Capital for projects under the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction is allocated too late.

Comrade Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the meeting. Also attending were representatives of leaders of relevant departments, branches and leaders of the People's Committees of the districts: Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Quy Chau, Que Phong.

In 2017, the total capital allocated for projects supporting production development, livelihood diversification and poverty reduction model replication in the province was nearly 88 billion VND. Accordingly, the Provincial People's Committee has decided to assign targets and detailed allocation plans to localities and assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct and guide implementation.

Up to this point, the projects have basically met the planned targets; the project items were proposed based on the needs and aspirations of the people; the process of accepting trees and seedlings was carried out in accordance with the technical guidance process, science and technology transfer, etc.

However, the project implementation process encountered some difficulties such as: the central government's regulations were issued late; the capital allocation process had to go through many steps and appraisal agencies; the weather and epidemic situation became increasingly complicated, affecting people's production process.

Besides, the communes receiving investment are mainly remote areas with complex terrain, high poverty rate, backward awareness level as well as farming, veterinary and production practices.

Passion fruit growing model in Ky Son district. Photo courtesy

At the meeting, some localities raised issues arising during the implementation process. In 2017, the late allocation of capital caused difficulties for mountainous districts in implementing the project in the context of severe cold weather, foot-and-mouth disease in livestock and rampant plant diseases.

Based on the assessment of the implementation of projects in 2017, the meeting discussed and gave opinions on the implementation of the 2018 plan. In 2018, the total capital of the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction granted to Nghe An province was nearly 67 billion VND.

Up to now, localities have reviewed the needs to determine the content of the project list, production models and develop capital allocation plans, and transfer them to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for synthesis.

Representatives of the districts present at the meeting all agreed to recommend early allocation of capital in 2018 to be more proactive and effective in project implementation.

Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong acknowledged the efforts of localities to overcome difficulties in implementing projects to support production development, diversify livelihoods and replicate poverty reduction models.

Regarding the implementation of the 2018 plan, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to actively coordinate with relevant localities, departments and branches to complete the capital allocation plan for the People's Committee to approve and soon implement in practice, creating conditions for people to raise livestock, produce, and escape poverty sustainably.