Breakthrough in building new rural areas in Nghi Loc

(Baonghean) - Focusing on developing agricultural economy towards commodities, promoting the transformation of crop and livestock structure to bring high economic efficiency per unit area... are highlights in the process of building new rural areas in Nghi Loc district.

Stable output models

Nghi Kieu, Nghi Lam, Nghi Van communes... are semi-mountainous communes of Nghi Loc district, with many areas of land not favorable for intensive rice cultivation. However, in recent years, they have been mentioned a lot because of their creative and hard-working spirit and effective models. Many highland areas have been converted to grow high-value crops such as chives, turmeric, and commercial corn. In addition, goat and cattle breeding and farm investment have been promoted.

According to calculations by farmers in Nghi Kieu commune, growing turmeric on average brings in an income of 10 - 12 million VND/crop. In Nghi Lam, growing shallots and corn on each sao brings in an income of over 25 million VND/crop. Professional production means that the output of turmeric, shallots and corn is very stable.

As for corn, the Australian cattle farm in Nghi Lam commune has also signed a contract to purchase all products, so people can grow 4 crops a year. Mr. Phan Van Hieu - Chairman of Nghi Lam Commune People's Committee said: "The model of converting corn to intercropping with chives brings very high value. This is a new way, bringing benefits to farmers in converting crop structure. We will continue to encourage households to expand the area of ​​corn and chives, and at the same time build a project to create a connection between the cattle farm and the locality, for mutual benefit."

Raising goats in Nghi Lam commune (Nghi Loc).

Ms. Pham Thi Luc, Hamlet 14, Nghi Lam Commune said: "Growing corn to supply the Australian cattle farm in the area with 5 sao of corn, this early winter crop my family earned about 7.5 million VND in just 75 days. Compared to growing potatoes and rice before, the economic efficiency from growing corn is twice as high. The economy has increased so we farmers are very excited."

Nghi Long is also one of the leading units in transforming the economic structure towards commodity production. In particular, vegetables and watermelon are considered key crops with high economic value. Every year, under the direction of the People's Committee, the people of Nghi Long commune have actively applied scientific and technical advances in production, increased productivity on the colored area, focused on investing in building fields for high income, up to now the average income is from 120 - 160 million VND/ha/crop (an increase of 50 million VND/ha/crop compared to 2011). The economic prosperity has contributed to making Nghi Long one of the top districts in completing the new rural program.

In addition to the production sector, in recent years, the livestock industry in Nghi Loc has also been considered a local strength. With advantages in land, grasslands, and food sources utilizing agricultural by-products, localities have also created conditions and encouraged people to contract land to build economic models of integrated livestock farms such as: pigs, cows, goats, chickens, fish, etc.

Up to now, the whole district has built over 320 economic models of farms and family farms with an annual income of over 200 million VND/model. An Thinh Khang Company Limited invested in an Australian cattle farm with a scale of over 3,000 cows, which is not only a good model but also motivates some communes to change crop structure, increasing income in the area.

Growing vegetables on straw in Nghi Thuan.

Upcoming solutions

Up to now, Nghi Loc district has only 11 communes meeting new rural standards, however, in many communes, people's lives are improving thanks to its proximity to Vinh city. The average number of new rural criteria in the whole district has increased to 15.2 criteria, an increase of 10 criteria compared to 2010. In 2016 alone, Nghi Loc had 3 more communes reaching the new rural standard, this is the premise for Nghi Loc district Party Committee and government to focus on directing and promoting implementation in the remaining communes.

To complete the goal of building a new rural area, Nghi Loc determined to build models, increase income, and strongly develop industry, trade and services, and produce competitive products as decisive factors.

Science and technology will be a breakthrough factor to improve crop and livestock productivity, while focusing on clean production.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Quang - Head of the Department of Agriculture of Nghi Loc district said: The district will build many linkage models in livestock production, increase scientific and technical training for people, and pay attention to product output for farmers. Promote the development of concentrated agricultural commodity production areas associated with processing; certified clean and safe agricultural and aquatic food production areas associated with export enterprises, build large-scale production models through land accumulation or the formation of cooperative alliances.

Thu Hien - Tran Hoa