agricultural development in the Northern mountainous midland provinces towards Sustainability

1
INTRODUCTION

1- The necessity of this research
The Northern mountainous midlands is the most majestic mountainous region of
Vietnam where most of the ethnic minority people reside (35/54 ethnicities) and where exists
the longest border land with the People’s Republic of China (over 1500 km) and The People’s
Republic and Socialist of Laos (560 km). Therefore, The Northern mountainous midlands plays
a key role in the socio-ecomic development, the environment protection and the country’s
defence as well.
Acknowledging the important location of the Northern moutainous midland provinces
in the cause of building and protecting the homeland, in the recent years, especially since Đoi
moi (Innovation), the Communist Party and the Government of Vietnam have always paid
special attention to the comprehensive development of this area. Hence, the economy of the
whole area has rapidly improved in many aspects like food, housing, transportation, study,
electricity, water supply and media ; basically, the security in the area is stable.
However, as a mountainous area with poor infrastructure, scattering population and low
educational level, the main and important production is agriculture despite the fact that industry,
commerce and service have been developed. Agriculture, particularly cultivation, livestock and
forestry, is the key for job and income; and ensure the lives of the majority of people in the area.
Currently, agriculture in the Northern mountainous midland provinces is facing serious
challenges in its development, which are:
-Firstly, limited land for agriculture, only 1,571,100 ha, accounting for 14.94% of the
total land for nationwide agriculture, but it is located in different levels of terrains; and the
quality of the land is poor. It is noticeable that the total land area for agriculture has been
narrowing down due to the changes in the purposes of land use (for indutrial development,
such as hydropower, mining, commerce, services, tourism and urban development) and land
erosion because of flood.
-Secondly, Northern moutainous midland provinces has the largest forestry area in the
whole country (5,662,700 ha, accounting for 34.79% of the total land for forestry

nationwide). Forests in the Northern mountainous midland provinces protect the land and
water resources and regulate the climate not only for the area but also for the whole Northern
delta. However, the forestry area has been quickly decreased over the past years; in Son La
province, forest only covers over 10%.
-Thirdly, the Northern mountainous midland provinces is the region with rich water
sources (many rivers, streams, ponds and lakes) but due to improper use of water, water
resources in the region are increasingly exhausted and polluted, causing difficulties in
agricultural production.
-Fourthly, due to objective and subjective reasons such as mass development, short-
term benefits, limited understanding in agricultural production, farmers have used chemical
fertilizers, pesticides for crops, preventive medicines for cattle and poultry, the chemicals in
protection and storage of agricultural products that contaminates and destroys the land and
water sources, which has been leaving greatly effects on agricultural production of the region
in the future.
- Fifthly, with the poor and backward infrastructure of the whole socio-economic region

2
in general, the infrastructure for the region's agricultural production in particular, it's very
worrying that agricultural production methods extremely is outdated, mainly on household
and extensive cultivation.
- Then, agricultural activities in the region mainly rely on human labour, but there is a
limited number of qualified employees in all aspects, especially the level of knowledge of
agricultural science and technology is limited; income and living standard are better than
before but still among of the lowest in the country.
-Finally, border with China of over 1,500km, a market with over 1.3 billion people, is a
significant advantage in the consumption of agricultural products. However, China is a
complex market, their pressure on the agricultural development of the region is quite huge,
especially in a complicated relation.
The difficulties and challenges mentioned aboves how that if maintaining the
agricultural development methods in the Northern mountainous midlands as present, it will

certainly bring serious consequences to the region in particular and to the whole country in
general in many ways.
Accordingly, the researcher selected the topic of "Agricultural Development in the
Northern mountainous midland provinces towards Sustainability" to conduct the PhD thesis
in development economy.

2- Research objectives
Overall objective:
Systematizing the theoretical issues of sustainable development in general and
sustainable development of agriculture in particular, the thesis analyzes, assesses the current
agricultural development status of the Northern mountainous midland provinces in a
sustainable way in the past years and proposes recommendations to promote the rapid
development of sustainable agriculture from now until 2020.
Specific objectives:
-To present the theory of agricultural development towards sustainability.
-To analyze and assess the current status of agricultural development in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces in a sustainable way in the past years.
-To propose direction and recommendations to promote the rapid development of
sustainable agriculture from now until 2020.

3- Research target and scope
The research target of this thesis is sustainable agriculture development, in which,
agriculture is defined as cultivation, forestry and fishery. However, due to the fact that the
Northern mountainous midlands has limited water surface, the position of fishery in
agriculture is low, this research thesis mainly focused on cultivation, livestock and forestry.
Sustainable development includes three aspects: economic, social and environmental.
However, due tothe limitations of the materials, the social and environmental aspects are
addressed at acertain level in this thesis, not strictly following the theory.

Location: the researchwas conducted in 14 provinces of the region (with comparison to

other regions in the country).

3

Time: study and assess agricultural development in the Northern mountainous midland
provinces in the period 2000 to 2012 and propose solutions to improve the sustainability of
agriculture in the future period of 2013to 2020.

4- Research approaches and methodologies
*Research approach:
To successfully fulfill the set objectives, the researcher has applied the following
approaches:
-Firstly, from theory to practice: the thesis followed the concepts, definitions,
evaluation criterria that have been concluded and recognized by the international community
for the review and assessment of the current situation of agricultural development industry
towards sustainability in the Northern mountainous midland provinces of Vietnam, and for
identifying successes and limitations as well as the root causes of this situation. From that,
the thesis recommended scientific and feasible solutions for the sustainable development of
regional agriculture in the coming period.
-Secondly,from macro to micro: from the directions and policies of the Communist
Party of Vietnam and the Government of Vietnam in developing a sustainable agriculture in
order to analyze and assess the implementation of these directions and policies of the local
authorities, production establishment sand people.
-Thirdly,from theory to practice, from micro to macro: from the situation of local
agricultural development towards sustainability in The Northern mountainous midlands, the
research concluded a number of issues to complement the theory for development of a
sustainable agriculture in general, and amendment and improvement of directions and
policies of the Party and Government on this issue.
- Fourthly,inter-sector and inter-region approach: research on the development of
sustainable agriculture in The Northern mountainous midlands must be done in the context of

close relationship with other industries and other sectors in the province, as well as with other
regions in the country.
- Next, systematic approach: recognized the problem through a systematic and hierarchy
structure, which is a comprehensive and dynamic approach. This approach helps to analyze
the dialectical relationship between the elements of sustainable development including
economic, social and environmental.
- Lastly, institutional approach is the approach that enables the analysis of the
implementation of government policies and regulations, from that identifying the solutions
that suitable with specific characteristic so The Northern mountainous midlands, creating
driving force for the development.

