In the fields of Na Quang 1 village, Bac Ha commune, there are long, lush beds of planthoppers, cabbage, and green cabbage. From early morning, people have been present in the fields, some are carving roots, some are picking grass, some are taking advantage of the soil to sow for production.
Mr. Ly Van Nam, a vegetable grower for more than 10 years, shared while laughing: "This year, my family is taking advantage of the cultivation of plum trees with an area of about 1,500 m2 of land for cabbage, cat's feet, plant Sol, mustard... If planted early, the efficiency will be very high. Working hard but in exchange for beautiful vegetables, traders keep asking to buy them. During Tet, the price is always higher than usual".
According to Mr. Nam, the winter-spring crop is always a "golden crop", because consumption demand has increased sharply. Cat's cabbage, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi... are often ordered in advance by wholesale markets in the province.
"We have been trained to apply science and technology, so vegetables grown with less disease and higher productivity. In recent years, growing vegetables has earned a stable income, 3 times higher than growing rice, Mr. Nam added.
Along the fields in Bac Ha commune, there is also a peak period of production. The sound of motorbikes coming in and out in between is the sound of people calling each other to work, handling the soil for cultivation.
Mr. Vang Van Sen, head of Na Quang 1 village, shared that in the past, people grew rice on a low income. For every 1,000 m2, about 3 quintals of rice are gathered, selling for just over 4 million.
"People here grow alternating and continuously, so their income from growing green vegetables is very stable compared to rice. With an area of 1,000 m2 of vegetables, each year we earn 70-80 million VND. Early vegetables such as cabbage are about 20 thousand VND/kg, 3-4 kohlrabi are also about 15 thousand VND," said Mr. Sen.
According to Mr. Sen, people are extremely excited when the government allows people to switch to growing vegetables. With high incomes from growing vegetables, the lives of the people have also been increasingly improved.
According to the reporter's records at the end of November, due to stable vegetable prices, people are busy farming in the fields. Along with that, thanks to the commune government for technical support, providing quality varieties and guiding people to produce according to safety standards to link consumption.
Mr. Phung Duc Toan - Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Bac Ha commune said that Bac Ha commune is a place that is given preferential climate and soil by nature to grow temperate vegetables to bring high income to the people.
In 2025, the commune will grow about 150 hectares of winter vegetables, mainly cabbage, kohlrabi, cauliflower... focusing on those that are in high demand for Tet. We instruct people to expand safe vegetable areas, making the most of the land area to develop winter vegetables.
The income from vegetables can be from 160-180 million VND/ha to produce winter vegetables. At the same time, organize propaganda for people to grow vegetables early to avoid shortages of goods. And cooperate with organic vegetable growing cooperatives to ensure products for people to export to Hanoi and supermarkets, said Mr. Toan.
The lush green vegetable beds in the cold weather are not only a source of income for people in the highlands but also become an important economic support at the end of the year.
Bac Ha people are counting the days to harvest the first batch of vegetables, hoping for a bumper and more fulfilling Tet season.
