Hanh Dich, a partner in poverty alleviation for people in border areas.

The last days of February and the beginning of March 2023 were the "peak" of vegetable planting in the villages of Hanh Dich border commune, Que Phong district. During this time, the villagers' vegetable fields were gradually covered in the vibrant green of various spring-summer vegetable varieties.

Production Team No. 6 assists Mr. Vi Van Nguyen's household in Long Thang village in growing vegetables. Photo: Hoai Thu.

In the vegetable garden of Mr. Vi Van Nguyen's family in Long Thang village, the urgency of the villagers and soldiers of Production Team No. 6 of the 4th Economic-Defense Brigade, who are directly guiding and participating with Mr. Nguyen's family in planting cabbage, is evident in every movement. Everyone is leveling the ground for each row while swiftly watering the seedlings after they have sprouted 3-4 leaves.

All the vegetable seedlings donated to the people were sourced by Production Team No. 6 from the savings of its officers and soldiers. This is the second production season that Mr. Nguyen, as well as many other households in Hanh Dich commune, have received vegetable and livestock seeds from soldiers of the 4th Economic and National Defense Brigade to increase production and gradually alleviate poverty.

Mr. Lo Van Linh, Deputy Head of Long Thang village, said that the people of Long Thang have benefited greatly from the assistance of Production Team No. 6. “Most recently, many households such as those of Mr. Ha Van Ngam, Mr. Ha Van Quang, Mr. Vi Van Thanh… have received seedlings and guidance on farming and livestock techniques, so everyone is enthusiastically working hard. Currently, the officers and soldiers are donating and helping the people of Long Thang grow vegetables.”

Armed forces work alongside farmers in Hanh Dich commune to develop agricultural production. Photo: CSCC.

Mr. Ha Van Hai, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Hanh Dich commune, added that in 2022, the 4th Economic and National Defense Brigade stationed in Hanh Dich commune donated 16 breeding buffaloes and cows to the people of the commune's villages. In addition, Production Team No. 6 also allocated savings from its livestock production to support Vi Duc Giang, a student in Hanh Tien village with particularly difficult circumstances, with 500,000 VND per month; and provided seedlings of vegetables, fruits, and poultry to many other households, such as donating froglings to Mr. Vi Van Ngoc in Chieng village, donating fish fry to Mr. Vi Van Viet in Long Thang village, and donating cabbage seedlings to Mr. Vi Van Thanh in Long Thang village…

With the support of armed forces stationed in the area, such as Production Team No. 6, Economic-Defense Group 4, and Hanh Dich Border Guard Post, the implementation of economic models by local authorities has helped Hanh Dich exceed many agricultural production targets. Rice harvest yield exceeded the plan by 1.9%, peanut yield by 5.9%, and winter vegetable yields increased by 5%. In particular, during the winter-spring season, kohlrabi and cabbage cultivation models in Vinh Tien and Chieng villages covered 1.7 hectares, becoming a major source of income for many households.

Thanks to these efforts, by the end of 2022, Hanh Dich commune had lifted an additional 47 poor households out of poverty, exceeding the poverty eradication target set at the beginning of the year. Along with the outstanding results in poverty reduction, this has helped the border commune of Hanh Dich achieve 13 out of 19 criteria for building a new rural commune, an increase of 2 criteria compared to 2021.

Officials from the Hanh Dich Commune People's Committee regularly monitor the situation and encourage residents to strive for economic development. (Photo: Khanh Ly)

"The support from the armed forces in helping people increase production has truly become 'companions of the villagers,' not only in economic development, but also as a source of spiritual encouragement. Together with the Party committee and the government, they encourage people to strive in labor and production, gradually escaping the mindset of waiting and relying on others, and rising to prosperity," affirmed the leader of Hanh Dich commune.