*Research methodologies:
The key research methodologies in this research are:
-Data collection:
+ Data collection through reports and documents: Data was collected through statistic
yearbooks, reports from Northern midland provinces and related studies in the area.
+ Field research: For a solid basis for the analysis and evaluation of the state of
sustainable in Northern mountainous midland, which may suggest some recommendations

4
for the development process in the future, the researcher has conducted fieldwork in some
areasthat have better agricultural development than other areas in the region.
+ Consulting experts:This is a way of data collection through consultation with experts,
scientists, managers who are knowledgeable about the research topic.
- Data synthesis and cleaning:
The thesis have summarized theories and researches related to sustainable development
and sustainable agricultural development in general, and agricultural development in a
sustainable way for The Northern mountainous midlands of Vietnam in particular. Synthesis
method was also be used in the collection and processing of documentation related to the
content of the research thesis.

Data synthesis was conducted in following stages:
+ Searched and synthesized the research of international scientists and organizations
about sustainable development of a specific country, region, or a specific industry and
economic.
+ Collected researches of scientists, managers, research institutes, universities in
Vietnam about sustainable socio-economic development of the country in general or
sustainable development for the region, an industry or a certain sector in particular, that have
been published.
+ Collected the doctoral and master thesis studied issues related to development of
sustainable agriculture in the local Northern mountainous midlands (developed plants crop
and livestock, and methods of agricultural production, training to farmers,etc.)
+ Gathered statistics on agricultural development to the country in general and of each
province in the Northern mountainous midlands in particular. In addition, the researcher also
visited some districts in the region to collect data on agricultural development.
- Data analysis:
-Dialectic methodology: This method is used throughout the thesis, especially when
analyzing the interaction between socio-economics and environment in sustainable
agriculture development, as well asthe impact of investing resources in that development
process.
-Synthesis methodology: The thesis summarized theories and researches related to
sustainable development in general and agricultural sustainable development in particular, to
solve problems in agricultural development towards sustainability in the Northern
mountainous midlands of Vietnam. Synthesis method was also used in data collection and
processing.
-Historical comparision methodology: The stability-based process of agriculral
development of the Northern mountainous midland provinces is not only analysed, collated
and compared through each developing stages of this area but also compared with other areas
over the country.

5- Contributions of this research

-This research paper systematizes and clarifies the concepts related to sustainable
agricultural development, especially the concept, definition and evaluation criteria; develops
a theorical framework for studies on sustainable agricultural development in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces.

5
-This research paper applies the theorical framework that developed to analyze the
situation of sustainable agricultural development in the Northern mountainous midland
provinces from 2000 to now.
-This research paper provides a system of ideas, orientation and solutions to expedite
the process of sustainable agricultural development of the region.

6-Structure of the research
Apart from Introduction, Conclusion, Reference and Annexes, this research paper
consists of 4 chapters:
Chapter 1: Literature review of related national and international researches
Chapter 2: Theories and practices of the sustainable agricultural development
Chapter 3: Situation of the sustainable agricultural development in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces in the period of 2000-2012
Chapter 4: Recommendations for improvement of the sustainability of agricultural
development in the Northern moutainous midlands region until 2020.


6
CHAPTER 1
LITERATURE REVIEW

The thesis mentioned 6 overseas and 21 domestic researches. From these researches, a number
of issues are clearly shown, as below:
- Firstly, it is affirmable that researches overseas and domestic have given a clear picture of

sustainable development, from definition to content and indicators of evaluation that countries all
over the world basically agree with. Certainly, depending on the certain context of each country, in
each development stage, there is an emphasis on one point or the other.
- Secondly, agricultural development towards sustainability has already been mentioned
in a number of researches, however, merely in the range of one or a couple of agricultural
products and within a province or a district.
- Thirdly, particularly with the Northern mountainous midland region, there have been
researches directly or indirectly addressing sustainability-oriented agricultural production
development, yet the scopes of these researches are limited at a particular product, in a particular
locality. There has not been any research project on sustainable agricultural development in the
entire region.
Provinces located in the Northern mountainous midland region share similarity in their
natural, economic and social conditions and have close relation with the Red River Delta,
specifically the weather, climate and water sources. This region is also important in terms of
national defense. Therefore, it is needed to develop sustainable agriculture in the whole region so
as to ensure the ecological balance of the region and the Red River Delta. This is a gap that has
not been tackled by previous researches. This thesis will try to fill this gap.
There are a large number of researches related to sustainable agricultural development.
It must be said that conducted researches in Vietnam and elsewhere have been analysed
comprehensively and thoroughly about sustainable development in general and sustainable
agricultural development in particular. Nevertheless, these researches either discussed on
sustainable development generally or sustainable agricultural development specifically at the
macro level or at a certain sector or locality; there is yet a research on agricultural
development towards sustainability in the Northern mountainous midland provinces, in both
theoretical and practical aspects.




7

CHAPTER 2
THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT


2.1- Perception of sustainable development
The content of sustainable development is defined to comprise three pillars
1
:
(i) Economic sustainability: Ensuring stable, long-term and efficient economic growth;
(ii) Social sustainability: Ensuring social equality and human development;
(iii) Environmental sustainability: Exploiting and utilizing natural resources properly,
preserving and continously improving the quality of living environment, ensuring that people
enjoy their lives in a clean, healthy and safe environment, which harmonizes the relations between
the people, the society and the nature.
Figure 2.1: Three pillars of sustainable development













Three pillars of sustainable development mentioned above are targets to achieve in the

development process, as well as features of the development process in the modern context.

2.2-Sustainable agricultural development
2.2.1.Agriculture and features of agricultural production
Agriculture, in a narrow sense includes cultivation, husbandry and agricultural services
(services in agricultural production), while in a broaden sense it also covers forestry and
fishery. In this thesis, the researcher will study agriculture in its broaden sense.
Agricultural production differs from other production, the differences are:
a- If in other economic industries land is only a condition and a basis for production,
business and services, in agricultural production it is the key material for production, a
special irreplaceable material.
b- In other industries, production time almost coincides with labour time, this is not the
case in agricultural production. In agricultural production, especially cultivation, production
time and labour time are quite different. The reason is beside the time being influenced by
human, plants and animals are also effected by other natural factors including physical,


1
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Dr. Bui Duc Tuan, Economic Development Textbook, National
Economics University, 2012.
Sustainable
development
Environmental
target
Social
target
Economic
target
Economy
Society

Environment
SD

8
chemical and biological elements. Under these two types of intervention, plants and animals
survive, grow and provide valuable products. Thus, labour time in agriculture are regularly in
turns with production time, this makes labour in agriculture always seasonal.
As a result, addressing the seasonal labour in agriculture is a critical requirement of
sustainable agricultural development in all countries around the world.
c- Objects of production in other industries are lifeless and inanimate things, while
objects of production in agriculture are living plants and animals, having their own rules of
growth and development. Therefore, understanding these rules and making proper
intervention will help them grow well and produce quality products that ensure sustainability,
otherwise human beings will have to face with unexpected consequences.

