(VOVworld) – Son Duong commune, Lam Thao district, is one of the three selected communes in the northern province of Phu Tho to pilot building new rural areas. In 2 years, the commune has achieved 18 of 19 new rural criteria, a result attributed to unity and consensus in the community.
An inter-commune road is being expanded (photo: phutho.gov.vn) |
A 7 km inter-hamlet road and 80% of the lanes in Son Duong commune have been paved. Inter-field canals have been upgraded to supply sufficient water for agricultural production. We found farmer Mai Viet Thanh visiting his rice field. "The new rural program has received the people’s support. The commune has seen many positive changes and traditional cultural features have been restored. The water supply and irrigation works have been upgraded. Previously, farm work was very hard especially in the rainy season. The people highly appreciate the Party and Government’s new policy." Thanh said
An advantage for the new rural development program is local residents donating land for inter-hamlet roads and canals. People in Son Duong donated nearly 10,000 square meters of land to build canals. Nguyen Thi Sen is a villager. "I gave 240 sq meters. We volunteered to do it. We also encouraged our neighbors to give land to build inter-hamlet roads. Now we have smooth, convenient roads."
Son Duong commune successfully completed two criteria of transportation and irrigation, which benefits local economic development. The number of poor households fell to 5% last year. Work has gradually shifted from agriculture to services and small scale industries. More shops and small businesses are open in Son Duong commune.
Developing household economy is a way to help Son Duong fulfill criteria in new rural development- Photo: baomoi.com |
The commune has completed rezoning 240 ha of farm land into production areas, including 27.7 ha of aquatic farms. New varieties of animals and plants have increased productivity and incomes for farmers. The average per capita income of 16.5 million Dong in 2011 increased to 18 million Dong in 2012.
This year, the province will focus on waste water treatment and environmental protection. Do Duc Thang is Vice Chairman of Son Duong commune’s People’s Committee. Thang said: "Our task this year is to improve waste water drainage. We will persuade people to upgrade and build hygienic sanitation works at the standard set by the Ministry of Health. The authorities will allocate money from the budget to support the villagers."
Son Duong commune is acknowledged as the most successful model of new rural development in Phu Tho province. The provincial Steering board on building new rural areas will review the 3 pilot communes and replicate their good practices in other communes.
Bui Thu/ Vinh Phong