(VOVworld) – Phuoc Hau commune is home to many Cham ethnic people in Ninh Thuan province. Over the past year, Cham people here have worked with local authorities to pave thousands of rural roads giving a boost to local transportation. VOV report Jasi reports on the initial achievements of new rural developments here.

Village gate to Phuoc Dong 1 comune in Phuoc Hau is colorfully decorated to welcome the 2011 Kate Festival. (Photo: www.baoninhthuan.com.vn)

Phuoc Hau commune is home to more than 3,500 households, half of which are Cham ethnic minority people. Over the past year, their living conditions have significantly improved with lots of houses now tiled, lush, green rice fields with paved roads leading to all the hamlets and communes. The roads that connect to the rice fields have also been upgraded, making it much easier for agricultural vehicles during harvest time. The village gates have been re-built and carved with the Cham tower logo (if a Cham commune) above its name in the Cham language. In addition, Cham village customs during weddings, funerals and traditional festivals have received the respect of the local administration. The close solidarity between the Cham and Kinh peoples has helped the new rural development program to be carried out much more easily, with local donations reaching 480,000 USD. 76-year-old Ba Binh Loi, a Cham man in Phuoc Dong commune, has donated 100 square meters of land and a month of his pension to the program and has encouraged his villagers and relatives to do likewise. Loi said, what he has done is to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example ‘I was born and grew up by rice fields. Moreover, Uncle Ho who was a statesman and a great man often helped the farmers to hoe the land, grow rice, and build dams so why shouldn’t I support my fellow villagers and relatives. As one of the older people in the commune, I decided to contribute as much as I could and hope that others will follow me. ’

Apart from investing and upgrading the local infrastructure, Phuoc Hau commune has worked with the provincial Department of Vegetation Protection to successfully use the ‘one must have and five down’ model when growing rice. Under the program, farmers are required to use certified seeds when planting, while reducing the density. The amount of used nitrogenous fertilizer, pesticides, the volume and frequency of irrigation, and the amount of losses during and post harvest are all taken into account. After two pilot projects on 10 hectares of rice in Truong Tho commune, productivity reached 90 quintals per hectare, 2 more than before. On top of his 900 hectares of rice, Phuoc Hau also has over 100 hectares of apple orchards, bringing in an average annual revenue of nearly 17,000 USD. Phuoc Hau has now completed 6 out of the 19 criteria on new rural development. Hua Van Bao, the commune’s Chairman, said that it has set a target of fulfilling 15 criteria by 2015 ‘We’ll continue with the public information campaign so they can get a better understanding of the new rural development program. We hope they’re aware that the program requires not only the government’s efforts but also contributions from local people.’

Jasi – VOV