2.2.2- Sustainable agricultural development and indicators for evaluation
Generally, sustainable agricultural development is similar to sustainable economic
development in ensuring three pillars: economic sustainability, social sustainability and
environment sustainability. In 1992, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation
(FAO) defined sustainable agricultural development as: “the management and conservation
of the natural resource base, and the orientation of technological and institutional change in
such a manner as to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for
present and future generations. Such sustainable development (in the agriculture, forestry
and fisheries sectors) conserves land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, is
environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable and socially
acceptable”. Nevertheless, due to the characteristics of agricultural production as mentioned
above, sustainability in each aspect has its unique features.
Economic sustainability:
In agriculture, economic sustainability is understood as the steady increase of
productivity and yield of crops and livestock in each certain stage.

To evaluate economic sustainability in agricultural development, many indicators can
be used, however, following are the most important in our opinion:
- Productivity of crops (unit: cwt/ha)
- Productivity of livestock (unit: kg/animal or liter/animal/year as for milk)
- Production value of the entire agriculture sector (in broaden sense) and of each sub-
sector (agriculture, forestry, fishery).
- Growth rate of overall agricultural production, of each individual sub-sector, or of
each specific product (this indicator is calculated in %)
- Production value on each hecta of agriculture land, unit: million VND/ha (given the
features of agricultural production, land used for production is divided into 3 types)
- Production value generated by 1 labour (unit: million VND/1 person). This indicator
can also be used for each sub-sector or each product depending on purpose of calculation.
- Proportion of sub-sectors of agricultural production (agriculture, forestry and fisheries)
and proportion of smaller divisions within each sub-sector (in narrow sense of agriculture,

9
they are cultivation, husbandry and supportive agricultural services). This indicator is
calculated in percentage that each sub-sector or division accounts for.
- Yield of grain products per capita. Unit: kg / person / year.
Social sustainability:
There are many social requirements in regard to sustainable agricultural development,
but the most important one is to raise incomes of the population quickly and ensure fairness
in the enjoyment of the fruits that development brought about. There are several indicators to
determine social sustainability of agricultural development, in our perspective, the following
are the most important:
- The average income per household member/ month (unit: 1000 VND/ person/ month).
- The poverty rate (in %).
- Ratio of literacy of adults.
Environmental sustainability:
Here are key indicators often used to reflect the environmental sustainability of

production development:
- The area of degraded land.
- The area of improperly irrigated land.
- The forest area and forest coverage rate
- The number of incidents and areas of forest fire and destroyed forest

2.3- Factors influencing sustainable development of agricultural production
There are objective and subjective factors that influence the sustainable development of
agricultural production, in summary, there are 3 groups as below:
- First, factors of natural condition: have great impacts to sustainable development of
agricultural production
- Second, factors of economic condition: many factors fall in this group, namely
infrastructure and facilities for agricultural production, policy system, development
of market system, etc.
- Third, factors of social condition: have quite a lot of impacts to agricultural
development towards sustainability, noticably education level and population
distribution.

2.4- Best practice on sustainable agricultural development in other countries and
territories
2.4.1- Best practice of the Netherlands
2.4.2. Best practice of South Korea
2.4.3- Best practice of Thailand
2.4.4- Best practice of China
2.4.5- Lessons learnt for Vietnam in general, for Northern mountainous midland
provinces in particular in terms of sustainable agricultural development
- First of all, in order to develop agriculture in a sustainable way, the decisive

10
factor is having strong supports from the State, particularly to difficult areas, ethnic minority

areas, mountainous areas, remoted and distanced areas. The State’s supports must be given in
various aspects, in a suitable timeframe and ideally through national programmes. The State
must provide a policy system that actually encourages the mobilization of all economic
sectors to actively invest in developing agricultural production in a sustainable way.
- Second, in order to develop the agriculture in a sustainable way, it is needed to
follow seriously and efficiently the motto: "coordination of the State and the People”. The
State plays a very important role, however, the State does not do the work on behalf of
farmers. The State merely creates a favourable conditions for the farmers to promote their
ability in agricultural development, as well as makes an initial push to create a momentum
for the farmers to continue their path (certainly, the State shall always supervise and support
farmers should they meet difficulties or obstacles). Specifically, the State issues incentive
policies for agricultural development, especially land policy, credit policy, science and
technology policy, pricing policy, taxation policy, etc., as well as provides partial supports
for physical resources (seeds, animal feed and supplies, machinery, equipment, finance, etc.)
to farmers to facilitate the production and business activities.
-Third, experiences from other countries have shown that in order to develop
agriculture in a sustainable way, the State and the people must focus on addressing
comprehensively various economic, technical and management issues. Above all, it is
required to rapidly set up modern facilities; to timely apply advanced science and technology
in production and trading; and to quickly train and build capacity of qualified human
resource meeting the demand for development.




11
CHAPTER 3
CURRENT SITUATION OF SUSTAINABLEAGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS
MIDLAND PROVINCES IN THE PERIOD OF 2000 TO 2012

3.1- Natural, social economic features of the Northern mountains midland
provinces related to sustainable agricultural development
3.1.1- Natural features
Table 3.1: Generalizing the basic situation of the Northern mountains midland
provinces in 2012

No
Province
Natural land
(1.000 ha)
Agricultural
land
(1.000 ha)
Forestry
land (1.000
ha)
Population in
2012 (1.000
person)
1
Ha Giang
791.5
152.6
548.2
763.5
2
Cao Bang
670.8
94.4

534.0
515.2
3
Bac Kan
485.9
36.5
378.7
320.5
4
Tuyen Quang
586.7
82.5
446.9
712.1
5
Lao Cai
638.4
83.4
333.6
646.8
6
Yen Bai
688.6
107.8
474.1
764.4
7
Thai Nguyen
353.5
108.7

180.2
1,150.2
8
Lang Son
832.1
106.3
559.9
740.8
9
Bac Giang
384.9
129.6
140.1
1,588.5
10
Phu Tho
353.3
98.5
178.6
1,340.8
11
Đien Bien
956.3
154.4
602.1
519.3
12
Lai Chau
906.9
89.7

418.7
403.2
13
Son La
1,417.4
261.5
624.6
1,134.3
14
Hoa Binh
460.8
65.2
688.3
806.1
15
Total
9,527.1
1,571.1
5,708.0
11,405.7

% compare
with national
28.78
14.94
37.13
12.84
Source: GSO, 2012

The table above shows that the Northern mountains midland provinces areas account

for 28.78% of the country's, but the populationaccounted for only 12.84%. Agricultural land
accounts for 14.94% of the of the country's agricultureland area, forestry land areas account
for 37.13%. This is shown that the forestry sector plays a very important role for the
development of the region. Among the 14 provinces of the Northern mountainous midland
area, Phu Tho has the smallest natural area with 353,300 ha, and Son La has the largest with
1,417.5 million ha. The province with a smallest population is Bac Kan with 320,500 people
and with a largest population is Bac Giang with 1,588.5 million people.

