Leveraging poverty reduction in the Gold Mine area.

The road to Mo Vang - a particularly disadvantaged commune in Lao Cai province - remains bumpy and winding even in the final days of the year, but the area is showing signs of improvement as many families have boldly engaged in livestock farming, developing their economy effectively, increasing their income, and improving their living standards.

In Khe Trau, village head Nong Van Binh took us on a tour of his family's livestock farm and said: "Livestock farming requires careful attention from the selection of breeding stock and feed storage to disease prevention and protection against the cold... because if you're not careful, just one mistake can lead to total loss."

That's the accumulated experience of someone who has been involved in livestock farming for many years. Watching Mr. Binh diligently care for the female buffalo preparing to give birth to a new litter, I understand why many households in Mo Vang consider livestock farming a long-term support system. Although livestock farming doesn't bring in money overnight, if done correctly and consistently, it can help push back poverty.

The cattle herd provides a stable livelihood, gradually helping Nong Van Binh's family rise out of poverty sustainably.

Not far away, in Khe Dam village, the story of Mr. Mua A Cang's family was once a source of concern for the entire village. Previously, his family was classified as a poor household. They relied solely on their fields for sustenance; if the rain was good, they had enough to eat, but if the harvest failed, they struggled. Mr. Cang recounted that there were times when he only hoped his pigs wouldn't get sick and his corn crop wouldn't fail, so they could get through the lean season. Thanks to government support for production development, his family received a loan of 30 million dong. The amount wasn't large, but for him, it was a timely "lever."

Mr. Cang decided to invest in barns and raise buffaloes and cows. Initially, he was worried because he had little capital and many risks. But with guidance from commune officials and shared experiences from villagers, he gradually gained more confidence. Looking back now, he just smiles gently and says, "I was very scared at first, but if I didn't do it, I would remain poor forever."

In Mo Vang, stories like Mr. Cang's are no longer rare. The commune has over 90% ethnic minority population, a large area, complex terrain, and difficult transportation. Previously, the people's livelihoods mainly relied on subsistence agriculture , but in recent years, livestock farming has gradually become a popular choice for many households.

According to Mr. Do Cao Quyen, Chairman of the People's Committee of Mo Vang commune, the commune currently has over 600 buffaloes and cows. This number not only reflects the scale of the livestock herd but also shows a shift in the people's business mindset. The local government has identified livestock farming as an important source of income, contributing to diversifying livelihoods, increasing income, and gradually achieving the target of average per capita income as set by the commune Party Committee resolution – striving to reach 56 million VND/person/year by 2026.

To achieve that goal, from the beginning of the year, the commune developed a specific plan, making maximum use of resources from the National Target Program for socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. In 2025 alone, Mo Vang completed two major projects with a total investment of over 4 billion VND, donating 90 pairs of buffaloes and cows to poor households. These buffaloes and cows are not only assets, but also represent the hope entrusted to each family.

In 2025, the number of poor households in Mo Vang commune decreased from 297 to only 132. Many families no longer worry about rice shortages, children attend school more regularly, and meals now include meat... Significantly, the changes in Mo Vang are not only due to large-scale projects, but also to how the people themselves reflect on their lives. Seeing their neighbors profit from raising buffaloes, and witnessing firsthand how households escaped poverty through livestock farming, many families began to boldly follow suit. Raising commercial pigs, goats, and specialty poultry gradually emerged, creating a more diverse livelihood landscape.

Officials from Mo Vang commune directly visited the grassroots level to assess the situation of the local people's cattle farming models.

From 2021 to the present, Mo Vang commune has implemented 35 production models in accordance with Resolution 69 of the Provincial People's Council, suitable to the local conditions. People are no longer following trends blindly, but choosing more manageable and sustainable approaches. Currently, although the commune still faces many difficulties, including inadequate transportation infrastructure, the sturdy livestock facilities and the annual increase in the number of buffaloes and cattle demonstrate that livestock farming has truly become a "lever" helping the people of Mo Vang escape the vicious cycle of poverty.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/don-bay-giam-ngheo-o-mo-vang-post893343.html