In 2016, Song Ma was the first district to develop safe agricultural and aquatic product supply chains, starting with four fruit chains. To date, 47 supply chains have been created, including 45 fruit, one poultry farming, and one honey.

Currently, these safe agricultural and aquatic product supply chains are proving effective, not only mobilizing resources from businesses, cooperatives, and farmers but also fostering the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. They have also helped form concentrated production areas, ensuring quality and food safety. As a result, consumers now have access to diverse food sources with traceability, contributing to the formation of sustainable value chain-based agricultural production habits.

Pham Quang Thanh, head of the district Division of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that with nearly 11,000 hectares of fruit trees, the estimated production in 2024 is expected to reach over 47,580 tonnes, with 37,000 tonnes consumed domestically, 680 tonnes for export, and over 9,900 tonnes processed, generating an estimated value of over 1.11 trillion VND ($43.7 million). Notably, the district has 981 hectares of longan, with an annual output of more than 14,400 tonnes. The district has strongly developed a longan production chain with 48 growing areas, 50 cooperatives, and one company meeting the VietGAP standards, as well as 50 production, processing, and consumption linkage chains.

The Ngoan Hau Agricultural Service Cooperative in Tan Lap hamlet, Chieng Khuong commune, Song Ma district, was established in 2022 with eight members and produces 20 hectares of early ripening and regional longans, 15 hectares of which are certified as meeting VietGAP standards. In 2024, the cooperative was recognized as one of the three new safe agricultural supply chains by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the district is supporting the establishment of VietGAP-certified production areas and packaging facilities.

Bui Son Hau, Chairman and Director of the cooperative, stated that in 2023 and 2024, the cooperative's fresh longan production exceeded 100 tonnes, generating 1.5 billion VND in revenue. In addition, the cooperative purchased and processed 50 tonnes of dried longan. After receiving certification for safe production area, the cooperative aims to develop its dried longan as a provincial 3-star OCOP (One Commune, One Product) item.

In Mai Son district, there are 11,500 hectares of various fruit trees, with an annual production of nearly 100,000 tonnes. The district has actively developed production, processing, and consumption linkage chains.

Nguyen Khac Hao, head of the district Division of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that businesses and cooperatives in the district have intensified the application of high-tech methods, with over 1,140 hectares of VietGAP-certified fruit trees and 2,500 hectares following organic farming methods. Since the beginning of this year, the district has established two new safe agricultural supply chains: one for fruit and one for pork, bringing the total number of safe agricultural supply chains in the district to 51.

After nearly 10 years of operation, the Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Service Cooperative in Na Bo commune, Mai Son district, has grown to 200 members and has formed linkages in the cultivation of nearly 300 hectares of dragon fruit, with 70 hectares certified for export.

Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of the cooperative, shared that they have been granted two export codes for dragon fruit growing areas, with 5 hectares certified for organic production. Building the production chain has helped the cooperative improve product quality and expand market access. Since the beginning of the crop, the cooperative has exported 200 tonnes of dragon fruit to China, the Republic of Korea, and several EU countries.

So far this year, the province has granted certification to eight new businesses and cooperatives for safe agricultural and aquatic product supply chains. There are currently 288 active supply chains, an increase of 91 from 2021. These include 39 safe vegetable chains, 78 safe fruit, five coffee, 10 tea, five pork, three chicken, seven honey, 21 aquatic product, two smoked meat, 13 safe agricultural and aquatic product processing, two agricultural product trading, and one Cordyceps.

Additionally, there are 181 certified fruit-growing areas, covering a total area of 4,740 hectares. There are 101 establishments applying VietGAP and GlobalGAP processes, and 154 OCOP products have been developed, rated 3 stars or higher.

According to Hoang Thi Thu Hien, head of the Division of Quality, Processing, and Market Development at the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the development of these linkage chains not only forms concentrated production areas, applies high-tech methods, and ensures quality and safety but also helps Son La's agricultural products expand further in domestic and international markets.

Currently, the province has 216 certified planting areas, of which 205 are for export to markets like the US, the EU, and others. Additionally, 29 agricultural products in the province have been granted protection, including geographical indications for Moc Chau Shan Tuyet tea, Son La coffee, and Yen Chau round mango. Along with applying VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, and developing OCOP products, these chains have contributed to the modern and sustainable development of Son La's agriculture.

Currently, Son La province continues to support businesses and cooperatives in establishing concentrated production areas, applying good production practices, achieving VietGAP and GlobalGAP certifications, building brands and geographical indications, promoting trade and marketing of products, and enhancing food safety inspections.

In addition, the province encourages businesses and cooperatives to invest further in high-tech application, improving production, processing, and storage, thus raising the quality and value of products. In 2024, the province established 20 new supply chains, bringing the total number of safe agricultural and aquatic product supply.