12
3.1.2- Economic features
Due to the complex terrain and deeply divided, the Northern mountainous midland
provinces have the poor economic conditions, including notably:
- Infrastructure development to serve the economic, social and environmental development
of the area was invested by the Communist Party and the Government but still backward.
- Despite the region's economy has shifted and developed rapidly in recent years, it has
shifted and developed by backward knowledge in limited scale. (this is generally in the region
also has a number of local qualified relatively well developed as Lao Cai, Lang Son, Thai
Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Giang).
3.1.3- Social features
The Northern mountainous midland provinces is largely inhabited by ethnic minorities
in our country (more than 30 different ethnic groups), including notably the ethnic Thai, Tay,
Nung, Muong, H .Mong, Knives, Khomu, Resistance, Giay Unless the Kinh people, the
other ethnic groups, the most populous nation and only about 1 million people, and the most
a few tens of thousands of people, even some ethnic people populationis just under 1
thousand.
- History and development of The Northern mountainous midland provinces tied to the
history and development of the people of Vietnam.
- Natural conditions are complex and fragmented, poor infrastructure, underdeveloped
economic, ethnic minorities much and lower intellectual level and has brought no less a
disadvantage in terms of social opportunity for the region, especially the problem of poverty,

the existence of old traditions, social evils, and taking advantage of this weakness to instigate
people against the authorities, against the regime of social socialist enemy.

3.2- Current stituation of the development of agricultural production of the
Northern mountainous midland provinces from 2000 to 2012
3.2.1- Agricultural production growth and stable continuous
From 2000 to 2012, all the three sectors: agriculture, forestry and fisheries of the region
had a relatively well developed.


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Figure 3.2 : The value of Agricultural-Foresty and Aquatic Production in the
Northern mountainous midland provinces 2000 to 2010

Source: GSO, 2005, 2010

3.2.2-Crop industry grows steadily over the years:

Appendix: Productivity and yield of local maize of the Northern mountainous midland
provinces from 2000 to 2012
Unit: 100kg/ha, 1,000 tons
Provinces
2000
2003
2005
2007
2008
2010

2012
1-Ha Giang







-Productivity
17.2
19.5
21.0
20.9
24.1
28.0
31.8
-Yield
71.7
88.0
92.6
90.7
111.7
133.4
167.2
2-Cao Bang

-Productivity
24.1
26.0
27.3
29.3
29.3
29.6
32.5
-Yield
75.8
86.2
96.1
109.1
112.7
113.8
127.7
3-Bac Kan







-Productivity
21.4
26.5

27.3
34.5
35.0
36.7
37.2
-Yield
21.2
35.0
39.8
55.6
58.4
58.3
61.4
4-Tuyen Quang







-Productivity
33.0
37.6
40.7
41.4
41.2
42.3
43.1
-Yield

38.6
53.0
59.9
73.2
66.7
70.2
60.4
5-Lao Cai







-Productivity
17.0
23.3
24.2
28.5
28.0
32.4
34.0
-Yield
38.3
57.3
64.6
75.8
80.7
100.8

114.6
6-Yen Bai







-Productivity
19.7
22.9
23.5
25.3
26.0
28.5
30.6
-Yield
19.5
26.3
33.4
39.9
45.3
64.3
75.5
7-Thai Nguyen

-Productivity
28.8
32.6
34.7
42.0
41.1
42.1
42.2
-Yield
30.8
43.7
55.1
74.8
84.6
75.4
75.5
8-Lang Son







-Productivity
35.3
41.1

43.4
46.6
45.8
47.9
47.8

14
-Yield
44.8
61.7
79.8
89.0
94.9
96.8
104.3
9-Bac Giang







-Productivity
25.8
28.2
33.3
35.0
32.7
36.5

39.1
-Yield
29.4
29.0
44.3
49.7
51.0
44.9
33.6
10-Phu Tho







-Productivity
26.2
34.5
36.8
38.1
38.7
43.7
45.5
-Yield
42.5
66.5
74.8
82.2

89.5
90.4
79.1
11-Đien Bien







-Productivity
-
-
19.3
20.7
22.2
23.1
24.5
-Yield
-
-
49.1
56.5
64.3
67.3
71.6
12-Lai Chau

-Productivity
-
-
18.1
21.1
22.1
25.5
26.9
-Yield
-
-
28.9
37.5
40.2
48.5
57.3
13-Son La







-Productivity

26.3
31.1
28.2
37.7
38.1
31.5
39.2
-Yield
135.8
200.9
228.0
444.0
503.5
418.5
524.2
14-Hoa Binh







-Productivity
22.7
26.6
28.7
36.4
39.3
40.3

39.7
-Yield
48.8
74.3
96.9
123.7
141.1
144.5
143.8
15-Region yield
23.9
28.2
29.2
32.9
33.6
33.2
36.3
16-Nation yield
27.5
34.4
36.0
39.3
40.1
40.9
43.0
17-Region
productivity
640.4
883.0
1,043.3

1,401.7
1,544.6
1,527.1
1,696.2
18-% compare with
nation
31.9
28.2
27.5
32,6
33.8
33.1
35.3
Source: GSO 2005, 2010, 2012

Table 3.3:Value horticultural products per 1 ha of arable land
of the Northern mountainous midland provinces
Unit: Million VND
No
Province
2008
2009
2010
2011
1
Ha Giang
17.72
22.17
22.00
27.12

2
Cao Bang
18.64
22.19
24.15
25.41
3
Bac Kan
14.88
23.38
32.62
39.18
4
Tuyen Quang
37.26
39.67
50.21
58.61
5
Lao Cai
24.23
30.08
31.71
37.01
6
Yen Bai
27.98
32.22
33.79
38.35

7
Thai Nguyen
35.48
40.10
44.43
52.86
8
Lang Son
22.31
26.28
39.90
40.82
9
Bac Giang
39.48
41.05
46.75
57.29
10
Phu Tho
43.90
48.34
51.64
61.23
11
Đien Bien
15.31
18.28
23.66
28.02

12
Lai Chau
8.60
9.54
10.14
12.69
13
Son La
15.76
18.32
19.47
30.86
14
Hoa Binh
39.99
46.11
55.47
65.68
15
Regional Average
25.17
28.62
32.78
39.91
16
National Average
43.89
45.52
54.56
72.24

Source: GSO, 2012.

