Creating livelihoods for young people in mountainous areas.

(Baonghean) - After 3 years of implementing the "Sustainable Livelihood Project for Youth in Western Nghe An Districts" (Actinonaid), several effective livelihood models have emerged, creating stable jobs and contributing to economic development and social welfare in poor mountainous communes...

Hand over the fishing rod.

Among the economic development models for young people in Que Phong district, a prime example is the passion fruit cultivation model of Youth Union member Vi Van Son (Yen Son village, Tri Le commune). Born and raised in a difficult border region, his dream was to escape poverty and have a stable life. However, relying on small plots of land for farming, with infertile soil and harsh weather, poverty and hunger persisted. His family's economic situation began to change when the Que Phong District Youth Union, in coordination with the Provincial Cooperative Alliance, implemented several activities under the "Sustainable Livelihoods for Youth in Western Nghe An Districts" project, aimed at helping young people escape poverty through economic activities, including training courses on passion fruit cultivation techniques.

Trainees participate in a training course on growing fragrant root plants in Quy Chau.

After applying passion fruit cultivation techniques learned from the training course organized by the project, the yield of this crop increased significantly, bringing high economic efficiency. In 2015, with 1.3 hectares of passion fruit, he harvested 16 tons of fresh fruit, selling it at 10,000 VND/kg, earning 160 million VND. In 2016, with the knowledge he had acquired, Mr. Son cared for the plants, controlled pests and diseases, and fertilized according to instructions, resulting in good growth of the passion fruit plants. After deducting expenses, he estimated a profit of about 150 million VND. To date, his family has escaped poverty and purchased many modern conveniences for their lives.

Previously, the family of Mr. Loc Van Son (Co Nguu village, Chau Thon commune, Que Phong district) relied solely on income from their fields, growing corn and cassava, and the allowance from his position as village head. Despite their strength and diligence, their lack of knowledge and inability to find effective ways to raise livestock or cultivate crops meant their lives remained impoverished. In 2015, after participating in a training program on straw mushroom production techniques, he found a new direction for his livelihood. He boldly invested in mushroom spawn and collected straw to cultivate straw mushrooms. Through trial and error, his family now has over 600 mushroom bags, harvesting 5-6 kg daily, generating an income of 250,000-300,000 VND per day. Currently, over 30 households in the village are involved in mushroom cultivation, selling everything they produce, which has brought great joy to everyone.

Collaboration to create sustainable livelihoods

Along with training and livelihood model development, the Provincial Cooperative Union has proactively exploited provincial programs and projects such as Project 231 of the Provincial People's Committee on cooperative development in the period 2014-2020 to develop cooperatives in the area, linking them with the consumption of agricultural products for young people and households to ensure sustainable development.

Many young people in the mountainous region of Que Phong have risen out of poverty thanks to passion fruit.

In Que Phong district, there are currently 22 cooperatives offering a variety of services; among them, the Dong Tien Agricultural, Forestry, and Fisheries Service Cooperative stands out. Established in 2014, after two years of operation, the cooperative has made breakthroughs in production and business. According to Mr. Lo Van Tien, the cooperative's director, it is currently focusing on key activities such as: harvesting forest products from the Hua Na hydroelectric reservoir with a production of 200 m3/year, harvesting bamboo with a yield of 300-400 tons/year, catching fish in the reservoir with an average of 4-5 quintals/day, operating over 30 fish cages, providing land plowing services for local people, and growing corn for livestock farming and forest protection. Currently, the cooperative provides employment for over 200 local workers with an average income of 4-5 million VND/month.

Comrade Nguyen Ba Hien - Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Van commune, Que Phong district, said: "In 2015, the commune allocated funds to organize two study tours to learn from experience and called for joint ventures and partnerships to sell products. As a result, TH Milk Joint Stock Company has signed a contract to purchase 30 hectares of corn from 20 households, and Van Phan Fish Sauce Company has signed a contract to purchase fish caught from the reservoir area."

In 2016, the project was implemented in Quy Chau district. Current surveys in Quy Chau district show that the cultivation of agarwood roots only meets 10% of the incense production needs of local households. The project has developed and expanded a model for agarwood root cultivation to achieve objectives such as job creation, income generation, and social security stability. In 2016, training courses were organized with over 100 participants; at the end of the courses, over 80% of participants fully grasped the planting, care, and harvesting processes. Currently, the Provincial Cooperative Alliance has worked with the Quy Chau District People's Committee and the Quy Chau District Youth Union on supporting young people in planning raw material production areas, accessing loans, and building brands, etc.

Over the past three years, the "Sustainable Livelihoods for Ethnic Minority Youth" project has proven its role and effectiveness in poverty alleviation for young people in the western region of Nghe An province by providing them with the "tools" to take initiative in production. The positive results from the pilot implementation in Que Phong district are a promising sign for the model to be replicated in other western districts of Nghe An province in the future.

Mushroom products from the Project trainees.

Text and photos:Phuong Thao