Local officials and their journey in poverty reduction.

In recent years, sustainable poverty reduction has been a bright spot in the socio-economic development landscape of Thai Nguyen province. This achievement is thanks to the synchronized efforts of the entire political system, in which grassroots officials play a crucial role with their quiet and persistent contributions to the poverty reduction journey.

Officials from the Dong Hy Social Policy Bank discuss loan policies with local residents.

During the period 2022-2024, the multidimensional poverty rate in the province decreased from 10.29% to 5.46%; in ethnic minority areas alone, it decreased by nearly 8.7%. These figures reflect the effectiveness of targeted programs, the decisive leadership of Party committees and authorities at all levels, and also demonstrate the important role of officials directly working in the field and closely with the people in the process of implementing policies.

In Dong Phuc commune, an area still facing many difficulties, Ms. Trieu Thanh Hoa, a specialist in the commune's Economic Department, always closely monitors the production development movement. She both conveys policies and guidelines through training sessions and directly goes to the fields and tea plantations to guide people in adjusting their methods to suit the local situation.

Ms. Hoa shared: "To get people to change their farming practices, officials must work alongside them. When they see the effectiveness of specific models, the people will trust and proactively follow suit."

Along with professional staff, grassroots organizations play a crucial bridging role in delivering policies and guidelines to the right target audience.

Ms. Duong Thi Hong, Vice President of the Farmers' Association of Phu Luong commune, said: "The Association regularly stays close to the grassroots, thoroughly understanding the circumstances of each poor member to choose appropriate forms of support, from credit guarantees for loans, production guidance to propaganda and mobilization to change business mindsets."

With the perspective that poverty reduction is a long-term process, through mass organizations, savings and loan groups, and production cooperatives, people have access to both economic resources and production knowledge. Through this, awareness of commodity production, responsibility in capital use, and proactive efforts to find markets for products are gradually formed.

In this support program, policy-based credit is identified as a crucial "lever" to help the poor build livelihoods.

Mr. Tran Hien Thanh, Deputy Director of the Dong Hy Social Policy Bank, said: "Along with lending activities, the unit always closely coordinates with local authorities and organizations in reviewing eligible recipients, monitoring and guiding people to use capital for the right purposes and maximize its effectiveness. Thanks to preferential loans, many households have invested in livestock farming, tea and fruit tree cultivation, and developed trading services, gradually forming stable livelihoods."

From a state management perspective, sustainable poverty reduction is identified by localities as a central and ongoing task. Local authorities play a coordinating role, connecting resources and ensuring that policies are implemented synchronously, targeting the right beneficiaries and closely aligned with reality.

Mr. Diep Van Nam, Chairman of the Tan Ky Commune People's Committee, affirmed: The locality does not pursue quantitative poverty reduction achievements but focuses on quality. The motto is that each household, after escaping poverty, must have a truly stable livelihood and minimize the risk of falling back into poverty. Officials are assigned to be in charge of each village and each group of households at risk of falling back into poverty to promptly grasp the situation and resolve difficulties.

Poverty reduction today is a process of raising people's intellectual level, changing production mindsets, and moving towards sustainable livelihoods. With this orientation, Thai Nguyen strives to reduce the number of poor households by 1-1.5% each year during the 2026-2030 period; reduce the number of poor households by at least 3% in disadvantaged communes and by 3-4% among ethnic minority households.

To realize this goal, the role of grassroots officials continues to be identified as a key factor. Through their dedication, responsibility, and close connection with the people, they serve as a bridge to bring poverty reduction policies into practice, creating a sustainable foundation at the grassroots level.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202512/can-bo-co-so-voi-hanh-trinh-giam-ngheo-5d9053f/