(VOVworld) – Two years ago, the southern province of Tra Vinh piloted the new rural development program in My Long Nam commune and then replicated the model to 17 other communes. So far, they have fulfilled almost all of the new rural criteria and improved the rural infrastructure.

Checking new variety of rice (travinh.gov.vn)

Building a complete rural road system is the outstanding achievement of two years of implementing the national rural improvement program in My Long nam commune. Upgraded village and hamlet roads have made transportation easier. Kien Thi Thia Ri of hamlet 5 says: “I have run a small business for over 10 years. In the past, traffic was difficult and the roads were muddy. We now have paved roads, which makes traffic easier and has improved my business.”

Tra Vinh province has invested over 80 million USD in rural infrastructure and the people have contributed 2 million USD in work. In My Long Nam, families donated 1.6 ha of land for water supply and irrigation works and inter-hamlet roads. Le Van Te’s family donated 1,000 square meters of land and Tran Van Xuyen gave 50 square meters of land and 2400 USD. Mr. Xuyen said the government has invested tens of millions of USD on building infrastructure to support our production and improve our lives. He was happy to contribute in a small way to building his home village. Monk Thach Sa Thanh, head of the Prom pagoda in Chau Dien commune, has raised funds for three bridges. “The bridge costs around 20,000 USD. People in Ho Chi Minh city donated more than half of the sum and the local people donated the rest. It took 78 days to build one bridge, equivalent to 1,760 man-days.” Thach said.

Tra Vinh province has focused on irrigation works, and measures to improve product quality and competitiveness. The villagers have organized groups to help each other produce and sell products. Thach Xuong, a member of an organic vegetable group in Hoa Loi commune in Chau Thanh district, says they don’t have to worry about sales. Their task is to grow vegetables according to technical standards to ensure quality. Thach Xuong says: “I have attended many training courses and conferences. I’ve learned new planting techniques to improve output and quality. Our lives have been improved.”

Bui Thanh Lam, head of Tra Vinh province’s Department of rural development, says: “Tra Vinh has 85 communes and we’ll try to have 20% of them fulfill the criteria of the new rural development program by 2015. Long Duc and Phu Can communes, which have fulfilled 16 of the criteria, hope to fulfill all 19 criteria this year.”

Authorities and social organizations have adopted measures matched to local conditions and have successfully mobilized the community to achieve the program’s targets.

Chanh Tuy