The table above shows that, there is still a small gap between the value horticultural

15
products per 1 ha of arable land in the Northern mountainous midland provinces in
comparison withthe national average, but it had regular and not small progress from 2008 to
2011.
3.2.3-The livestock sector of the local area has gradually developed towards
commodity production
Appendix 3:Current Development status of the livestock sector in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces period 2000 to 2012
Unit: 1.000 animals
Provinces
2000
2003
2005
2007
2008
2010
2012
1-Ha Giang







-Buffalows

132.2
133.0
138.1
147.0
146.4
158.3
158.7
-Cows
54.6
65.6
72.7
84.3
90.1
101.7
103.8
-Pigs
248.0
290.6
329.1
352.9
373.0
431.7
449.5
-Poultry
1,223.0
2,055.0
2,139.0
2,595.0
2,742.0
3,041.0

3,166.0
2-Cao Bang







-Buffalows
108.7
108.8
112.5
117.4
107.1
109.3
100.8
-Cows
104.3
114.5
124.4
129.5
123.1
129.8
121.1
-Pigs
245.0
284.1
308.8
310.8

322.3
339.8
356.0
-Poultry
1,549.0
1,845.0
1,968.0
2,089.0
2,113.0
2,145.0
1,975.0
3-Bac Kan







-Buffalows
87.0
81.7
83.0
87.9
77.7
73.9
53.0
-Cows
32.5
35.3

38.6
44.9
36.2
27.1
20.2
-Pigs
157.2
154.0
157.7
155.0
164.1
193.2
178.9
-Poultry
1,227.0
1,208.0
1,205.0
1,012.0
1,200.0
1,182.0
1,142.0
4-Tuyen Quang







-Buffalows

137.4
129.5
133.1
143.2
145.1
146.6
104.9
-Cows
19.3
32.5
43.0
55.3
56.2
46.7
18.4
-Pigs
266.1
315.0
343.0
418.1
441.1
519.6
419.9
-Poultry
2,432.0
3,982.0
4,374.0
3,032.0
3,611.0
5,118.0

3,519.0
5-Lao Cai







-Buffalows
100.3
124.4
106.7
127.0
125.5
134.9
123.7
-Cows
17.6
19.2
19.5
23.9
23.3
23.4
16.3
-Pigs
229.1
342.9
334.4
353.4

382.1
459.3
413.3
-Poultry
1,376.0
2,100.0
1,981.0
2,506.0
2,623.0
2,881.0
2,390.0
6-Yen Bai







-Buffalows
83.3
93.2
101.1
111.7
110.0
112.4
97.4
-Cows
30.1
26.5

28.1
38.8
36.5
34.3
19.0
-Pigs
283.0
321.2
354.4
376.0
397.8
422.6
423.3
-Poultry
2,411.0
2,674.0
2,507.0
2,784.0
2,881.0
3,097.0
3,363.0
7-Thai Nguyen







-Buffalows

135.9
114.7
111.1
108.6
106.9
93.5
70.6
-Cows
23.4
32.4
43.3
57.0
55.0
42.9
34.8
-Pigs
348.1
465.9
519.3
509.0
529.2
577.5
514.8
-Poultry
2,621.0
4,818.0
4,669.0
5,071.0
5,295.0
6,823.0

7,564.0
8-Lang Son







-Buffalows
188.8
188.2
188.5
182.2
160.9
155.3
122.7
-Cows
42.5
48.4
52.7
57.1
50.4
44.3
31.9
-Pigs
277.5
333.6
350.6
332.8

372.7
369.0
328.4
-Poultry
2,962.0
3,641.0
3,703.0
3,055.0
3,284.0
3,758.0
3,330.0
9-Bac Giang







-Buffalows
125.3
94.2
92.0
91.2
87.3
83.7
68.8
-Cows
68.0
82.4

99.8
148.4
149.4
151.0
132.8
-Pigs
718.3
843.0
928.4
1,002.3
1,050.6
1,162.4
1,173.1

16
Provinces
2000
2003
2005
2007
2008
2010
2012
-Poultry
7,077.0
9,662.0
9,075.0
10,979.0
12,067.0
15,425.0

14,962.0
10-Phu Tho







-Buffalows
88.5
94.3
97.1
95.2
89.2
88.5
735.0
-Cows
100.5
105.2
129.3
163.4
142.8
122.1
91.9
-Pigs
448.3
530.4
568.0
552.3

593.0
665.7
658.0
-Poultry
6,559.0
7,757.0
7,887.0
8,068.0
8,495.0
11,127.0
9,499.0
11-Đien Bien







-Buffalows
-
-
99.6
105.2
107.9
115.4
1,162.0
-Cows
-
-

27.7
32.2
34.7
39.1
42.0
-Pigs
-
-
210.6
232.3
245.3
276.8
288.6
-Poultry
-
-
917.0
1,417.0
1,634.0
2,020.0
2,302.0
12-Lai Chau







-Buffalows

-
-
84.7
92.4
89.0
98.8
89.3
-Cows
-
-
12.4
12.4
13.6
15.1
14.9
-Pigs
-
-
155.8
160.6
179.4
209.6
181.4
-Poultry
-
-
526.0
853.0
900.0
1,011.0

915.0
13-Son La







-Buffalows
119.2
133.1
155.2
162.1
158.5
170.2
168.5
-Cows
87.6
106.4
119.9
159.9
169.8
191.3
196.5
-Pigs
340.4
441.0
476.0
405.1

460.8
523.8
535.3
-Poultry
2,016.0
3,306.0
3,402.0
4,848.0
5,014.0
4,890.0
4,604.0
14-Hoa Binh







-Buffalows
128.3
122.2
122.6
126.1
112.8
113.4
105.5
-Cows
48.0
56.5

64.3
81.7
77.8
72.9
61.0
-Pigs
294.7
370.6
410.3
398.0
416.0
451.2
426.4
-Poultry
2,323.0
3,543.0
3,483.0
3,383.0
3,588.0
3,882.0
3,876.0

