Poverty reduction from "cow banks"

(Baonghean) - The "Cow Bank" project was implemented by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society in Nghe An since April 2010, aiming to support poor districts and districts suffering from many damages caused by natural disasters. Up to now, 18 communes in 9 districts (Ky Son, Que Phong, Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen, Yen Thanh, Nghi Loc, Anh Son Son, Con Cuong, Quy Chau) have benefited with 495 breeding cows given, with a total value of 3,579 billion VND...

The “Cow Bank” project is considered a special model. Each poor family is given a breeding cow. After the breeding cow gives birth to its first litter, the beneficiary household continues to care for the calf until it is 6-12 months old, then it is transferred to the Red Cross to continue to be given to other poor households to raise. According to this process, the number of breeding cows increases, which means that more and more poor families in the area are being assisted.

From the project's breeding cow, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai's family in hamlet 3A, Nam Thanh commune (Nam Dan) has had 2 more calves.

Ms. Bui Thi Hien is one of the poorest households in Hamlet 7A, Nam Thanh Commune, Nam Dan District. Her husband has had epilepsy since childhood, and his mental state is often unstable, sometimes conscious, sometimes unconscious. The economy only depends on 4 sao of rice fields and 1 sao of fertile land, and she has to raise 3 children to go to school, so life is difficult. In June 2010, after being evaluated, Ms. Hien was given a breeding cow from the "Cow Bank" program, and was also trained in knowledge of breeding cows. After more than 1 year of raising, the mother cow gave birth to a calf. According to the project's regulations, her family handed over the calf to rotate with other poor households. The mother cow owned by the family now has 2 more calves. For a poor family like Ms. Hien, this is a great asset. She said that in the near future, when the mother cow gives birth to her 4th litter, she will sell some of the calves to repair the house.

The family of Mr. Nguyen Ba Dung in Hamlet 6, Lang Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District is one of the poor households in the commune. With no side job to increase income, the whole family's living expenses only depend on nearly 3 sao of contracted rice fields in the low-lying area. The dream of a prosperous life and a solid house seems far away. In 2010, he was able to access the "Cow Bank" project of the Red Cross Society. Since then, Mr. Dung has had 4 cows in the barn. "I am very excited, the project not only provides cows to the people but also guides us on how to take care of them and prevent diseases, so the cows reproduce and develop well. I have just returned the calves to the project, and I have a mother cow for breeding. My 4 cows are now valued at more than 70 million VND. I am very happy," Mr. Dung confided.

As one of the four districts that suffered a lot of damage from natural disasters, in 2010, Yen Thanh benefited from the "Cow Bank" project with 80 breeding cows for 78 poor households in Bao Thanh and Lang Thanh communes. After 4 years of implementation, the herd has given birth to 204 more calves, of which 75 have been transferred to other households. In Lang Thanh commune alone, out of 38 households that received breeding cows, 20 households gave birth to 3-4 more calves after the transfer of the first calf...

Mr. Luu Xuan Huu, Vice Chairman of the Yen Thanh District Red Cross Society, said: In order for the project to achieve its intended purpose and support the right beneficiaries, the evaluation of households has been carried out seriously, ensuring democracy, without complaints or disunity in the community. After receiving the cows, the Project Management Board coordinated with the District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct training and provide technical guidance on caring for breeding cows. At the same time, they regularly inspected and urged families to build barns and cooperated with veterinary staff to periodically vaccinate breeding cows. The achievements of the special "bank" are multiplying the joy and hope of poor households and also contributing to affirming the initial success of the project. In addition, the project also enhances the management capacity and the role and position of the Red Cross Society at all levels in community activities in the locality.

According to the Nghe An Red Cross, after more than 4 years of implementation, from the initial 495 breeding cows, 345 calves have been born. Currently, the families are taking good care of the cows. The number of calves will be added to the project, and continue to be transferred to other poor households. To achieve maximum efficiency when implementing the project, the Red Cross at all levels has regularly contacted the families receiving breeding cows to clearly understand the condition of each cow. Some households that received breeding cows but did not achieve high efficiency due to lack of knowledge and techniques were all trained in a hands-on manner in all stages such as feeding, disease prevention, etc.

The “Cow Bank” project not only brings practical benefits to poor households across the province but also has a profound humanitarian meaning. It is the sharing and joining hands of the whole community with the spirit of mutual love; gradually contributing to poverty reduction, creating conditions for the poor to develop the economy in a sustainable direction. Hopefully, in the coming time, the project will continue to receive the attention and support of sponsors, businesses, organizations and individuals so that the “Cow Bank” will spread more and more, bringing more joy and new hope to poor households.

Ngoc Anh