Ensure the new rural construction program is implemented continuously, effectively and synchronously.

After operating under the 2-level local government model, Quang Ninh reduced from 171 communes and wards to 54 communes, wards and special zones (including 22 communes). This creates space and motivation for local development, but also raises the problem of building new rural areas (NTM) with new difficulties and challenges. Reporters of Quang Ninh Newspaper, Radio and Television interviewed comrade Nguyen Chi Mai, Head of the Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development (Department of Agriculture and Environment).

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Comrade Nguyen Chi Mai, Head of the Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development (Department of Agriculture and Environment).

- Could you please tell us about any changes in the direction of the new rural construction program after Quang Ninh implemented the 2-level government model ?

+ The implementation of the 2-level local government model is a fundamental innovation in the organizational structure, leading to the requirement to adjust the way of directing the national target programs in general and the new rural construction program in particular. Immediately after the Government issued Decree 131/2025/ND-CP, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 3724/QD-UBND (dated October 6, 2025) authorizing the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment to perform many state management tasks in the fields of agriculture , rural areas and environment. Accordingly, the direction of the implementation of the new rural construction program is streamlined, more direct and effective; programs, plans, instructions and supervision are directly managed by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Commune People's Committee, shortening the process and increasing timeliness. In addition, the Commune People's Committee is given more initiative and responsibility for the results of implementing the criteria.

- How does streamlining the administrative apparatus affect the process of organizing and implementing NTM criteria at the grassroots level, comrade?

+ Merging communes that have met NTM and advanced NTM standards helps inherit infrastructure, production models, human resources and management experience, creating a favorable foundation for maintaining and improving the quality of indicators and criteria. However, besides the advantages, there are also difficulties, such as: Communes after the arrangement have not been recognized as meeting NTM standards under the new commune name, so it is necessary to carry out a review and evaluation process, which requires a lot of time and procedures. Some communes have differences in income, infrastructure and staff capacity, making it difficult to review and synchronize criteria. The streamlined administrative apparatus increases the workload, while grassroots officials are in charge of many fields and need support in skills and expertise.

- Faced with these difficulties, what solutions has the Department of Agriculture and Environment advised the province to ensure that the new rural construction program in this period is implemented continuously and effectively?

+ We have proactively researched many key and synchronous solutions. In particular, we focused on advising the province on the work of perfecting the Steering Committee; organizing a provincial-level interdisciplinary inspection team to review the reality in 22 communes; guiding localities to complete missing criteria; re-evaluating the current status of the new rural construction program of Quang Ninh after the arrangement to serve as a basis for advising on the development and orientation of the program implementation for the period 2026-2030. The Department of Agriculture and Environment has also organized training for grassroots officials to implement the new rural construction program in 2025. This is a new point, an important task with the goal of improving the capacity of commune and village officials, helping them master the process, skills of appraising, synthesizing and reporting the results of the new rural criteria, especially in the context of the new organizational structure.

- Could you tell us what key goals, tasks and solutions the province's new rural construction program will focus on in the coming time?

+ We are focusing on perfecting the mechanism, issuing a set of NTM and OCOP criteria for the period 2026-2030, with a vision to 2035, in which we aim to strive for 100% of communes to meet NTM standards in this period. Regarding specific tasks and solutions, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will advise on the organization, management and implementation of NTM construction according to the planning, ensuring synchronization and conformity with the goals of industrialization, urbanization and sustainable development. Promoting the role of the people, community and businesses according to the principle: "People know, people discuss, people do, people check, people benefit". At the same time, focus on implementing 3 strategic breakthroughs: Completing rural socio-economic infrastructure; developing the rural economy in a modern, green and sustainable direction; focusing on developing culture, education, health care and social security, preserving traditional values.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment will strengthen inspection, supervision and evaluation of the program implementation according to the principles of publicity, transparency and practicality; encourage the spirit of responsibility, creativity and companionship of the whole society in building new rural areas and sustainable poverty reduction.

Thank you, comrade!

Nguyen Ngoc (performed)

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dam-bao-chuong-trinh-xay-dung-ntm-duoc-trien-khai-lien-tuc-hieu-qua-dong-bo-3380468.html