(VOVworld) – In the past due to a backward farming tradition, Mong people in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai province, had limited yields from their terraced fields. In recent years, the living conditions of the Mong ethnic group there have greatly improved thanks to the application of intensive farming, the support of local administrations, and the involvement of agricultural experts.

In recent years, Mong ethnic people have grown two rice crops a year instead of only one crop.

Khang Sua Ho’s family in Hang Tau De hamlet, Mu Cang Chai district, has more than 1,000 square meters of terraced fields. With only one crop, their life was very hard. But now things are different.

“Since I have been taught to do intensive farming on terraced fields, I now grow two rice crops a year on 1,000 square meters. As a result we now have enough food,” Ho said.

Che Cu Nha is one of the three communes with the most beautiful terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai. All 540 households here are Mong ethnic people who used to grow just one crop a year. Then, the poverty rate was high.

In 2010, the first two-crop area was developed and since then the model has been expanded to more than 80% of the terraced fields in the district, in addition to growing corn and vegetables.

Ho A Nha, Deputy Chairman of the Che Cu Nha communal People’s Committee, said: “in the past, the living conditions of the locals were very difficult. The cultivation of two crops, especially crossbred rice varieties, has reduced the poverty rate increased food security.”

 To change the Mong people’s farming practices, local administrations and the agricultural sector of Mu Cang Chai district have implemented various measures to help farmers increase their production efficiency.

Hoang Van Nguyen, deputy head of the district’s agriculture and rural Development Section, said his “section and related agencies have developed agricultural models, demonstrated them for local farmers, and provided them detailed instructions. After one or two years, Mong people can apply the models by themselves, thus expanding the winter-spring crop areas in the district.”

With more than 4,300 hectares of terraced fields, Mu Cang Chai has made intensive farming on terraced fields one of its top development priorities for this year.

In the past 5 years, the district has converted 1,300 hectares of rice fields to two rice crops and 2,000 hectares unsuitable for rice growing corn, potatoes, wheat, and ginger.

Terraced fields are also giving Mong people tourism opportunities while improving their living conditions through intensive farming.