Que Phong: Poverty reduction thanks to 30a

(Baonghean) - Over the past five years (2009-2013), implementing Government Resolution 30a, Que Phong district received over 223 billion VND from the central budget and nearly 25.5 billion VND from the local budget to eliminate dilapidated and temporary housing for 3,028 poor households in the district. People's lives have improved significantly, socio-economic conditions have changed positively, and the appearance of villages has been considerably transformed.

In Tien Phong commune, when talking about the construction projects in the area, the people of Phuong Tien 3 village all proudly mention the suspension bridge across the Nam Viet River, built with funding from Resolution 30a, which has made travel much easier for them. This suspension bridge, constructed in 2011 with a total investment of 4,592 million VND, has put an end to the long-standing need for villagers to cross the Nam Viet River by boat or raft. Mr. Bui Van Thu, a resident of Phuong Tien 3 village, sitting on his motorbike after crossing from Highway 48, excitedly said, "Since the government built the suspension bridge, most families in the village have bought motorbikes to travel and interact with society. Now, it only takes a few minutes for people in the village to get to the commune by motorbike."

"During the rainy season, children from these two villages no longer have to drop out of school because of rising river levels like before." Mr. Vo Khanh Toan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tien Phong commune, happily stated: "In recent years, the locality has received investment from the government to build many infrastructure projects and support models for production development, but the most effective and impactful for the people are the two suspension bridges, Phuong Tien 3 and Long Quang. These two villages, located on the other side of the Nam Viet River, were previously isolated from the market, leading to stagnation in the people's material and spiritual lives. Since the two sturdy suspension bridges were built across the river, the appearance of the villages has changed, and the people are confident in developing their economy and society."

The suspension bridge across the Nam Piet River leading to Phuong Tien 3 village, Tien Phong commune, was built using funds from program 30a.

To date, after 5 years of implementing the Government's Program 30a, Que Phong district has received investment for the construction of 33 infrastructure projects, including transportation, irrigation, schools, gravity-fed water supply systems, boarding houses for ethnic minority students, and the power grid. Each project has a different meaning and purpose, but all serve the people's well-being and stimulate socio-economic development in the locality, thus creating a lasting impression on the ethnic minority communities. Mr. Lang Van Minh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Que Phong district, said: Identifying the purpose of Program 30a as social welfare, the district directs communes to propose projects based on the urgent needs of the people before investing in any construction. Therefore, every project has proven effective.

Thanks to investments in various policies under Resolution 30a, the ethnic minority communities in Que Phong district have seen positive changes. By the end of 2013, the average per capita income in Que Phong reached over 9 million VND/year (an increase of 2 million VND compared to 2008), and the average per capita food production reached 343 kg/year (an increase of 33 kg compared to 2008). From 2009 to 2013, Que Phong reduced the number of poor households by 6-7% each year. The rate of trained and employed workers reached over 14%. The national power grid covers all 14/14 communes, with 90% of the population having access to the national power grid. In its policy of supporting production, creating jobs, and increasing people's income, Que Phong has reclaimed 154 hectares of rice paddies, provided 1,782 calves, 4,507 piglets, 29,336 kg of fish fry, and supported the construction of 3,989 livestock barns. Notably, nearly 30 agricultural and forestry extension models have been implemented, involving over 700 households, groups of households, and several units. Many of these models have been successful: passion fruit cultivation in Tri Le, the Japonica cold-resistant rice cultivation model, the model for preserving cardamom and sorghum for medicinal purposes, and the honey bee farming model...

In the following years, the People's Committee of Que Phong district determined to strengthen the dissemination of information to the people about the purpose and significance of the Government's Program 30a for ethnic minorities in particularly difficult areas. It continued to integrate capital sources, focusing on socio-economic development. It concentrated on directing the implementation of economic models, especially those that have proven effective, while also creating a ripple effect to replicate successful models. It continued to organize the allocation of land for production and the contracting of forest protection and care to poor households. The implementation of the objectives of Resolution 30a was linked to the implementation of criteria for building new rural areas.

Text and photos:Xuan Hoang