Ngày nhận bài: 03-07-2025 / Ngày xuất bản: 03-07-2025
Vegetable production has contributed to improving the livelihoods of many farmers in Lao Cai province as well as in the Northwest region of Vietnam. However, there are both technical and marketing issues constraining the development of efficient vegetable farming systems in the province. This study aimed to understand the opportunities and challenges to the development of the vegetable sector in Bac Ha district. The study conducted interviews with 105 vegetable producers of different vegetable farming systems, organized four focus group discussions with members of two vegetable co-operatives, and conducted in-depth interviews with the leaders of three vegetable production and marketing co-operatives and 5 vegetable traders. The findings indicate opportunities for vegetable production including increasing demand for vegetables at wet-markets, and the potential for the development of high quality vegetable production by utilizing local favorable natural conditions for off-season vegetables and high in nutrient indigenous vegetables. Some of the challenges to local vegetable production and marketing identified by the study were the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, outbreaks of pests and diseases, and a poor marketing system. Recommendations have been made on strengthening both the technical and marketing capacities for local vegetable producers and moving value-chains from supplying bulk-products for local wet-markets to producing products with assured attributes demanded by the larger regional market. The study also highlights the need for future research interventions with a focus on improving the value chains of vegetable production in Bac Ha district with the goal of achieving sustainable livelihoods for the local farmers and environmental sustainability.