Source: GSO 2005, 2010, 2012

The table above shows that, cattle, pigs and poultry in the Northern mountainous midland
provinces, from 2000 to 2012, were well developed.
3.2.4-The forestry industry in the provinces has growing concerns
Figure 3.3: Forestry production value of the Northern mountainous midland provinces
from 2000-2012 (price 1994 - 2012 price 2010)

Souce: GSO 2005, 2010, 2012
The table above shows that forestry production value throughout the Northern
mountainous midlands has grown relatively steadily over the years. 2012 compared with
2000, the value of the forest produced additional 443.2 billion, an average annual increase

17
was 44.32 billion. Two of the provinces are increasing relatively: Lang Son Province, adding
94.1 billion, an average annual increase 9.41 billion; Yen Bai province increased by 93.1
billion, an average annual increase of 9.31 billion. Unfortunately there are 2 provincial
forestry production value decreased significantly: Son La decreased 93.7 billion, an average
annual reduction of 9.37 billion; Cao Bang province decreased by 27.6 billion, an average
annual decrease of 2.76 billion.
3.2.5-Fisheries have also been growingly concerned in the Northern mountainous
midland provinces
Table 3.4: The value of fisheries production in the Northern mountainous midland
provinces period 2000-2010 (1994 prices) *
Unit: billion VND
No
Provinces
2000
2003
2005
2007
2008
2009
2010
1
Ha Giang
7.0
8.1

8.7
10.0
10.7
11.2
11.4
2
Cao Bang
2.0
2.3
2.5
2.9
2.9
2.8
2.8
3
Bac Kan
2.3
3.1
3.6
5.4
5.9
6.4
6.8
4
Tuyen Quang
11.5
13.2
16.2
21.6
25.7

27.4
29.0
5
Lao Cai
4.2
7.6
9.3
13.4
14.8
22.4
25.3
6
Yen Bai
9.7
22.2
29.0
34.8
37.8
41.4
45.2
7
Thai Nguyen
24.4
28.4
29.6
32.8
33.9
38.9
44.9
8

Lang Son
3.5
8.0
9.0
9.2
9.8
13.7
9.2
9
Bac Giang
49.0
57.1
66.3
88.7
111.4
145.8
168.5
10
Phu Tho
67.1
88.7
99.7
131.7
126.3
139.7
152.9
11
Đien Bien
-
-

6.2
7.7
9.6
9.9
10.1
12
Lai Chau
-
-
5.9
7.9
8.8
9.0
8.8
13
Son La
17.7
24.5
26.4
39.3
37.1
39.5
49.9
14
Hoa Binh
10.4
18.7
22.7
27.9
28.8

32.9
33.4
15
Region
213.0
287.2
334.8
433.3
463.5
541.0
598.2

The table above shows that, in 2010 compared to 2000, the production value of the fishery
sector throughout the region increased from 213 billion to 598.2 billion, an increase of 2.8 times.
Some provinces have very high growth rates: Yen Bai Province from 9.7 billion in 2000 increased
up to 45.2 billion in 2010, an increase of 4.6 times; Bac Giang province increased from 49 billion
VND up to 168.5 billion VND, 3.4 times.

3.2.6. The organizational forms of agricultural production has been paid attention to
reinforce and construct.
3.3–Assessment of the sustainability of agricultural development in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces
Based on some basic criteria outlined in Chapter 1, readers can review and see the
situation of the development of the sustainable agriculture in the Northern mountainous
midland provinces in Vietnam over time as follows:

18
3.3.1-Sustainable economy
Agricultural production has had better growth and increased steadily over the years,
especially productivity, crop production, livestock farming has basically met the increasing

demands for food of the ethnic minority groups living in the area. Based on the criteria:
production value, growth, crop yields, livestock, food production per capita, manufacturing
value obtained on 1ha. The thesis show that The Northern mountainous midland provinces
last time was initially developed in a sustainable way. However, such development is not
sustainable, in particular:
- First, the capacity of the plant is low.
Figure 3.6: Rice and maize yields in the period of 2000-2012

Source: GSO 2005, 2010, 2012
The diagram above shows the period from 2000 to 2012 rice yield as well as yield corn
of The Northern mountainous midland provinces has a relatively large distance compared to
the average productivity of the country.
- Second, the production values obtained on 1 ha and 1 labor day are low; value
horticultural products obtained per hectare of arable land from 25.17 million in 2008
increased to 39.91 million in 2011, however, this figure far apart compared to the average of
all water (72.24 million East by 55.2%), especially very low compared to the Red river Delta
(94.25-by 42.3% million) and the Mekong river delta (91,1million by 43.8%).



19
Figure 3.8: The structure of agricultural productionThe Northern
mountainous midland provinces 2000-2010
unit: %

Source: GSO, 2005, 2010.
3.3.2-Sustainability in society
Agriculture of The Northern mountainous midland provinces relatively developed,
have created favorable conditions, in which the most important is the financial condition of
the Party committees, governments and people here are addressed and development of social

problems. On the basis of the following criteria: per-capita income one month, the poverty
rate, the development of infrastructure. According to the author, socially initial agricultural
of The Northern mountainous midland provinces sustainable development. However, this
field is still difficult, in particular:
- Income per capita in May 2012 of the Northern mountainous midland provinces
reached 1,285,000 contracts, while North and Central coast is 1.469 million contract,
Highlands 1.631 million, and Mekong Delta is 1.785 million contract, the Red river Delta
and the Southeast 2.304 million contract was 3.241 million contract.
- The poverty rate of the northern mountainous province 2012 was 24.2%, while 18.6%
Highlands, North Central and South Central Coast is 16.7%, the Mekong Delta is 10.6%, the
Red River Delta is 6.1%, and the South East is 1.4%.
- Low income, low educational level, difficult communication conditions inevitably
lead to cultural life, spirit and people benefiting low.
3.3.3 – Sustainable in enviroment
Initial environmental issues has also been the lead agency of the local people's attention
and preserve, protect, especially the natural environment. The percentage of forest cover in
the area has increased from 33% in 1993 to 48.8% in 2010, however this area much longer
existed as well.
- Wastes from agricultural production and human-made environments the soil, the more
water pollution.
- The phenomenon of landslides, soil run off, flash floods happening more and more,
increasing damage.
- The phenomenon of forest fires is still increasing and a high proportion of the whole
country.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%

60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2000
2003
2005
2007
2008
2009
2010
79.34
81.59
82.68
83.97
83.95
83.7
83.49
18.97
16.45
15.23
13.78
13.64
13.56
13.63
1.690
1.960
2.090
2.250

