Experiences in building new rural areas in Thai Hoa town.

(Baonghean) - After more than four years of implementing the New Rural Development program, the appearance of rural areas in Thai Hoa town has truly improved. To date, 5 out of 6 communes in the town have completed the New Rural Development criteria. To achieve this result, the town mobilized the participation of the entire political system, with high determination, and implemented specific, creative, and practical plans tailored to the realities of each locality.

When embarking on the National Target Program for building new rural areas, Thai Hoa town had only achieved an average rate of 5.3% out of 19 criteria. Recognizing the difficulties and advantages, the town began by selecting the two most disadvantaged localities as pilot areas for building new rural areas: Nghia Thuan and Nghia My.

In these two localities, the roads become muddy whenever it rains, and many households live in cramped, dilapidated houses. In Nghia My commune alone, the poverty rate reached 27.3%… That was the situation four years ago. Now, the lives of the people have completely changed. 100% of village roads and alleys are paved with concrete; all 14 village cultural centers have been built and upgraded to be spacious and modern; and the poverty rate has dropped to only 4.88%. Many families, thanks to participating in short-term vocational training courses organized by the locality such as animal husbandry, carpentry, and beekeeping, have gradually risen out of poverty and become exemplary models in economic development. In the three years from 2011 to 2014, with funding from the State budget, the people, and contributions from organizations and individuals, Nghia My commune invested nearly 214 billion VND in building new rural areas. Besides contributing financially, the people also contributed 22,600 man-days of labor, donated 22,000 square meters of land, and dismantled 680 meters of fences. Mr. Truong Dinh Muoi, from Yen Tho hamlet (Nghia My district), happily said: “Our lives have improved a lot now, and the village is becoming more beautiful. We are truly excited to join forces in the New Rural Development program.”

Road construction in Dong Hieu hamlet, Dong Hieu commune (Thai Hoa town). Photo: Cong Sang

In Nghia Hoa commune, the implementation of the New Rural Development program faced numerous difficulties. In 2011, a review showed that the commune had only met 4 out of 19 criteria; infrastructure, electricity, roads, schools, health stations, and cultural center facilities were severely dilapidated; the poverty rate was 11.7%; and the average per capita income was only 8.9 million VND/year. At that time, the entire commune lacked any economic models to apply to farmers' production. However, thanks to choosing the right direction, Nghia Hoa has now completed all 19 criteria. Ms. Luong Thi Hoa, a resident of Hamlet 3, shared: “After 4 years of implementing the New Rural Development program, we are very satisfied. This is a completely correct policy of the Party and the State, and the benefits of building a new rural area belong to the people. Therefore, I and my family have always supported it, contributing labor and saving on expenses to contribute material resources...”

Building new rural areas has become a revolution in the countryside, encompassing a comprehensive and holistic approach in terms of socio-economic and political aspects. To build new rural areas with progressively modern socio-economic infrastructure, linking agriculture with the rapid development of industry and services, requires strategic solutions from all sectors in accordance with approved plans. This demands that Party committees and authorities at all levels enhance their leadership capacity and creativity in implementation. Throughout the process, Thai Hoa Town has consistently emphasized the exemplary role and leadership of Party members and influential community leaders. For example, Dong Phu hamlet in Dong Hieu commune, located far from the commune center, where the lives of the people are primarily based on agriculture and still face many difficulties, saw 62 households with 290 residents enthusiastically support the initiative to build a hamlet cultural center. In addition to contributing labor, the residents also contributed cash to the construction of the cultural center, totaling 200 million VND.

In 2015, Thai Hoa town strived to become the first unit in the province to achieve the New Rural Area standard. Alongside the efforts of officials and the people, there was also the active contribution of businesses in the area, donating tens of billions of VND to build public infrastructure. Mr. Le Dai Loc, Director of Phu Dai Loc Co., Ltd., donated over 200 million VND to Nghia Hoa commune for the construction of a cultural center.

In the national criteria for building new rural areas, criterion 17, environmental protection, is identified as a difficult one. However, with the involvement of the political system and the people, this issue in Thai Hoa town has been significantly improved. A centralized waste treatment facility has been built; the movement of each family having a waste treatment pit has been expanded, and household biogas digesters have become more common in rural areas. Mr. Ho Thanh Phong, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, People's Committee of Thai Hoa town, said: "In the coming time, we will continue to coordinate and promote propaganda work to help people understand and raise awareness in implementation. At the same time, we will work with localities to develop specific environmental solutions in each commune."

According to the provincial New Rural Development (NRD) assessment team, a crucial factor in implementing the NRD program is the town's ability to leverage collective strength, select criteria wisely, and utilize resources effectively. Currently, only Nghia Tien commune has achieved 16 out of 19 criteria and is accelerating progress to reach the finish line by the end of this year. During this time, the atmosphere of rural road construction in Nghia Tien is very urgent. In some hamlets with a large ethnic minority population, despite many difficulties, the people's spirit of contributing labor and donating land to build NRD roads is vibrant and enthusiastic, demonstrating dedication to the development of their villages. Mr. Ho Van Le, head of Hamlet 4 (Nghia Tien commune), shared: "Our hamlet has 98% of its residents being from the Tho ethnic minority group. Although there are still many difficulties, the people have understood the benefits of building NRD, so everyone is participating with great enthusiasm."

Over the past four years of implementing the New Rural Development program, Thai Hoa Town has mobilized the entire political system, demonstrating high determination and developing specific, proactive, creative, and practical plans tailored to each locality. In particular, leveraging the leading role of the people and the organizational role of each hamlet is a crucial factor for success. In 2011, Thai Hoa Town embarked on the New Rural Development program when the average number of criteria met per commune was only 5.3. To date, 5 out of 6 communes in the town have achieved the New Rural Development goals. This result serves as a "lever" for the young town of Thai Hoa to achieve its economic and social objectives in the coming years. Mr. Le Phuc An, Chairman of the People's Committee and Head of the Steering Committee for the New Rural Development Program in Thai Hoa Town, shared: “The positive results of the New Rural Development program have made the urban landscape brighter every day. This reflects the efforts of the entire political system, all levels of people, and businesses in the area. We will continue to promote and mobilize more resources to consolidate and upgrade the achieved criteria to make them increasingly sustainable.”

Quang Huy - Thu Trang - Minh Hop

(Thai Hoa Radio)