From a policy that is in line with the people's will.

(Baonghean)Following the Party Committee's policy of restructuring crop and livestock production towards commodity production, the lives of the people in Bong Khe (Con Cuong) have changed significantly. People have learned to adapt their farming methods, gradually striving to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth…

Passing through villages with well-built houses, and across lush green fields of peanuts, beans, corn, and potatoes, we felt the prosperity and well-being of the Bong Khe area (Con Cuong). When we asked to visit the village's livestock farming models, Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, the head of Vinh Hoan village in Bong Khe commune, enthusiastically got on his motorbike and led us on our way.

Passing through the summer-autumn bean fields where the villagers were busy harvesting and across vast areas of elephant grass, we were led by Mr. Tan to the Con Den area, a concentrated grazing area for buffalo and cattle, with dozens of animals grazing. “My family has four mother cows and six bulls that we are fattening. Occasionally, I bring them here to graze and exercise them, but normally we keep them in the barn and feed them well. The main food source is elephant grass grown along the riverbanks. To feed these dozen cows, my family cultivates over four acres of grass, harvesting it in rotation…” Mr. Le Quang Tam shared. Looking at the sleek, healthy, and plump cows, we realized that Mr. Tam's family puts a lot of effort into caring for their herd. After all, it is their main source of income.

With a comprehensive approach to developing livestock production and breeding, increasing both quantity and quality; applying scientific and technological advancements to improve breeds and investing in increased productivity and output, the Party Committee and People's Committee of Bong Khe commune have concretized policies and implemented them among the people. Nearly three years after the implementation of the policy to develop commercial buffalo and cattle farming, the people in the villages have gained significant income, contributing greatly to poverty reduction. Besides breeding cattle, the villagers also buy cattle from other areas to fatten and sell. This activity has become bustling and is becoming the main occupation for many families. The value of commercial buffalo and cattle farming has encouraged many households to boldly borrow capital to buy cattle and convert some less productive agricultural land to growing grass for livestock. From this, the people of Bong Khe have created significant changes in their family lives, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.

Vinh Hoan village is considered a prime example of a model for developing commercial livestock farming in accordance with the Party Committee's guidelines. Of the 214 households in the village, 170 are engaged in commercial buffalo and cattle farming, with the number of animals ranging from 700 to 800. The villagers have planted over 6-7 hectares of elephant grass to support their livestock, making it one of the localities with the largest area of ​​planted grass in the province. To help families raise livestock effectively, the village committee closely cooperates with veterinary officers from the commune and district to disseminate knowledge on disease prevention and control, as well as effective farming methods. As a result, the buffalo and cattle herds in Vinh Hoan have thrived for many years. Building on this success, people in other villages such as Village 2-9 and Tan Hoa village have also promoted livestock farming combined with grass cultivation, creating jobs and stable income.

People in Vinh Hoan (Bong Khe, Con Cuong) are harvesting beans for the summer-autumn crop.

Comrade Nguyen Van Hung - Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Bong Khe commune, affirmed: “The cultivation of grass and confined livestock farming in the villages of the commune has become a strong development movement. This form of farming utilizes the land along the river that cannot be used for crop cultivation to grow grass, while confined farming has reduced the impact of buffaloes and cows on crops and effectively prevented and controlled diseases. The Party Committee and People's Committee of the commune have directed agricultural and veterinary officials to strengthen coordination with the District Veterinary Station to regularly visit villages to support people in developing livestock farming. We advocate for strengthening the support of commune officials as an important driving force to help people develop production and livestock farming, and improve their lives…”

Besides promoting livestock development, Bong Khe commune also focuses on restructuring crop patterns to achieve high economic efficiency. New, high-yielding varieties are being introduced to replace older, degraded ones. Simultaneously, intercropping of cash crops on land previously used for two rice crops and land specifically for cash crops is being implemented, bringing high income to the people and gradually improving their living standards.

Specifically, the Party Committee directed the establishment of a technical team of 6 people to coordinate with the Plant Protection Station, the Agricultural Extension Station, and the District Department of Agriculture to promptly supplement crop care and pest control plans. Particularly on the 215 hectares of alluvial land, the commune has strongly advocated for a shift towards planting high-economic-value cash crops. In the last two years, the commune has directed the promotion of peanut and bean cultivation and converted 25 hectares to growing chili peppers for export, generating three times the income compared to growing corn.

Based on this model, the commune plans to increase the cultivated area to 50 hectares next year, contributing to improved production efficiency per unit area. Along with the restructuring of crop and livestock production, the commune has created favorable conditions for people to access investment capital. Thanks to the efforts of the people and the close attention of the Party committee and government, after half of the term of the 20th Party Congress (2010-2015), the number of poor households in the commune has decreased from 24% to 17%, and people's lives have gradually improved. The people of the commune are enthusiastically boosting production and developing the economy, aiming for a rich and diverse commodity-based agricultural production system while preserving the landscape and cultural identity.

The lessons learned after half a term of implementing the congress's goals, as drawn by the Bong Khe Commune Party Committee, include improving the leadership and management capacity and sense of responsibility of the team of officials and civil servants in carrying out assigned tasks. Party committees, government agencies, and mass organizations at all levels should promptly inform the people about the mechanisms and policies of the Party and State in socio-economic development. At the same time, they should strengthen coordination between the commune's Party organization, government, and Fatherland Front with mass organizations from the commune to the village level, enhance inspection and supervision, and dedicate time to closely monitor villages to organize and implement the assigned goals and plans.

Inspired by the Party's will and the people's aspirations, the implementation of the land consolidation and exchange policy has given the people of Bong Khe commune renewed confidence that this will be a new step in poverty alleviation through agricultural production, thereby ensuring social welfare, economic development, and stability in security, order, and social safety in the area.

Nguyen Son