A new look in new rural areas.

Following the provincial merger, the National Target Program for New Rural Development in the (new) Ca Mau province will officially enter a higher and larger-scale development phase. Not only does this open up opportunities for strong regional linkages, but the merger of Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces also creates favorable conditions for localities to continue improving the quality of new rural areas, aiming to build livable and sustainably developed rural communities.

Opportunity for a breakthrough

Expanding administrative boundaries and creating new development drivers, the merger of the two provinces will contribute to enhancing the efficiency of investment management and regional coordination, thereby accelerating the process of building new rural areas in a synchronized, modern, and sustainable manner. This is a core element in building advanced and model new rural areas, aiming to improve the quality of life for rural people.

Before the merger, Ca Mau had 69 out of 82 communes recognized as meeting the New Rural Area standards, including 11 communes meeting the advanced New Rural Area standards, and one district-level unit recognized by the Prime Minister as having completed the New Rural Area construction task. In Bac Lieu, to date, the entire province has 49 out of 49 communes meeting the New Rural Area standards (100%), 24 communes meeting the advanced New Rural Area standards, and 9 communes meeting the model New Rural Area standards. These results serve as a foundation for the development of the Program in the future.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Dan, from Vinh Thanh commune, Phuoc Long district ( Bac Lieu province), happily stated: “The movement to build new rural areas, advanced new rural areas, and model new rural areas in our locality has truly transformed the face of the countryside. Specifically, electricity, roads, schools, and health stations have been invested in and upgraded. Ornamental plants have been planted along both sides of the roads, bringing a green and lush landscape to the countryside. The lives of our people have improved, and security and order are ensured.”

One of the key highlights following the merger is the replanning of the infrastructure system towards regional connectivity. Many inter-commune and inter-provincial roads have been upgraded, ensuring smooth connections from rural areas to economic centers, contributing to reduced transportation costs and promoting agricultural product consumption. The transportation and irrigation infrastructure has been expanded, aiming for green and sustainable agricultural development. The OCOP program is expected to create significant impetus for agriculture, farmers, and rural areas, as the new Ca Mau province will have more distinctive products bearing the brands of the two former localities.

Comrade Pham Van Thieu (far left), Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Lieu province, visits the OCOP product display booth of Vinh Loi district.

Expanding the scope of development

Bac Lieu province, after its re-establishment (January 1, 1997), started from a very low point, facing significant difficulties in both infrastructure and people's lives. However, after 15 years of building new rural areas, the face of the province's countryside has greatly improved. Infrastructure (transportation, electricity, schools, healthcare, cultural facilities, clean water, etc.) and the rural environment have all been enhanced, and the material and spiritual lives of rural people have improved. The poverty rate has decreased steadily year by year, average incomes have steadily increased, and many effective agricultural production models have been replicated.

The National Target Program for building new rural areas has met the needs and aspirations of the people, thus receiving enthusiastic support from the people, who have donated land for rural roads, schools, and cultural centers... This is the result of the persistent efforts of the entire political system; the unity between the Party's will and the people's aspirations. Now, with Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces "joining forces," the program is expected to continue reaping new fruits.

New features in the countryside of Phong Thanh Tay A commune, Phuoc Long district.

The renaming of communes after mergers raises many concerns about local identity, product branding, and administrative stability. However, this is also an opportunity for communes to review their development plans, determine a vision and strategy suitable for the larger area. Mr. Trinh Van Dung, from Chau Thoi commune, Vinh Loi district (Bac Lieu province), said: “After the merger, the commune will be larger. I think the criteria for new rural communes, advanced new rural communes, and model new rural communes will be raised. Accordingly, the investment resources for this program will hopefully be higher so that rural areas and former revolutionary base areas can develop even more in the future.”

Following the merger, Ca Mau province is orienting its development towards advanced and model new rural communes, linked to ecological agriculture, green economy, and climate change adaptation. This transformation is in line with the actual conditions and development strategy of the Mekong Delta region. Mr. Ngo Vu Thang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Lieu province, emphasized: “The merger of Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces is an important milestone to continue striving towards a higher goal of building increasingly civilized and modern rural areas, especially in the current period of significant changes. Rural areas belonging to advanced and model new rural communes will continue to take on a new appearance with new names, new spaces, and new aspirations. Communes that have achieved advanced and model new rural commune standards need to continue to strive with determination, aiming for higher and more sustainable standards.”

Building new rural areas in the post-merger period is a strategic step in the comprehensive and sustainable development of rural areas. With its achievements, aspirations, and determination for innovation, the (new) Ca Mau province affirms its position in building new rural areas, contributing to realizing the aspiration of building rural areas into livable villages.

Minh Dat

Source: https://baocamau.vn/dien-mao-moi-บน-nhung-vung-que-moi-a39935.html