Technology opens sustainable livelihoods for mountain people

In the journey of sustainable poverty reduction, mountainous localities are witnessing strong changes when science and technology (S&T) are applied to every aspect of life and production. Not only creating high-quality products, technology also contributes to increasing income, creating jobs and arousing the aspirations of people in the highlands. Many livelihood models in Da Nang and the Central Central region are clear evidence of this development direction.

Technology – a new driving force in economic development in mountainous areas

In many mountainous communes where production conditions are still difficult, the application of technology has opened up a new direction to help people access modern economic models. One typical story is that of veteran Alang Bia, Avuong commune. After leaving the army, he cherished the desire to create jobs and bring practical benefits to the community. Realizing the great need for clean water in the mountainous area, he was determined to invest in a purified water production line.

Water disinfected with Ozone and UV rays that meet US standards for bottled water production is a good source of income for people (Illustration photo).

After many years of studying the model in Quang Nam (formerly Da Nang), in 2023, he boldly spent more than 200 million VND to build a reverse osmosis filtration system, sterilized with Ozone and UV rays that meet US standards to produce bottled water. The product is tested for safety and has a traceability code.

Despite many initial difficulties such as lack of experience and limited consumption market, with the spirit of a soldier, Mr. Alang Bia persevered in perfecting the process and diversifying product packaging. Thanks to stable quality, the product quickly gained the trust of the people. The current capacity reaches 2,000-3,000 liters/day, creating regular jobs for local workers.

His story not only reflects the effectiveness of technology application but also spreads the proactive, daring spirit of the highland people.

Value chain – the key to helping farmers master production

Besides technology, the value chain linkage model is becoming a strategic direction, helping people no longer produce individually but receive comprehensive support from seeds, techniques, care to consumption.

One of the poor households that became typical farms is the case of Mr. Briu Cheo, a Co Tu ethnic in Ben Giang commune, which is a clear proof. Once a poor household with an unstable income from hired labor, Mr. Cheo changed his life when he joined the commune's linkage model. With support in techniques, barns and breeds, he built a pig farming model following safe processes, limiting diseases and reducing costs.

Based on that foundation, he expanded to raising cows, chickens, growing bananas and managing 5 hectares of acacia forest, bringing in a stable income. Currently, his model earns more than 150 million VND/year and has become a learning destination for many households.

In Ca Dy commune, Mr. Ka Phu Beng also rose strongly thanks to appropriate support policies. With preferential loans, he improved the land and planted various fruit trees from jackfruit, oranges, grapefruits to bananas, combined with raising cows, pigs and chickens. The different types of trees with different harvest cycles help him have a year-round income.

He is now recognized as a good farmer, has built a solid house and sent his three children to university - something he "didn't dare think about before".

These models show that when farmers have access to the right support – from capital, technology to markets – they can fully master production and develop sustainable livelihoods.

The government creates a "pedestal" for multidimensional poverty reduction

Not only stopping at each small model, Da Nang considers sustainable poverty reduction as a strategic task. The city synchronously implements many policies: such as preferential loan support for startups. Vocational training and job introduction suitable for mountainous areas. From health, education , housing, clean water for poor households. Expanding policy beneficiaries, especially ethnic minorities. At the same time, building a connected social security data system to ensure support for the right subjects.

Expanding policy beneficiaries, especially ethnic minorities, is increasingly receiving attention (Illustration photo)

These policies contribute to eliminating the mentality of "fear of losing support" and at the same time create motivation for people to rise up.

With the common goal of working together for sustainable livelihoods. The combination of people's aspirations, government support and effective application of science and technology is creating a new development model for mountainous areas. Stories like those of Mr. Alang Bia, Mr. Briu Cheo or Mr. Ka Phu Beng are not only personal successes but also reflect the change in production thinking of the whole community.

With two "prongs" - synchronous policies and proactive spirit of the people, mountainous localities can fully expect a future of sustainable development, multidimensional poverty reduction and improved quality of life for each household.

According to Construction Newspaper

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/cong-nghe-mo-loi-sinh-ke-ben-vung-cho-nguoi-dan-mien-nui-197251130213502374.htm