Improving livelihoods for ethnic minorities

On June 5th, the Project Management Board of “Improving the Livelihoods of Ethnic Minorities in Son La Province through Agriculture and Nutrition Improvement” held an inter-agency meeting with several departments and agencies; the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center; the Project Implementation Boards of Sop Cop and Bac Yen districts; and representatives from Save the Children International (SCI).

Inter-sectoral meeting of the project "Improving the livelihoods of ethnic minorities in Son La province through agriculture and improved nutrition".

The project, funded by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Save the Children International in Vietnam, was received by the Son La Provincial People's Committee and implemented from July 2023 to March 30, 2026. The project is being implemented in the communes of Muong Va, Sam Kha, and Pung Banh (Sop Cop district); and Chim Van, Lang Cheu, and Xim Vang (Bac Yen district). The project aims to improve the livelihoods of ethnic minorities through agricultural production, with a focus on gender equality, food security, and improved nutrition for mothers and children.

The delegates attending the meeting.

The project comprises three components: agriculture, nutrition, and policy advocacy. After nearly two years of implementation, 67 training courses have been organized on topics such as livestock farming techniques, vegetable cultivation, production group management skills, and business negotiation, with over 1,000 participants. Support has been provided to over 1,000 households and 30 production groups, including 24,450 poultry and livestock breeding stock and over 5,100 packets of various vegetable seeds.

Organized 11 training courses on maternal and child nutrition care and communication skills for behavioral change in maternal and child nutrition care for 200 participants. Conducted 246 prenatal check-ups at commune health stations and households; weighed and measured over 10,800 children under 2 years old. Established and operated 35 nutrition rehabilitation education centers in 47 villages, with over 3,300 malnourished children participating.

A representative from the Project Implementation Board of Púng Bánh commune, Sốp Cộp district, spoke at the meeting.

At the meeting, delegates discussed and highlighted the difficulties in implementing six rural transportation projects in the project's communes to ensure the benefits for the people; evaluating the effectiveness of the activities; and coordinating activities between units during implementation. They also discussed difficulties and experiences in maintaining agricultural models after support; and the implementation of the project after the establishment of a two-tiered local government system from July 1st…

A representative from Save the Children International (SCI) spoke at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, the representative of the Provincial Project Management Board acknowledged and accepted the suggestions and proposals of the delegates, and will coordinate with relevant agencies and units to implement solutions to overcome difficulties and continue the effective implementation of the project in the future.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/cai-thien-sinh-ke-cho-cac-dan-toc-thieu-so-cGIboiYHR.html