Yen Bai Promotes Green and Sustainable Agricultural Production

In the face of increasing impacts from climate change, water scarcity, and rising input costs, farmers in Yen Bai have been actively exploring and applying technical solutions that both enhance production efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Among these, one breakthrough and increasingly widespread solution is the use of plastic mulch on crop beds - a model of green agriculture rooted in sustainable practices.

According to agricultural experts, mulching not only helps cut costs but also protects the environment and restores soil ecosystems. The thin plastic film prevents water evaporation, reduces irrigation needs, prevents fertilizer runoff, and retains nutrients for crops. Notably, the black or silver color of the mulch blocks sunlight from reaching the soil, inhibiting weed growth and disrupting the habitat of harmful pests.

Ms. Ha Thi Duc, a resident of Thanh Luong commune, Nghia Lo town, shared: "Applying mulch requires careful research to select the right type for each crop and bed, and to ensure proper ventilation to avoid overheating the soil. Through implementation, we have found that using mulch can increase crop yields by 30–35%, produce more uniform agricultural products, and reduce the use of pesticides. These are major advantages in building a safe and sustainable agricultural model.”

In addition to crop cultivation, animal husbandry in Yen Bai has also adopted circular economy principles by processing waste and making use of agricultural by-products at various scales. The farm of Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh in Thanh Giang village, Au Lau commune, Yen Bai City is a prime example. In 2023, he boldly invested in facilities to raise breeding pigs using a closed-loop process. His farm is systematically constructed, with dedicated areas for sows and piglets, and a biogas system for treating waste. The livestock area is well-ventilated, cleaned regularly, disinfected, and isolated from the surrounding environment. It is equipped with exhaust fans, automatic feeding and drinking systems, and a temperature control system to maintain stable conditions in the barn.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh said: "To ensure safe farming and prevent environmental pollution, I collect all manure in bags for resale and have built a biogas and filtration system to treat wastewater, ensuring clean water output and avoiding contamination.”

Green agriculture (GA) contributes to creating closed production chains, making efficient use of one product’s by-products to support the development of another.

In recent years, Yen Bai Province has consistently integrated programs, mechanisms, and policies that promote agricultural production in line with established standards and certifications related to food safety and sustainability, such as VietGAP, organic, GlobalGAP, UTZ, and Fairtrade Certification. Currently, the province has nearly 50 agricultural models certified for VietGAP, organic, or food safety standards, covering over 1,000 hectares. These primarily include crops like tea and organic cinnamon, as well as greenhouse vegetable farming, large-scale field models, integrated crop–aquaculture farming, VietGAP-standard fruit cultivation, and livestock and crop models utilizing agricultural by-products.

Farmers in Yen Bai are gradually turning the vision of green agriculture into reality—on their fields and in their farms - producing high-value products and contributing to a sustainable agricultural future for the entire community.