Building new rural areas in Lien Thanh (Yen Thanh): Taking economy as the foundation

(Baonghean) -As a purely agricultural countryside, when implementing new rural construction, Lien Thanh commune identified economic development as the key task.

» Priest Nguyen Dinh Thuc incited parishioners

Diversify your career

As a purely agricultural area, when implementing the new rural construction, Lien Thanh commune identified economic development as the key task. Accordingly, the commune proposed solutions to diversify the form of production organization, applying scientific and technological advances to transform the structure of crops and livestock based on favorable conditions of each hamlet's land. Promoting the advantage of having a tradition of intensive farming and convenient irrigation water sources, the commune annually structures over 400 hectares specializing in rice production (two crops per year). At the same time, the movement of producing rice seeds is increasingly expanded. Each year, the commune cooperates with reputable domestic companies to produce nearly 1,000 tons of seeds of all kinds, bringing in 1.5 - 2 times more income than normal rice.

Lien Thanh Commune (Yen Thanh) has changed thanks to the new rural area. Photo: Anh Tuan

With many incentive mechanisms and practical effectiveness, Lien Thanh farmers maintain nearly 50 hectares of corn and vegetables for high income and boldly bid for land, transforming the agricultural production structure. The former wild swamps have now become fertile lands with farms and concentrated livestock farms for high income. For example, Mr. Thai Ba Thuy's family bid for land in Roc Mau Long to open a comprehensive livestock farm; each year they raise 200 pigs, 6,000 ducks and fish, earning over 300 million VND in profit.

A highlight of economic development in Lien Thanh is the introduction of a number of new industries that have created initial results. Recently, Lien Thanh has developed the turmeric starch processing industry. Currently, there are 20 households specializing in purchasing and selling fresh turmeric, producing and processing turmeric starch, bringing in high income. Mr. Pham Xuan Tuan (Cau Thong hamlet, Lien Thanh commune) - one of the large-scale turmeric starch producers in the area, said: "Every year, my family produces 2.5 - 3 tons of turmeric starch, earning about 400 - 500 million VND/year. This profession also creates regular jobs from October this year to May next year for the people."

In recent years, Lien Thanh Commune has introduced the high-income turmeric starch processing profession. (Photo: Anh Tuan).

Thanks to knowing how to exploit the favorable terrain near the district center, with National Highway 7B and district roads running through, Lien Thanh people have actively developed a variety of industries: Small-scale handicrafts, trading in construction materials, and goods and services. Currently, there are dozens of service and commercial establishments in the area. Veo Market with an area of ​​over 6,000m2, has been invested in and built spaciously by the commune, becoming a bustling trading center.

The local economy has developed rapidly and sustainably; the living standards of Lien Thanh people have been increasingly improved. The average income per capita of the commune has increased annually; by 2016 it reached nearly 27 million VND/person/year; the poverty rate has decreased to 3.67%. The diversification of occupations has contributed to creating regular jobs for over 93% of the local working-age population.

Mobilizing resources for infrastructure investment

With a large area, complex traffic, and implementing the movement to build new rural areas, Lien Thanh identified the construction of rural roads as one of the difficult criteria, requiring large resources. The Steering Committee for New Rural Construction of the commune has focused on attracting investment capital to support and reduce the contribution of the people. After receiving cement from the State, the momentum of concreting rural roads was bustling in the hamlets. Along with contributing labor, Lien Thanh people voluntarily donated land and assets on land, contributing an average of 200,000 VND/person to complete the roads according to the criteria. Currently, 100% of commune and inter-commune roads and 92% of village roads are asphalted and concreted; 100% of alley roads are hardened to ensure no mud in the rainy season; 78.5% of main roads in the fields are hardened; 86.92% of canals are solidified.

Class time at Lien Thanh Kindergarten (Yen Thanh). Photo: Dinh Nguyet

Up to now, Lien Thanh's kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools have been recognized as meeting national standards; contributing to improving the quality of education. The grassroots health care network has been consolidated and enhanced, the staff of basic health care workers has been standardized, ensuring primary health care for the people. The cultural infrastructure system of the commune has been invested synchronously, promoting the development of the commune's cultural, artistic, and sports movements; 12/13 hamlets have been recognized as meeting cultural standards. Rural security has been ensured; 99% of households have access to clean, hygienic water.

Regarding the building of the political system, the Party Committee of Lien Thanh commune has been recognized as Clean and Strong for 5 consecutive years; the government, the Fatherland Front and political organizations are annually recognized for completing their tasks well and excellently.

Discussing the orientation of building a new rural commune to develop in a sustainable direction, Mr. Dang Ngoc Cong - Chairman of Lien Thanh Commune People's Committee said: In the coming time, the commune will focus on promoting the propaganda of the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws to the people; promoting the sense of responsibility of the political system to raise awareness of Party members and officials; at the same time, continuing to mobilize resources in building new rural areas, to continue to improve the quality of low-achieving criteria such as: cultural and environmental criteria... Every year, there are solutions to focus on investing in those criteria to ensure sustainability.

The new rural construction movement has brought a new vitality to Lien Thanh commune, when the quality of life has been improved, both materially and spiritually. These days, returning to Lien Thanh, on the faces of every person is radiant joy as the countryside is getting better day by day.

Dinh Nguyet