2.410
2.740
2.880
Thuỷ sản
Lâm nghiệp
Nông nghiệp

20
Table 3.12: The forest area burnt in the Northern mountainous midland provinces
in the period 2000-2012
Unit: ha
No
Province
2000
2003
2005
2007
2009
2010
2012
1
Ha Giang
6.0
113.7
66.5
97.8
381.0
660.1
60.9
2

Cao Bang
47.0
190.3
64.9
75.8
95.7
433.0
40.3
3
Bac Kan
10.2
14.5
3.4
4.9
16.0
43.0
68.6
4
Tuyen Quang
2.1
97.1
32.1
82.6
5.0
9.3
2.2
5
Lao Cai
92.6
110.0

28.7
43.0
27.0
794.0
99.5
6
Yen Bai
3.4
274.1
190.1
709.2
201.4
917.9
22.9
7
Thai Nguyen
2.7
5.0
3.5
21.0
15.0
26.1
18.0
8
Lang Son
268.2
544.0
85.8
251.8
144.8

164.0
51.4
9
Bac Giang
5.8
34.2
17.2
59.0
23.9
28.1
23.3
10
Phu Tho
2.0
332.0
8.9
13.9
-
45.6
-
11
Đien Bien
47.3
313.6
876.9
151.8
34.6
32.4
85.4
12

Lai Chau
156.4
360.2
71.7
330.4
-
13
Son La
20.5
71.0
238.0
1,188.0
103.0
548.3
72.1
14
Hoa Binh
0.1
715.0
208.0
-
5.2
53.2
25.3
15
Region
507.9
2,814.0
1,980.4
3,059.0

1,124.3
4,085.4
569.9
16
Nation
1,045.9
5,510.6
6,829.3
5.136,4
1.658,0
6.723,3
1.324,9
17
% compare
with nation
48.6
51.1
29.0
59.6
67.8
60.8
43.0
Source: GSO 2005, 2010, 2012

The table above shows that except for 2005, burnt forest area of the Northern
mountainous province accounts for 29% of the country's forest fires, while the other five
were approximately 50% or more. In particular, in 2009 this percentage up to 67.81% and
60.71% in 2010 to. In 2012, forest fires in the region decreased, but the whole country has
a high level of 43%.
3.4. Evaluation of factors affecting the development of sustainable agriculture in

the Northern mountainous midland provinces
-The influence of natural conditions
Is the height above sea level, the large and fragmented terrain is complex, so the
locality northern mountainous province region made up of many small land areas, climate
pretty special weather conditions this has created favorable, but also brings difficulties for the
sustainable development of agriculture.
-The influence of social economic
+ First, the government has mobilized more capital to invest and build modern
infrastructure system of socio-economic in the Northern mountainous province, especially
the road system, communication system load and power supply, postal-system
telecommunication, school systems, hospitals ; as well as construction and development of
infrastructure systems, technology for production agriculture, especially irrigation-system

21
standards, system production plant varieties and livestock, fertilizer production system,
production forage production, plant protection systems and animal health, preservation
systems and processing agricultural products.
+ Second, the government has launched many programs, mechanisms and policies to
support the economic development of the society and the nation in general mountainous,
agricultural development sustainable agriculture industrial, rural highlands north in particular.
However, the policy of the Party and State are still some limitations:
- Planning of agricultural production is not good.
- The program supports the mountainous ethnic overlap, spreading investment, great
loss.
About farming practices are outdated, still producing extensive way, based on natural
and hereditary experience is key.
Market inputs and outputs of agricultural production midland provinces in the north
have formed quite strong and active. However, the market's been pretty badly governed
China.
- The influence of social conditions

Due to the complex topography, deeply divided, and the area has many ethnic
minorities live most of the country, so people living here quite dispersed and educational
level of the general population is relatively low. This situation has brought back to the
difficulties in building infrastructure and technical service of agricultural development, as
well as for making rapid advances in science and technology applications in agricultural
production. This difficulty is not small hindrance to the development of sustainable
agriculture in the region over time.






22
CHAPTER 4
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY
OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN
MOUNTAINOUS MIDLAND PROVINCES UNTIL 2020


4.1- Anticipation of the world and Vietnam’s context with impact to the
sustainable development of agricultural production in the Northern mountainous
midland provinces of Vietnam until 2020

4.1.1- The international context
In the coming time the world economy will witnessrather complicated developments
and newly emergedissues in the trend of sustainable development, integration, cooperation
and competition. The increasingly close connection and interdependence between countries,
on one hand create many opportunities for cooperation and development, but on the other
handalso create new difficulties and challenges, making negative fluctuations and economic

crisis easy to spread and deepen their impact.
All these factors will have alternative and multi-dimension influence on sustainable
agricultural development in The Northern mountainous midland provinces from now until
2020.

4.1.2- The context of Vietnam
After 25 years of implementing the renovation, establishment and development of the
socialist-oriented market economy, the country’s society and economy has had remarkable
growth. Compared to 25 years ago, the country’s status and power have changed completely, in
terms of:
- Economy, from a poor country where GDP per capita per year was below USD 200; in
2012 this number increased to USD 1,540, so the country has becomes one of the world’s
leading agricultural products export countries: taking the first rank in exporting pepper, the
second rank in exporting rice, and the third rank in exporting rubber, coffee, cashew nuts and so
on.
With the country’s potential, we are enabled to invest in many areas of economic, social
and environment development, including agriculture, rural areas and farmers.
- Regarding human resources, in 2005 the rate of trained labours accounted for 12.5%
of the total number of labours in the society; in 2010, the ratio has increased to 14.6%, in
which more than 2 million labours obtained university and graduate degrees.
- Regarding international cooperation, Vietnam had diplomatic relations and economic
ties with over 150 countries and territories in all continents. The total foreign direct
investment reached around 195 billion US dollars.
Apart from the above-mentioned advantages, we also face numerous difficulties,
namely natural disasters, complicated diseases, critical and spreading pollution, climate
change, especially sea level rise, which have become visible threats to the life and production
of people. The country’s economy will also have to cope with the increasingly fierceful
competition in the world and domestic markets, the interaction and dependence to the
world’s economy, as well as the higher risks from the integration and globalisation process.
Another major difficulty is our economy is not really sustainable, quality, productive

and efficient, its competitiveness remains weak. Despite the rapid economic growth, the
growth model is outdated and the economic structure is unsuitable.

23
4.1.3- Regional context
As production blooms, the income and living stardard of ethnic minority people are lifted
significantly. Their living conditions, housing, transportation, communication, learning and
healthcare are also better. People have more confidence in the leadership of the Party and the
State.
However, the Northern midlands and mountainous region has many difficulties in the
development. In which the most significant are: unsynchronised and outdated infrastructure, low
educational level; limited financial resources of the province and local people; scattered terrain,
infavourable weather; the constant and cunning sabotage of hostile forces, especially from China,
etc.
These advantages and disadvantages will have negative impact during the course of
agricultural development towards sustainability in The Northern mountainous midland provinces
in the years to come.

