Nghe An Newspaper spreads model to help poor communes

Providing livelihoods to the poor

Pursuant to Decision No. 1310/QD-UBND dated April 20, 2012 of the Provincial People's Committee on assigning agencies and units to help poor communes in the Western region of Nghe An province, Nghe An Newspaper has received support for Xieng My commune (Tuong Duong) to develop socio-economy and reduce poverty from 2012 to present.

Xieng My commune is a poor, remote, and particularly disadvantaged commune in the mountainous district of Tuong Duong. Through research and surveys, it was found that the vast mountainous terrain here has the potential to develop livestock farming. With the policy of helping by giving fishing rods instead of fish, the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper has decided to support investment and development of breeding cows to contribute to creating livelihoods for the people of Xieng My commune. Every year, the Newspaper gives away 2 to 3 breeding cows and supports each family with 1 million VND in barn construction costs. All funding for buying breeding cows is contributed by officials, reporters, and employees of Nghe An Newspaper.

This meaningful activity demonstrates the solidarity, empathy and sharing of Nghe An Newspaper; contributing to hunger eradication, poverty reduction, and improving the lives of local people. Photo courtesy

After 9 years of Nghe An Newspaper accompanying Xieng My commune in implementing the model of raising breeding cows, it has brought about many changes and clear results. In 2015, the poverty rate was 64.99% (477 households/734 households) and has now decreased to 33.06% (240 households/726 households) (an average annual reduction of 7.98% of poor households). The material and spiritual life of the people has been significantly improved.

The family of Ms. Vi Thi Choi in Phay village is one of the first households in Xieng My commune to receive a breeding cow from Nghe An Newspaper. The first cow that her family adopted has been transferred to 9 households and has given birth to 10 calves. In 2012, Ms. Choi's family was a poor household, the family's economy only depended on a few fields but was not enough to eat. "When we heard that Nghe An Newspaper had given us a breeding cow, my family was extremely excited because the family had never had the conditions to raise cows. My husband and I discussed and determined to raise cows well to make ends meet and improve our lives. Up to now, my family has sold 3 cows, has money to build a house, and send our children to school. Now my family has escaped poverty."

Ms. Vi Thi Choi's family's cows reproduce well thanks to applying concentrated farming methods. Photo: Tung Linh

In 2017, Mr. Vi Van Toa's family in Phay village, Xieng My commune was a poor household selected to receive a transfer of breeding cows donated by Nghe An Newspaper from another household in the village. After 1 year of receiving the transfer, with the guidance of the commune's livestock officers on how to raise them, such as building barns and planting elephant grass, the cows reproduced well. The family had a good additional source of income and has now escaped poverty. "From a makeshift thatched house with bamboo walls, my family has now built a solid and spacious house. With an additional source of income to cover living expenses, the family has less difficulty, can buy furniture for the house, and has money for children to contribute to school expenses," Mr. Vi Van Toa shared.

Vi Van Toa's family life is now better off. Photo: Tung Linh

Spread strongly

Mr. Lo Ba Lich - Chairman of the People's Committee of Xieng My commune said: "The program of giving breeding cows by Nghe An Newspaper has a very practical meaning, creating a strong change for the poor people of Xieng My. Previously, the people's economy was very difficult because there was no job, as well as no capital to develop livestock. With the support of Nghe An Newspaper, providing breeding animals, the commune government has carefully implemented from selecting suitable families to assigning technical staff and commune agricultural extension workers to regularly monitor, closely follow the model, propagate and guide households on how to care for and prevent diseases for cows.

In particular, in the past, people were still afraid of the method of raising cattle in concentrated confinement, because their thinking and customs and practices were free-range farming. However, up to now, people have gradually formed and changed their thinking to new ways of raising cattle, knowing how to vaccinate cattle against diseases, clean barns, and cut grass in winter to reserve... Up to now, the number of breeding cows donated by Nghe An Newspaper has increased to a total of 67. The implemented model is truly a source of encouragement both materially and spiritually for poor households to have more determination to rise out of poverty.

“Currently, the commune is building a livestock regulation with a clear process. Deploying a pilot model of concentrated elephant grass planting in Phay village, the purpose of implementing a closed livestock regulation in the locality is to bring about higher livestock efficiency. The model of breeding cows also helps families connect and share with each other experiences and methods of raising cows. The spreading power of the model not only helps poor households develop their economy, improve their income, but also contributes positively to the poverty reduction work of the commune. The determination and efforts of the government and people, along with the practical support of Nghe An Newspaper, will contribute to helping Xieng My commune soon complete the goal of building a new countryside in the 2020-2025 term,” affirmed Mr. Lo Ba Lich.

On average, each year Nghe An Newspaper donates about 50-70 million VND to help Xieng My commune.

In addition to the annual cow donation program, every Tet holiday, Nghe An Newspaper mobilizes businesses inside and outside the province to donate hundreds of gifts to support poor households in the locality to celebrate Tet. Since the commune has electricity grid, Nghe An Newspaper has supported the Commune People's Committee to purchase equipment such as computers, printers, photocopiers, etc. Nghe An Newspaper also called for and mobilized funds to buy dozens of desks and chairs for students at the Dinh Tai hamlet of Xieng My Primary School.