Dao San innovates its thinking for sustainable development.

Previously, the people of Dao San commune mainly relied on slash-and-burn agriculture, growing rice and corn according to old customs, resulting in low and unstable yields. Food shortages still plagued some families. To help people develop their economy effectively, the local Party committee and government have intensified communication efforts to share successful models and innovative approaches with the people; encouraging them to diversify their crops and livestock, and apply scientific and technical advancements to production.

The people of Sểnh Sảng A village (Dào San commune) are developing fruit tree cultivation to increase their income.

The commune also coordinated the opening of training courses on farming and livestock techniques; and various organizations and associations acted as guarantors with banks to help people overcome difficulties in accessing capital. In particular, the commune effectively implemented national target programs for sustainable poverty reduction and new rural development to simultaneously develop infrastructure, rural roads, and roads to production areas, while supporting people in developing their economy.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Khan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dao San commune, said: Thanks to the implementation of many solutions, the people in the commune have gradually raised their awareness and changed their way of thinking and doing things. They have abandoned the idea of waiting and relying on government support, and are striving to improve themselves. Throughout the villages, people are encouraging each other to convert barren land, where rice and corn cultivation yields low returns, to planting new, high-yield, and high-quality varieties. In addition to rice cultivation, people are growing medicinal plants, temperate fruit trees (mainly peaches and pears), passion fruit, taro, ginger, etc.

Leaders of Dao San Commune People's Committee ( second from the right ) visit a cold-water fish farming model in Senh Sang A village.

Taking advantage of the cool climate, several cooperatives and units have developed cold-water fish farming and orchid cultivation. According to statistics, the entire Dao San commune currently has 1,252 hectares of food crops, 253 hectares of fruit trees, 118 hectares of ginger, 19 hectares of taro, and 8,250 pots of orchids.

In livestock and poultry farming, people have learned to develop a commercial direction, replacing free-range, self-sufficient farming. Many households have invested in building sturdy barns and paid attention to care, disease prevention, and protection against hunger and cold during the winter. In fact, although many localities in the province and even neighboring communes have been affected by African swine fever, Dao San commune is one of the rare localities in the province that has not been affected, and its livestock has been protected and developed well. Currently, the commune has over 9,700 head of livestock and 21,400 head of poultry.

Mr. Ma A Phu from Xi Phai village (Dao San commune) shared: “My family grows rice and corn, and raises six buffaloes and nearly a dozen pigs. While raising buffaloes, I proactively grow grass, supplement their diet with concentrated feed from corn and rice bran, give them salt water to drink in the winter, and surround the barn with tarpaulin, instead of letting them roam freely as before. After deducting expenses, my family earns 70-80 million VND per year, and our lives are gradually improving.”

Many households in Sin Chai village (Dao San commune) have developed businesses and engaged in trade.

Furthermore, with the advantage of having Provincial Road 132 running through it, Dao San Market – a large market attracting many people from neighboring communes such as Si Lo Lau and Khong Lao – has led many households in Dao San commune to boldly invest in business, trade, and services linked to tourism . Shops and stalls are opening up in the commune center, selling groceries, bicycles, motorbikes, and some households are selling food and providing accommodation services, generating high incomes. Total retail sales of goods and services from the beginning of the year to date are estimated at 38 billion VND. The average per capita income in the commune currently reaches 27.88 million VND.

Mr. Le Van Quyet (owner of Tuan Quyet motorbike shop in Sin Chai village, Dao San commune) has been selling motorbikes and bicycles for nearly 5 years. The products he sells are all reputable, trusted brands from Honda and Yamaha, known for their durability, powerful engines, and fuel efficiency.

Mr. Quyet said: "By anticipating customer needs and prioritizing trustworthiness in business, my family's business has been successful, with many regular customers and referrals from existing ones. Now, on average, my family sells several motorbikes and bicycles a month, and the additional repair services bring in a stable income for the family."

Thanks to support from the program to eliminate dilapidated and temporary housing, many poor households in Dao San commune now have new, sturdy homes.

The changes in Dao San stem not only from innovative thinking and actions in economic development but also from the participation of the people in implementing various movements. The main highlight is the people's collective efforts in contributing money and labor alongside the State to build new rural areas according to the motto "The State and the People work together"; supporting with money and labor to help poor and near-poor households replace temporary and dilapidated houses. According to statistics, in the first phase, over 400 households and in the second phase, 377 households received new houses under the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses. As a result, families have been able to stabilize their lives and develop economically. Now, the villages are more spacious and well-maintained; the inter-village road system has been expanded, with many concrete roads making travel more convenient; and the rural landscape of the commune is increasingly improving.

The achievements are a great testament to the solidarity of the people and demonstrate the concern of the Party and the State for the ethnic minority areas. We believe this will be a driving force for Dao San commune to continue striving for sustainable development, contributing to the further development of the border region of Lai Chau province.

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