(VOVworld) – Quang Binh province selected 6 communes in 6 districts to pilot the national program for building new rural areas. Local people have actively become involved in the program, and feel a high sense of responsibility.

A newly paved road in Xuan Ninh commune (photo: baoquangbinh.vn)

After 3 years of implementing the new rural areas program, almost all piloted localities, 70 communes in Quang Binh province, have achieved 8 to 12 of the 19 new rural criteria. 100 km of rural road were built and schools and public places have been upgraded. Tens of thousands of households donated 250,000 sq.m of land for the program.

In Xuan Ninh commune, Quang Ninh district, the villagers are trying to complete this year’s targets. Nguyen Truong Tien, Chairman of Xuan Ninh People’s Committee, said the commune has successfully mobilized the people’s voluntary participation. The villagers donated 1,000 sq.m of land and money to build and expand inter-hamlet roads. Mr. Tien says the commune has set out to achieve all criteria by 2015. “The commune began the national program of new rural development in 2010. We have completed 9 programs and are working on achieving the other criteria. The people support the program. We aim to improve people’s living conditions.

In Quang Phuc commune, Quang Trach district, where 90% of the population are Christians, the local people also voluntarily contributed land, money, and labor to build rural roads. Nguyen Chi Doai, a villager, says: “We are delighted and sympathetic to the idea of donating land to build roads. The countryside has been improved with good roads and 3-storey-houses.”

Quang Binh province has mobilized nearly 25 million USD to build new rural areas, including capital from the state budget, credit, enterprises, and people. Hoang Van Min is Deputy Director of the Quang Binh provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The province has prioritized a state budget for communes which have nearly achieved all 19 criteria. The communes and districts will enhance communication and encourage people to become involved in building roads to ease transport issues and improve people’s living conditions. 

The communes and districts have applied new production models and adopted new animal and plant varieties. With the people’s consensus and the administration’s effort, Quang Binh province has obtained impressive results in developing new rural areas.