4.2- Key viewpoints in sustainable agricultural development in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces until 2020
From the reality of development in agriculture towards sustainability in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces recently, as well as from the anticipation of the world and
domestic contexts influencing sustainable agricultural development of the region in the coming
time, we believe that in order to succeed, provinces in this region must understand thoroughly the
following key viewpoints:
- First, sustainable agricultural development in the Northern midlands and mountainous
region until 2020 must be conducted comprehensively in all aspects.
- Second, sustainable agricultural development in the Northern midlands and
mountainous region until 2020 must be based on maximising the region’s advantages.

4.3- Main directions for sustainable agricultural development in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces until 2020
Overall direction is a strong development of agriculture, forestry and fishery towards
commodity, intensive production and sustainability, based on rational and efficient
exploitation of advantages in each locality in the region. By 2020, it is expected that efforts
be made to achieve the average of 85% to 90% of the country’s targets.

4.3.1- Cultivation
- Expand and invest intensive cultivation in areas of industrial crops, famous fruit trees
of the region: tea planting areas in Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho; lychee planting areas in Luc
Ngan, Bac Giang; plum planting areas in Bac Ha, Lao Cai; orange planting areas in Bac
Quang, Ha Giang; grapefruit planting areas in Doan Hung, Phu Tho; rubber areas in Lai
Chau, etc.
- Expand areas for vegetables and flowers. Create large-scale and specialised areas
cultivating vegetables and flowers in each locality, particularly locations with favourable
conditions of soil and weather like Sapa in Lao Cai, Moc Chau in Son La, suburb areas of
Lang Son city, etc.
In addition to vegetables and flowers, the Northern mountainous midland provinces also
enjoys great advantage in cultivating and exploiting medicinal herbs and plants.

4.3.2- Animal husbandry
- Take advantage of pastures and grazing land to promote cattle husbandry in the region.

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Gradually shift from raising cattle for traction to gaining meat.
Continue to encourage local people develop pig husbandry, particularly in industrial
and semi industrial methods.
Take advantage of large grazing land and abundant food resources, encourage local
people to continue the development of poultry husbandry, especially high quality poultry
breeds. In terms of methods, industrial and semi industrial methods should be applied in the

forms of farms or enterprises.

4.3.3- Forestry
The general direction is to accept forestry as a key production industry of the Northern
mountainous midland provinces, to enable people to earn their living and build on their
wealth from forestry activities. To that end, beside the strict management and protection of
special use forests and protective forests, it is needed to allocate forest land to local people
for their management and use. Efforts should be made to increase the production value of
forestry of the whole region from 13.63% of the total agro-forestry-fishery production value
in 2010 to over 20% in 2020.

4.3.4-Fishery
Concentrate on maximise the utilisation of the water surface in aquaculture, especially
water surface of large hydro power reservoirs such as Son La, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Thac Ba.
etc. It is needed to invest in expanding cold water fish farming, e.g. sturgeon, salmon, etc.
Efforts should be made to increase the production value of fishery of the whole region from
2.88% of the total value of agro-forestry-fishery production value in 2010 to around 5% in
2020.

4.4- Key solutions for sustainable agricultural development in the Northern
mountainous midland provinces until 2020
To succeed in realising the Northern midlands mountainous provinces’ proposed
sustainable agricultural development direction towards 2020, it is necessary to carry out a
system of synchronized solutions, which have scientific basis and high feasibility. Following
are the main solutions:

4.4.1- Focus efforts on the planning of agricultural development in the whole region as
well as in each locality in the region: planning has an important role in social and economic
development in general and agricultural development towards sustainability in particular.
Planning has to be one step ahead, based on scientific basis and is highly feasible.

4.4.2- Build on specialised production zones at advantaged provinces or inter-provinces:
focus investment on facilities and actively apply advanced techniques and technology,
improve production efficiency in order to promote advantages of the region.

4.4.3- Set up facilities serving the production development of the whole region as well as
each province in the region: appropriate policies and mechanisms are needed to mobilise all
available resources for investment, improve infrastructure and facilities towards
modernisation and synchronization, serving the course of sustainable agricultural
development.

4.4.4- Select models of organising agricultural production suitable with conditions and

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features of The Northern mountainous midland region: model of organising production has
a crucial role in agricultural production; a suitable model will be a huge motivation boosting
production; farmer household and farm is the main model of the region until 2020.

4.4.5- Select method of cultivation suitable with conditions of the Northern mountainous
midland region as a whole and of each province in the region: there are many methods ensuring
intensive cultivation in provinces of the Northern midlands and mountainous region, such as:
field–pond–barn or garden–pond–barn or forest–pond–barn with the common method of
agriculture- forestry- fishery combination.

4.4.6- Apply advances of science and technology in agricultural production in localities of the
region: it is necessary to select and apply new advances of science and technology in line with the
conditions of each locality; priotise investment on biotechnology, water resource, cultivation,
mechanisation and electrification.

4.4.7- Adequate investment in training human resources for agricultural production in the

region: this is not an easy task and needs adequate financial investment, the engagement of
the whole political system. It must be conducted continuously and intensively in a certain
time with concrete method and content.

4.4.8- Invest in supportive services of agricultural development: aiming at stimulating specialization
in agricultural production and development of modern agricultura. In the Northern midlands and
mountainous region, priority is needed in such services as irrigation, provision of animal breeds and
plants varieties, equipment, fertilizers, plant protection products, veterinary services and plant
protection.

4.4.9-Expanding consumption market of agricultural commodities provided by local
people: this is an urgent requirement associated with the manufacturing process, with focus
on strengthening and promoting the market system for agricultural products; cautious
consideration is needed before penetrating the Chinese market.

4.4.10- Effectively address the issue of social welfare for farmers: people’s lives are still
difficult in this region, the Government and local authorities should have policies to
harmonise the use of incomes from the hydropower, minerals and forest exploitation and pay
more attention to rapid and sustainable poverty reduction; policies to basically solve issues of
jobs and income for people with meritorious services to the revolution.

4.4.11- Adjust a number of policies targeted at ethnic minority and mountainous area in general,
at agricultural production in particular: such as investment policy, land and forest allocation and
protection policies; investment in hydropower development policy; taxation on mineral resources
exploitation and regulatory mechanism for the region; policy of border trade with China; policy of
training human resources specifically applied for the region.