Leveraging internal strengths and shifting in the right direction in Ma Thanh.

The pig farming model of Mr. Mai Van Ho's family in Dong Duc hamlet is a large-scale operation in Ma Thanh commune. Photo: Thai Duong

In 2013, after completing land consolidation and with the help of the local government, veteran Tran Dinh Dien, from Hamlet 1, Ma Thanh Commune, boldly took on a 1.3-hectare plot in the Dong Bau area to establish a farm. Currently, his farm houses 6 cows, hundreds of poultry, and a fish pond. Notably, for the past three years, he has shifted to frog farming, selling an average of 5 tons of commercial frogs to the market annually. "Thanks to choosing suitable livestock breeds and utilizing agricultural products to reinvest in farming, I've reduced costs, increased production efficiency, and ensured an annual income of over 200 million VND," Mr. Dien said.

Mr. Phan Van Thanh and Ms. Nguyen Thi Long, a couple from Hamlet 6, also chose the path out of poverty through integrated farm economics. After four years of investment and construction, on a 2-hectare area, the couple now has three rows of barns, four fish ponds, eight breeding cows, 1,000 laying ducks, and thousands of pigeons... Revenue reaches 2.4 billion VND, and after deducting investment costs, the profit is approximately 500 million VND per year. These are just two of many poor households in Ma Thanh commune who have overcome difficulties and risen to become legitimately wealthy right on their homeland.

As a semi-mountainous commune, in addition to 345 hectares of agricultural land, Ma Thanh also has 230 hectares of hilly and forest land. The reason why the people's lives were poor in the past was that their main source of income was primarily based on agricultural production, with two rice harvests a year being unreliable, and the available potential remained untapped; the issue of employment for laborers was not given adequate attention…

Adhering closely to the Resolution of the 21st Party Congress of the commune, term 2015-2020, the commune Party Committee has set forth 2 plans, 2 specialized resolutions, and 10 key projects in the socio-economic development of the locality. In particular, in the agricultural sector, the commune has promoted scientific and technological advancements and mechanization in the fields, bringing rice yields to 6.3-6.5 tons/ha; actively developed integrated agriculture and forestry, with livestock farming as the leading sector, accounting for 53% of agricultural production, bringing total social income in 2017 to 236 billion VND.

The rural road construction movement in Hon Nen hamlet, Ma Thanh commune. Photo: Thai Duong

In particular, to address the issue of employment for surplus rural labor, in recent years, the Ma Thanh commune government has implemented many policies to support and encourage farmers to establish 35 farm models; many small-scale handicraft establishments, trades, and services have been formed. Currently, 1,450 young people from the commune have gone abroad for work.

To date, the average income of people in Ma Thanh commune has increased to 34.5 million VND/person/year; the poverty rate has decreased to below 5%. Economic development is an important prerequisite for Ma Thanh to leverage its internal resources in building new rural areas. The commune has achieved 15 out of 19 criteria for building new rural areas and is determined to reach the target in 2018.

According to Phan Minh Trong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Ma Thanh commune: “In building new rural areas, the commune pays special attention to economic development, improving people's income and living standards, striving to become a prosperous commune in the district. In particular, we continue to focus on shifting the economic structure in the right direction, gradually creating a chain of agricultural commodity production.”

Sun