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The mountainous commune of Muong Tung has a large natural area and is home to many ethnic minority communities, with several highland villages still recording high rates of poor and near-poor households. In recent years, agricultural production has continuously faced challenges from climate change, including extreme heat and prolonged drought. Rising prices of agricultural inputs have also placed heavy pressure on farmers’ livelihoods.

Against this backdrop, the Commune Farmers’ Association has identified poverty reduction as a central task, closely linked with the movement “Farmers compete in excellent production and business, unite to help one another become prosperous and achieve sustainable poverty reduction.”

Handicrafts bring multiple values to local farmers. (Photo: Duy Linh)

According to Sung Thi Mai, Chairwoman of the Muong Tung Commune Farmers’ Association, to ensure the movement delivers substantive results, the Association has implemented a range of fundamental solutions. First and foremost, it has intensified communication and advocacy to encourage farmers to restructure crops and livestock, while motivating them to boldly apply scientific and technological advances and introduce new, high-yield varieties into production.

In addition to Party and State policies supporting farmers’ livelihood development, the Association has coordinated with the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to manage and act as a trustee for preferential loan capital for its members. To date, the total outstanding loans managed by the Association in the commune have reached VND 17.304 billion, benefiting 302 households and enabling them to invest in expanding production and developing their economies.

At the same time, technical transfer training courses and short-term vocational training programs are regularly organized for members. The Association has focused on building and scaling up effective production models, notably the “household garden with intercropped fruit trees” model in Muong Tung, which helps farmers increase income on the same area of land.

“The Association plays a supporting and connecting role, but the core force that determines success or failure is the members themselves. Seeing households escape poverty and build legitimate prosperity through their own labor is our greatest joy,” Sung Thi Mai emphasized.

The Party Committee and People’s Committee of Muong Tung Commune always create favorable conditions for farmers’ association members to develop their economy. (Photo: Duy Linh)

These sustained efforts have initially yielded positive results. In 2025, the commune recorded 29 households recognized as outstanding producers and business operators at various levels. Many households have achieved average annual incomes of VND 50-100 million, with some reaching VND 150-200 million per year, such as the households of Nguyen Huu Thuy and Mua Thi Chu (Trung Dinh Village), and Lo Thi Xuyen (Pom Cai Village). These are exemplary nuclei with strong spillover effects within the community.

“We identify that poverty reduction must be sustainable; therefore, farmers need support ranging from capital and technical assistance to market access for their products. In the coming year, the Association will continue to intensify emulation movements, focusing on guiding the establishment of at least one production-consumption linkage chain and developing OCOP products to enhance the value of agricultural goods,” Sung Thi Mai added, outlining the Association’s future orientations.

Agricultural products of Muong Tung farmers’ association members are highly appreciated by consumers. (Photo: Duy Linh)

This confidence is further reinforced by the members themselves. Lo Thi Lan, a member of the Pom Cai Village Farmers’ Association, shared: “Thanks to the Association’s support in accessing loans and participating in livestock husbandry training courses, my family has expanded our pig herd. Our income is more stable now, and life is somewhat less strenuous. I hope the Association will continue to support farmers in disease prevention for livestock and in finding stable markets for products.”

In its orientation for 2026, the Muong Tung Commune Farmers’ Association aims to provide vocational training for 60-80 members, mobilize 100% of members engaged in production and business to commit to food safety standards, and strive to equip 60% of members with digital skills. These targets reflect a determination to achieve comprehensive poverty reduction, not only economically, but also in improving quality of life, making rural Muong Tung increasingly “bright, green, clean, and beautiful.”

Mua Thanh Son, Secretary of the Muong Tung Commune Party Committee, affirmed: “The Party Committee highly values the role of the Farmers’ Association in local socio-economic development. We will continue to create the most favorable conditions for the Association to promote its role as a bridge, providing consultation and proposing practical support policies for farmers, thereby contributing to the achievement of poverty reduction goals.”

With solidarity and concerted efforts across the entire political system, alongside the consensus of local residents, the poverty reduction movement initiated and led by the Muong Tung Commune Farmers’ Association is opening up bright prospects, contributing to the realization of the goal of building a prosperous, civilized, and modern new rural area in Dien Bien.

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