Changes in Kim Bac

Following a winding path, we ascended the mountain slope to Kim Bac – a hamlet in the particularly disadvantaged area of ​​Muong Dong commune, where 100% of the population are ethnic minorities. Before us stretched the lush green of cornfields and sugarcane plantations at the foot of the mountains. Several new crops, such as peach trees, ramie, and banana trees, being tested in Kim Bac's fields, were beginning to thrive. Despite many difficulties and obstacles, a new life with bright hopes is unfolding in this remote highland area.

Striving to rise

Kim Bac hamlet has 145 households with 555 inhabitants, of which the Dao ethnic group accounts for 54%; the Muong ethnic group 31%; and the Tay ethnic group 14%... The people's lives mainly depend on agriculture, with the main crops being corn and sugarcane. In recent years, thanks to the propaganda and mobilization of the Party Committee and the government of Muong Dong commune and Kim Bac hamlet, the people have proactively developed the economy and made significant changes in crops and livestock.

In the hamlet, the model of renovating unproductive gardens is developing strongly, with about 50 households growing peach trees.

In the field of crop cultivation, the villagers actively invest in intensive farming and increase crop yields, proactively introducing high-value, high-yield varieties into production; in addition to stabilizing the area planted with corn, they have expanded to include other cash crops. The total annual cultivated area reaches 220 hectares; the average per capita food production reaches 510 kg. In recent years, the village has strongly developed the model of renovating neglected gardens, with about 50 households growing peach trees; 15 households growing ramie; and some households growing bananas...

Livestock farming continues to play an important role. The model of raising buffaloes, cattle, pigs, and poultry has developed, with a total herd of over 5,400 animals, significantly contributing to improving the income of the villagers. Forest management and protection are given attention, with a total forest land area of ​​over 50 hectares. For many years, the village has had no forest fires or illegal logging.

Comrade Dang Tuan Anh, Head of Kim Bac hamlet, said: Besides the efforts of the people, as a particularly disadvantaged hamlet, Kim Bac always receives attention and care from the Party committee and government at all levels. Currently, 100% of the people in the hamlet have been issued health insurance cards. In the period 2022-2025, the particularly disadvantaged hamlet of Kim Bac has had one student achieve the title of excellent student at the provincial level and three students admitted to universities; four children are studying at other vocational schools. Despite the long and arduous daily commute to school, 100% of children of school age attend school, and there is no dropout rate among students in the hamlet. The percentage of households using the national power grid is 100%, and the percentage of households with access to clean water is 98%; 87% of households have achieved the title of "Culturally Advanced Family". Infrastructure has been invested in and built, the face of the rural area is gradually changing, and the spiritual life of the people is increasingly improving.

The challenges remain numerous.

Compared to 5 or 10 years ago, the lives of the people in Kim Bac have improved significantly. Temporary and dilapidated houses have been replaced with sturdy brick houses; dirt roads have been replaced with concrete roads, and people's lives are gradually changing. However, Kim Bac remains an economically underdeveloped area within Muong Dong commune and the former Hoa Binh region, with an average per capita income of only 34.6 million VND; the percentage of poor and near-poor households still accounts for 14%. The biggest challenge for Kim Bac is finding a suitable and effective economic development strategy.

The head of Kim Bac hamlet expressed his concern: Kim Bac has a cool, fresh climate, and although the land at the foot of the mountains is not concentrated, it is flat, fertile, and very favorable for growing fruit trees and medicinal plants. However, for a long time, the development of new crops has been spontaneous, with businesses placing orders and guaranteeing the output; when businesses stop buying the products, the people are left in a predicament. The people of Kim Bac have experienced the "bitter" taste of avocado crops when avocado trees were planted en masse on an area of ​​about 10 hectares, but then there was no market for them, so they were gradually cut down. Next, hectares of artichoke and sachi plants were enthusiastically planted by the people, but they were also sadly destroyed because there was no market. So after many years of struggling, the people are now returning to corn and sugarcane and are cautious about experimenting with new crops. Livestock farming is also still on a small scale and has not yet brought high economic efficiency.

The family of Mr. Trieu Van Long, classified as a poor household, recently received 40 million VND in support to renovate their dilapidated house.

Furthermore, in Kim Bac hamlet, there are still a number of households facing particularly difficult circumstances, making poverty alleviation in the next few years highly unlikely. Recently, five families in the hamlet received support to replace their temporary or dilapidated houses, but 10 households still live in temporary housing. These are households without land, living in temporary houses along roadsides, streams, or on agricultural land, or lacking the financial means to build proper houses. In reality, alongside the efforts and striving of the local people, Kim Bac urgently needs timely leadership and guidance to address current difficulties, especially in providing direction and support for people to develop suitable and effective economic strategies; helping them escape poverty and gradually achieve legitimate wealth in their homeland.

Willow

Source: https://baophutho.vn/doi-thay-o-kim-bac-238473.htm