Cu Thang rises from inner strength

Participating in the Cattle Breeding Professional Association has helped farmer Dinh Van Tranh in Go Tre area develop a stable and sustainable economy .

Identifying economic development and sustainable poverty reduction as key tasks, in which agriculture plays a key role in the economic structure, Cu Thang commune has focused on synchronously implementing agricultural development solutions towards commodity production. Local authorities have proactively mobilized maximum resources, effectively integrated capital sources from the National Target Program and support policies to invest in building rural infrastructure, especially inter-village and intra-field transportation systems, facilitating production and circulation of goods.

Along with that, the commune has promoted the consolidation of land plots, creating favorable conditions for production; at the same time, it has strengthened propaganda and mobilized people to change the structure of crops and livestock, apply scientific and technical advances, and bring mechanization into production. Many hilly areas have been converted to grow perennial fruit trees with high economic value such as grapefruit, tea, etc. Currently, the whole commune has nearly 48 hectares of tea, of which more than 40 hectares have produced stable products; the grapefruit growing area has reached nearly 20 hectares with 19 hectares being harvested. In 2023, the commune has successfully built a 3-star OCOP product with the brand name "Cu Thang Rice Noodles". The product has contributed to bringing economic efficiency, improving people's lives, and at the same time diversifying rice noodle products in the homeland of the Ancestral Land.

Taking advantage of the hilly area, Cu Thang also focuses on developing the forestry economy. The total area of concentrated planted forests reaches over 120 hectares, with timber exploitation output reaching nearly 10,000m3. Along with cultivation, livestock farming is also considered a key development direction. Currently, the whole commune has nearly 1,000 buffaloes and cows, over 3,900 pigs, more than 100,000 poultry and nearly 1,500 honey bee colonies.

In order to build a chain of linkages in livestock farming, in 2023, the Farmers' Association of Cu Thang Commune mobilized the establishment of the Cu Thang Commune Breeding Cow Farmer Association with 25 members. This is an effective operating model, creating conditions for members to exchange experiences, receive training, technical guidance, disease prevention and access to scientific and technical advances. At the beginning of the year, the Provincial Farmers' Support Fund supported 500 million VND for 10 households who are members of the Association to borrow capital to implement the "Breeding Cow Farmer" Project.

Cu Thang rises from inner strength

Cu Thang rice noodles products are present at fairs introducing OCOP products in and outside the province.

Ms. Dinh Thi Thao - Head of the Association of Farmers in the profession of Cattle Breeding said: “Since joining the Association, livestock households have been supported in both capital and technology. Fattening cattle easily meets weight standards, sells for a good price, and makes a clear profit. Members also take the initiative to plant, ferment grass, and utilize agricultural by-products as feed, both saving costs and ensuring environmental hygiene. Livestock farming is no longer a sideline, but is truly a stable and sustainable source of livelihood for Cu Thang farmers.”

Not only focusing on agricultural and forestry development, with its central location in the commune cluster, Cu Thang is gradually promoting industry, handicrafts, trade and services. Up to now, the whole commune has 7 enterprises and companies in operation; nearly 190 production and business establishments in the fields of garment, electronics, construction, transportation, wood processing, tea... These establishments are creating stable jobs for over 800 local workers, with an average income of 7-8 million VND/person/month.

Identifying the shift in labor structure as an important direction to increase income and sustainably reduce poverty, in recent times, Cu Thang has focused on vocational training for rural workers. From vocational training programs of the province and district to coordinated activities of mass organizations, the commune has organized training courses with suitable occupations such as veterinary animal husbandry, mechanics, garment making, etc. Through training, many workers have had stable jobs in the locality or neighboring industrial parks.

Comrade Dang Quoc Bao - Chairman of the Commune People's Committee said: We promote propaganda and mobilize people to boldly invest in machinery and apply science and technology in production to improve productivity and product quality; encourage entities with products that meet the standards to register for OCOP products, thereby increasing the value of local specialties and contributing to increasing people's income. The material and spiritual life of the people is constantly improving, the average income of the commune reaches over 42 million VND/person/year, 87% of families are recognized as cultural families, 12/12 areas are recognized as Cultural Residential Areas, the poverty rate has decreased to 3.48%, and near-poor households have decreased to 2.3%.

Thu Giang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/cu-thang-vuon-len-tu-noi-luc-233861.htm