(HBO) – Phase II of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) programme has been carried out by Hoa Binh province Farmers’ Association since 2019. It aims to raise capacity of forest growers, families, women, youths and people of ethnic minority groups, facilitating poverty reduction and climate change adaptation.
Officers of the
provincial Farmers’ Association survey, assess a beekeeping model in Phase II of
the FFF programme in Tu Ne commune (Tan Lac district).
The association surveyed and decided to implement the
programme in An Binh commune (Lac Thuy district) and the communes of Dong Lai
and Tu Ne (Tan Lac district). Its project management board joined hands with local
authorities and Farmers’ Associations of districts and communes to set up key
groups at the communal level.
Training courses were arranged for members of the groups to
improve their skills and promote understanding of teamwork’s benefits, in a bid
to develop forests and farms along with keeping with environmental protection.
They were hoped to help women, youths and people of ethnic
minority groups in sustainable production of agro-forestry-fishery goods,
raising values of forests and improving landscapes and income.
The Muong Cu forest growing and beekeeping group in Cu
village of Tu Ne commune is said to be among the most effective models operated
by farmers. At present, 20 farmer households join the group, keeping a total of
600 colonies of honey bee.
Through the FFF programme, members were able to take part in
training courses in beekeeping, business skills and policy dissemination, among
others.
After one year of implementation, Phase II of the FFF programme
has seen initial results, creating a driving force for the community and
farmers to continue activities in the forest-based sector.
Three cooperatives have been set up and run effectively,
generating jobs for local workers.
The programme also facilitated the establishment of two
groups on beekeeping and growing citrus trees in Tu Ne commune, a group on
organic pomelo cultivation in Dong Lai commune (Tan Lac ditrict) and a model of
raising chickens in An Binh commune (Lac Thuy).
Products of the groups and cooperatives are shipped to various
markets with stable prices. Tens of local workhands earn stable jobs with an
average monthly income of 5 million VND (215 USD)./.
Dao Village’s honey – a product certified with a 3-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) rating by Thong Nhat Agricultural Cooperative in Dao Village (Hoa Binh City) – is highly regarded by consumers for its quality, richness, and variety in packaging. The distinctively sweet taste of Dao Village’s honey leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has tried it.
In alignment with Project No. 07-DA/TU, issued by the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee on November 1, 2021, Lac Thuy district has actively promoted investment and supported the sustainable development of its industrial and handicraft sectors during the 2021–2025 period. Alongside this, the district has remained committed to preserving and revitalising traditional craft villages.
Located in the northern part of Lac Thuy district, with a temperate climate and fertile soil, Phu Thanh commune has great potential and advantages in growing tea. The long-standing experience, combined with strict adherence to organic farming practices in the tea gardens, ensures that the dried tea products from Phu Thanh and Lac Thuy as a whole are sold out immediately upon production, providing a stable and prosperous life for the local people.
Amid efforts to streamline the administrative apparatus, Hoa Binh province has intensified measures to address challenges in land clearance, resettlement support, and infrastructure investment, aiming to speed up the progress of key projects.
Hoa Binh province has posted an unprecedented economic growth rate of 12.76% in the first quarter of 2025, marking its highest quarterly performance to date and positioning it as the second fastest-growing locality in the country, trailing only Bac Giang province.
Under current regulations, products in the One Commune – One Product (OCOP) programme that are rated three stars or higher must undergo re-evaluation every three months. However, in reality, some of these products fail to consistently meet the required standards, raising concerns about the sustainability of their OCOP certification. This underscores the urgent need for producers to enhance product quality and gradually develop their OCOP products into strong, marketable brands.