Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for stronger efforts to harness the natural potential of the Northwestern region, stressing the need to turn its vast mountains and forests into material wealth through stronger agricultural development and linkages between businesses and local communities.

PM Chinh made the direction on March 8 while visiting a macadamia cultivation model in Huoi Tao B village, Pu Nhi commune, Dien Bien province.

The project, invested in by HD Kinh Bac JSC, covers a total area of 761.7 ha. Macadamia trees have been planted since 2021, and about 470 ha have been cultivated so far. Of the total, 450 ha are directly managed by the enterprise, while 20 ha are grown by 27 local households of Thai and Mong ethnic minority groups.

Before joining the project, most of the land had been used for traditional crops such as upland rice, maize and cassava, which brought relatively low economic returns, with only about 1.5–3 million VND per ha.

The plantation is expected to start producing its first harvest in 2027. When the trees reach stable production, their economic value is projected to increase significantly. By the 10th year, the output is estimated at around 10 kg per tree, generating an income of more than 80 million VND per ha.

Visiting the plantation, PM Chinh said coffee and macadamia trees could both be developed in the region. However, he emphasised that initial support is essential, suggesting assistance for the first five years for macadamia and the first three years for coffee.

The Government leader asked local authorities to improve planning, avoid fragmented cultivation and instead promote business links and market access.

He also stressed the importance of applying science and technology, improving crop quality and productivity, developing processing capacity and building product brands and packaging, as well as establishing links between enterprises and farmers or suitable cooperatives.

Under such models, businesses will support the supply of seedlings and fertilisers, while banks will provide credit and scientific and technical organisations will assist with technology, he noted.

During his working visit, the PM also presented gifts and commended several households with outstanding achievements in macadamia cultivation and household economic development.

He encouraged local residents to explore additional crops and livestock suitable for intercropping in order to maximise land use efficiency. Farmers were also urged to strengthen cooperation with one another and with businesses by joining cooperatives, consolidating land resources and working together to expand production and improve incomes./.