Converting rice fields to build projects: Agree for development

(Baonghean.vn) - 2nd session, Provincial People's CouncilNghe AnlockXVIIConsider issuing a Resolution on changing the purpose of land use for rice cultivation and protective forest land to implement investment projects in the province.Nghe An Newspaper recorded some opinions of all levels, sectors and delegates on this issue.

* Mr. Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee: The conversion is necessary

Mr. Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

According to the provisions of the Land Law, projects that require the use of rice fields, special-use forests, and protective forests must be permitted by competent authorities to change the purpose of use. The law allows the conversion of rice fields under 10 hectares and special-use forests and protective forests under 20 hectares under the authority of the Provincial People's Council. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has reviewed the projects and construction areas and served the council delegates well for consideration and approval at this session.

The conversion of the purpose of using rice-growing land and protective forest land is under the authority of the Provincial People's Council for approval. Therefore, this time the Provincial People's Committee submitted to the Provincial People's Council for approval 144 works and projects that need to convert the purpose of using 242.39 hectares of rice-growing land and protective forest land, including 208.61 hectares of rice-growing land and 33.78 hectares of protective forest land. This is the area after reviewing Resolution No. 196/NQ-HDND of Nghe An province (dated December 20, 2015) on converting the purpose of using rice-growing land, protective forest land, and special-use forest land to implement investment projects in Nghe An province.

*DeputyHoang Nghia Hieu - Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:ensure food security

Mr. Hoang Nghia Hieu - Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Along with converting rice fields to other projects to ensure socio-economic development, from now until 2020, Nghe An also plans to convert 5,457 hectares of rice fields to grow other crops and combine with aquaculture. This reality requires principles and goals to ensure food security.

The conversion of rice fields in Nghe An is also carried out on the basis of consideration of not affecting the work of ensuring food security. In another aspect, the conversion is also a way to cope with the impacts of climate change, market prices...

Thus, by 2020, the rice growing area will decrease by about 7,500 hectares, but food security will still be ensured, and the output of some other agricultural products will increase significantly.

On that basis, the agricultural sector closely coordinates with localities at all levels to strengthen the work of reviewing land funds, developing conversion plans in localities and units; quickly applying advanced science and technology, especially advances in varieties, into production, promoting mechanization for farmers in production and livestock breeding; and effectively implementing support policies.

At the same time, encourage cooperation, link production with agricultural product consumption, build large fields; reduce post-harvest losses...

* GrandfatherVo Hoang Thach - Vice Chairman of Vinh City Farmers' Association:More attention to farmers whose land has been recovered

Mr. Vo Hoang Thach.

In the past 3 years, the speed of agricultural land recovery in Vinh city has been very strong, each year recovering about 400 - 600 hectares, about 10 times higher than before (in the period 2007-2012, each year only 50-60 hectares of agricultural land was recovered). The recovered land is mainly focused on building key state projects such as urban planning (WB), 72m road from Vinh - Cua Lo, 35m road from National Highway 46 to the Lam River road....

The recovery of rice fields helps Vinh city develop strong infrastructure, urban renovation towards the center of the North Central region. As a result, the infrastructure, facilities, and housing of the people also change, becoming more beautiful and spacious. However, many problems arise for the city such as the problem of career conversion, finding jobs, agricultural production... The speed of urbanization is strong and fast while the speed of career conversion of farmers cannot keep up, many people are unemployed, especially agricultural workers aged 40 and over. Besides, the problems of safety, order, and social security are also more complicated. Another difficulty is that due to urban renovation, irrigation, transportation, and infrastructure for agricultural production are divided, many areas cannot produce. All levels and sectors need to have better policies to ensure people's lives when reclaiming land.

Mr. Ho Nghia Duong

*Mr. Ho Nghia Duong - Chairman of People's Committee of Quynh Hong Commune (Quynh Luu):Create a more decent place for people to trade

In the context of the cramped office of Quynh Hong commune, using a row of level 4 houses built more than 40 years ago to work and transact with the people. Quynh Hong commune is proposing to supplement the planning until 2020 and the plan to use about 6,000m2 of rice land in hamlet 6 to build the commune's office. If the Provincial People's Council approves us to convert some rice land to build the office, the government and people of Quynh Hong commune will be very excited. Thus, the commune will have a better place to work, and the people will have a more decent place to transact. In addition, some projects needing to expand the campus such as: the headquarters of the District Police, Social Insurance, and the relocation of the District People's Court to a new location are also waiting for the Provincial People's Council to approve the Resolution.

Voter Nguyen Thanh Hai

*Voter Nguyen Thanh Hai - Hamlet 7, Quynh Hong Commune:We agree for the development of society.

We strongly agree with the Resolution on converting rice fields to construction works and investment projects in the area. Currently, the commune's office is very cramped, there is a shortage of office space, affecting work.

If the commune headquarters is built with a standard design, it will have a great impact on the economic development of the commune, making it easy and effective for officials and people to conduct business.

Some rice fields are planned to be converted to other construction projects. If approved, we, the voters, agree to promote the development of these projects. For the remaining areas, we focus on increasing the yield and quality of seedlings so as not to reduce income...

Mr. Ho Van Hoa

*Mr. Ho Van Hoa - Chairman of Quynh Hau Commune People's Committee:

Land conversion is also the people's wish.

Quynh Hau commune has about 2.52 hectares of rice land proposed to be converted to residential land subdivision purposes at hamlet 3 and hamlet 9 for households in need of housing.

If the Resolution submitted to the Provincial People's Council is approved, it will create conditions for the locality to reclaim land and submit prices to organize bidding and divide residential land plots for households in need of housing. This is also the wish of the people in the area when there is a need to separate households and improve housing.

Made by: Tran Chau-Viet Hung