Solutions for sustainable new rural construction in disadvantaged communes

On November 26, in Hanoi, the Central Office for New Rural Area Coordination (Central Steering Committee of the National Target Program on New Rural Area Construction) held a workshop on "Proposing solutions to promote sustainable new rural area construction in disadvantaged communes".

Workshop "Proposing solutions to promote sustainable new rural construction in disadvantaged communes".

(Photo: BT)

According to the Central Office for Coordination of New Rural Areas, after 5 years of implementing the New Rural Areas (NTM) Program, with the efforts of the entire political system, the active participation of the entire society, especially the rural community with many creative ways, the NTM Program has achieved important results. By the end of November 2015, the whole country had 1,298 communes recognized as meeting NTM standards; the average number of criteria per commune reached 13.56 criteria; the number of communes with difficulties but making efforts to improve was 214 communes. It is forecasted that by December 31, 2015, the whole country will have about 1,450 communes meeting NTM standards.

At the district level, up to now, the Prime Minister has recognized 10 districts and towns that have met the NTM standards, including: Xuan Loc, Long Khanh Town (Dong Nai), Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Nha Be (Ho Chi Minh City), Dong Trieu (Quang Ninh), Hai Hau (Nam Dinh), Don Duong (Lam Dong), Dan Phuong (Hanoi), Nga Bay Town (Hau Giang). In fact, in most localities, especially communes that have met the NTM standards, the countryside has become more spacious and civilized, and the essential infrastructure system serving the rural people has been increasingly improved. The grassroots political system continues to be consolidated, the income and living conditions of the people have been gradually improved and enhanced; the work of hunger eradication and poverty reduction has achieved remarkable results.

However, currently, nationwide there are 2,535 disadvantaged communes, border communes, and safe zone communes with an average of 5.94 criteria/commune. Of which, 1,374 communes meet 5-9 criteria, 552 communes meet less than 5 criteria. The average income of disadvantaged communes is 14.07 million VND/person/year, the average poverty rate in disadvantaged communes is 18.56% (4.5% nationwide).

In order to create favorable conditions for the construction of new rural areas in disadvantaged areas, according to Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien - Deputy Chief of the Central Office for New Rural Area Coordination, it is necessary to have goals and methods suitable to the specific conditions of each disadvantaged area; identify communes as basic areas, villages and hamlets as shock areas, increase decentralization to grassroots authorities and people associated with capacity building and promoting community spirit.

In particular, the 6 priority tasks include: upgrading 6 essential infrastructure items of transportation, electricity, clean water, irrigation, schools, and medical stations; developing production associated with restructuring the agricultural sector, shifting the rural economic structure, and increasing people's income; solving rural environmental sanitation issues regarding wastewater and waste treatment; building rural cultural life; maintaining security, national defense, and social order in rural areas; improving communication effectiveness, training staff, and enhancing capacity for evaluating and monitoring the implementation of the Program.

In addition, it is necessary to innovate monitoring and evaluation work, creating conditions for people to directly evaluate the progress and quality of the Program; investigate people's satisfaction with the construction of new rural areas. Focus on improving the efficiency of using works; build appropriate institutions and mechanisms to manage and operate works after investment. Enhance the role of socio-political organizations such as the Fatherland Front in using village and hamlet cultural houses; allocate sufficient funds for maintenance and repair; guide and train to improve the capacity of grassroots officials and people in managing and using works./.

According to the Communist Party of Vietnam