Products of BK Foods High-Tech Agriculture Cooperative displayed in Thai Nguyen Provincial Exhibition Space at the Autumn Fair (Hanoi, October 2025)

Identifying agriculture and forestry as the main economic foundation, Bach Thong Commune focuses on shifting the structure of crops and livestock toward commodity production, increasing value per unit area. The entire commune has over 2,800 hectares of agricultural land, including 1,200 hectares of rice cultivation, with an average yield of 48 quintals/hectare. The total production value of agriculture and forestry to date has reached 125 billion VND, an increase of 1.2 times compared to 2020.

Along with rice, many high-economic-value crop models such as oranges, mandarins, guava, pomelo, seedless persimmons… are being widely implemented. Many households have bravely converted low-efficiency rice cultivation land to fruit tree farming, generating higher incomes. The commune is effectively implementing projects to grow fruit trees, produce rice and care for oranges and mandarins according to VietGAP standards, gradually forming concentrated production areas linked to the development of agricultural tourism. Mr. Ly Tien Loi, from Na Pan Hamlet, shared: "My family grows over 2 hectares of oranges and mandarins. Previously, rice farming was only enough for consumption, but now the annual income is over VND 150 million. I hope the commune continues to support locals in linking product consumption and maintaining OCOP certification for local agricultural products".

Not only focusing on cultivation, Bach Thong Commune also promotes livestock development toward biosafety, linking production with environmental protection. Livestock and poultry farming remain stable; the surface area for aquaculture is expanded, with output exceeding the targets set by the congress.

As a locality with a large forest area, Bach Thong pays special attention to the management, protection and development of forests. The commune currently has 967.05 hectares of planted forest, raising the forest cover rate to over 75%. Twelve wood processing workshops have been established and maintained in the commune, creating local jobs for residents while effectively exploiting planted forest resources. Along with this, many households and cooperatives have implemented models for planting medicinal herbs under the forest canopy such as Purple Velvetleaf and Yellow camellia across 5.5 hectares, bringing clear economic benefits. Ms. Hoang Thi Lan, from Ban Mun Hamlet, stated: Planting Yellow camellia under the forest canopy helps utilize the land, has fewer pests and diseases and the selling price is stable. From the Yellow camellia gardens, many households in the hamlet earn nearly VND 100 million/crop.

BK Foods High-Tech Agriculture Cooperative not only links product purchasing but also creates additional jobs for local residents

Currently, Bach Thong Commune has 12 cooperatives in operation, mainly in the fields of cultivation, agricultural production and processing. These cooperatives are effectively promoting the production linkage model, creating jobs for residents while contributing to orienting economic development toward commodity production. In recent years, many cooperatives in the commune have proactively innovated their operating models, applied science and technology, focused on building trademarks and gradually formed agricultural value chains. Concurrently, the commune encourages the development of production collaboration groups and linked household economic models, creating a foundation for sustainable production. Ms. Le Thi Huong, Director of BK Foods High-Tech Agriculture Cooperative (Bach Thong Commune), shared: "Previously, local residents produced on a small, fragmented scale, which made product consumption difficult. When the cooperative was established, we organized training, provided guidance on safe production techniques and signed product consumption contracts with residents. Thanks to this, we have a stable and high-quality raw material zone, allowing us to build a sustainable brand. The Cooperative currently has 2 products (dried yellow tea and dried bamboo shoots) recognized as OCOP 3-star".

Up to now, Bach Thong has 8 recognized OCOP products, all of which are unique and bear the strong local identity, such as: Yellow camellia, medicinal tea, dried Sam Bo Chinh ginseng, oranges, mandarins… Some products have been brought into supermarket systems and distribution channels in neighboring provinces, opening a stable development direction for local agricultural products.

Bach Thong Commune sets the goal of maintaining 12 effective cooperatives by the end of the term, establishing at least 3 new cooperatives and adding 3 more OCOP products, including at least 1 product achieving 4-star provincial level. The locality aims to restructure agriculture toward organic and ecological practices, prioritizing the development of high-value crops; and simultaneously expanding the area of large-timber forests for processing and export.

Residents of Phieng An Hamlet caring for orange and mandarin gardens according to VietGAP standards to enhance product value

Comrade Ha Ngoc Viet, Chairman of the Bach Thong Commune People's Committee, stated: "In the coming time, the locality will continue to boost the application of science and technology in production, promote digital transformation in cooperative activities and support product promotion and consumption via e-commerce platforms. The commune identifies the OCOP program as an important foundation for building agricultural product brands and enhancing the efficiency of the collective economy. Along with that, we focus on attracting businesses to invest, completing production infrastructure, transferring techniques and supporting cooperatives and households in consumption linkage, gradually forming sustainable agricultural value chains. Parallel to economic development, the locality continues to focus on environmental protection, preserving cultural identity, creating a premise for the development of ecological and community tourism".

Based on the achieved results, it can be confirmed that developing the collective economy linked to OCOP products has become a solid foundation for the process of building advanced new rural areas in Bach Thong Commune, opening a sustainable direction for a homeland that is changing every day.