(VOV) – Chiềng Xôm commune in Sơn La province has been chosen to implement a new rural development program. Its initiative in plan outlining and implementation has given the commune a new face. VOV’s Thu Thủy introduces to you the changes there.   

Many households in Chiềng Xôm commune have raised sows and porkers on large volume and made the annual income worth hundreds of millions of VND. (Photo: danviet.vn)

Located on the outskirts of Sơn La City, 300 km from Hanoi, Chiềng Xôm commune has more than 1,300 households of mainly Thai ethnics. In 2010, it was selected to pilot a program to build new rural areas. A steering board was set up to analyze the current situation and make a plan. Since the program got underway, the commune has witnessed significant improvements - expanded roads and local households starting to change their ways of production. Models for growing flowers and raising fish and pigs on a large scale have given villagers higher incomes. The commune has set a target of reducing the number of people involved in farming to 77%. Lò Văn Luân, Vice Chairman of the commune’s People’s Committee and vice head of the steering board for new rural development, said ‘We agreed on taking the initiative in implementing the program as the local are aware that this is an opportunity for them to improve their living.’

To date, Chiềng Xôm has fulfilled four of 19 criteria on new rural development. Some norms relating to irrigation, electricity, healthcare, education, and postal service have been half completed. Of the remaining criteria, the construction of trans-commune roads has been given to priority. Tòng Văn Phóng, head of Hụm hamlet in Chiềng Xôm commune, says that to achieve the set goal, local authorities have increased communications so that locals have a better understanding of the program’s importance. He explained further ‘We have organized many meetings to make people in the hamlet understand how the program will be implemented. Leaders from the Party Committee, the government, and representatives of social organizations and other locals participated in these meetings. We agreed that if the local road system is expanded, our children will benefit.’

The road leading to Hụm hamlet in Chiềng Xôm commune is under construction in pursuance to the new rural development program. (Photo: http://www.thiduakhenthuongvn.org.vn)

More than 7 km of roads and lanes in Chiềng Xôm have been upgraded. Many households have improved their homes, dredged canals, and donated land for building new roads. Lò Thị Hoan lives in Sảng hamlet where 15 households have donated a total area of 165 square meters to the new rural development program. She said ‘Communications have made us understand that new rural development will improve our living conditions, so we’re ready to participate in the program. My family cut 12 longan trees and 18 clumps of bamboos to clear a place for new roads. We’re glad to see the commune’s roads become wider and more convenient.’

Although local villagers have mobilized funding for the program, they still have a lot of things left to do to fulfill all 19 criteria.  

Thu Thủy – VOV