"The Great Wind" still blows - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

During the years 1961-1965, Dai Phong Cooperative became a model in the emulation movement to build socialism in the North. That success was the combination of many factors, including the particularly important mark of General Nguyen Chi Thanh. Today, in the process of development of the homeland and the country, Dai Phong people always preserve and promote the tradition of enthusiastic labor production, so that the spirit of "Dai Phong Wind" still blows in the revolutionary homeland.

Dai Phong Cooperative in Dai Phong village, Phong Thuy commune (Le Thuy, Quang Binh ). The cooperative headquarters is built on 2 floors facing a small green canal surrounded by cool green trees.

The Dai Phong Cooperative's traditional room is located on the second floor of the headquarters. In the center is a bronze statue of General Nguyen Chi Thanh, the remaining space of the room is arranged with many wooden cabinets storing documents, memorabilia, and images of General Nguyen Chi Thanh and the spirit of emulation in labor and production of the cooperative members more than 6 decades ago.

General Nguyen Chi Thanh inspects a new corn variety at Dai Phong Cooperative (Le Thuy, Quang Binh). Photo courtesy

Among the many artifacts displayed and introduced here, we are particularly impressed with the title "The leading flag in agriculture " awarded by the Government Council to Dai Phong Cooperative in May 1962. For more than 60 years, the award flag has been solemnly displayed by the Cooperative's Board of Directors, although its color has faded over the years.

Going back in time, in early 1961, General Nguyen Chi Thanh, Politburo member and Head of the Central Rural Work Committee, went directly to Dai Phong village, a low-lying area, often flooded, saline... to launch a production emulation movement in agricultural cooperatives. General Nguyen Chi Thanh not only paid attention to traditional agricultural production but also closely inspected the entire farming process and labor organization in the locality.

With a strategic vision and innovative thinking, the General has oriented many specific and practical solutions such as actively implementing irrigation, zoning plots and zones; improving rice varieties and gradually introducing high-yield varieties to replace low-yield varieties for long-term cultivation; developing occupations, focusing on livestock and making livestock the main occupation to increase food and fertilizer for fields; promoting emulation movements among youth, women, farmers... Along with that, General Nguyen Chi Thanh also mobilized members to reclaim hundreds of hectares of land to expand the planting area, build irrigation works, develop secondary occupations, contributing to creating jobs and increasing income for members...

Members of Dai Phong Cooperative harvest rice. Photo: LINH NGOC

With outstanding achievements in the agricultural cooperation movement, Dai Phong Cooperative became a model, a leading flag in agriculture, creating a great resonance attracting many domestic and international delegations to visit and study. In February 1961, the Central Rural Work Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture officially launched a widespread emulation movement with the slogan: "Learn, catch up with and surpass Dai Phong Cooperative". Within just two months, by April 24, 1961, 1,700 cooperatives had signed emulation agreements with Dai Phong. That number continued to skyrocket to 3,191 cooperatives in less than a month (May 17, 1961). Together with "Bac Ly Drum", "Duyen Hai Waves", "Ba Nhat Flag", "Dai Phong Wind" became a strong emulation movement spreading throughout all industries and fields throughout the North.

For Mr. Nguyen Cao Hoe in Dai Phong village and many Le Thuy people, General Nguyen Chi Thanh is not only a commander but also a friend who always accompanies the people in every field. The image of the general wearing a conical hat and raincoat, wading through the rice fields, bailing water in the rain, singing folk songs... has become a sacred memory, living forever in the hearts of Le Thuy people.

More than 60 years since being honored with the title “Leading Flag in Agriculture”, amidst the many changes of the times, Dai Phong Cooperative has remained steadfast as a living symbol of solidarity and aspiration to rise up. While many other cooperatives have had to dissolve due to difficulties, this place still plays the role of a nucleus in organizing production, helping people escape poverty and get rich on their homeland. The cooperative currently owns the largest capital source in Le Thuy district, with 17 billion VND in fixed capital, including 3 billion VND in working capital.

Along with that, Dai Phong Cooperative continuously innovates its methods of supplying materials, consuming products, building infrastructure and applying modern technology in agricultural production. Not only promoting its strengths in rice cultivation, the Cooperative also supports and helps its members expand their agricultural production and service industries. Thanks to that, people's lives have changed significantly, with spacious houses, traffic and irrigation systems being invested in and built synchronously.

Mr. Nguyen Cao Thanh, Chairman of Dai Phong Cooperative, shared: “The kindness and guidance of General Nguyen Chi Thanh has always been a great motivation for the members and people of Dai Phong to firmly overcome all challenges. Although there are still many difficulties, the people always maintain the spirit of solidarity so that the “Dai Phong Wind” of the past will continue to breathe new life into the journey of building a modern and civilized countryside”.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/gio-dai-phong-van-thoi-5045863.html