator of the tourism accommodation in Van Ho, Son La worked tirelessly to innovate methods of doing, thinking and serving to provide the most welcoming, friendly, and unforgettable experience possible for local and international travelers. Khang A Tua, who is passionate about pursuing an education and is always agonizing: "I believe the highlands do not require further schools.  Because schools in the Highlands are almost certainly adequate. We need to "develop" instructors and "develop" more teaching approaches."

That is the narrative of the residents of the community-based tourism villages of Sin Suoi Ho and Lai Chau, who are determined to alter their fate, take control of their future, and breathe new life into a picturesque town that was once a hotbed of drug activity," the minister revealed.

According to the minister, each move, regardless of how little it is made by the farmer or ethnic minority population, would result in a turning point, a positive consequence. Thus, it can be seen that, in addition to providing material conditions or physical resources, it is vital to strive for "accompaniment and energizing" to go deeper, progressively eliciting and establishing the new core, basic, and sustainable values.

If the changes occurring in the Northern midlands and mountainous areas are activated and expanded through the policy of creating highways and border-gate logistics zones, they will attract prospective enterprises and awaken this beautiful land's sleeping potential.

With the leadership of the Party, the attention of the State and the National Assembly, the close direction of the Government, the active participation of ministries and branches, the participation of the whole political system, and above all, it is the determination of the authorities and the people of the Northern midland and mountainous regions, a new way of thinking, doing things, the convergence of indigenous knowledge, and unique culture would form "multi-valued-step terraced field" firmly and moving closer to the goal of "green, sustainable and comprehensive development" as set out in Resolution 11", Minister Le Minh Hoan concluded the speech.