Shining examples of sustainable poverty alleviation in the highlands.

QTO - Implementing the policy of poverty reduction in ethnic minority areas, many households in Khe Sanh commune have effectively utilized resources from national target programs to improve their lives. A prime example is Ms. Ho Thi Nuoi in Hamlet 6, who, by actively applying techniques of confined cattle farming and intensive cultivation of industrial crops, has eliminated outdated practices and transformed difficulties into advantages to stabilize her life.

A pillar of support to overcome difficulties

Khe Sanh commune has relatively favorable natural conditions, but due to outdated farming practices, the lives of some ethnic minority people here still face many difficulties. The family of Ms. Ho Thi Nuoi is a typical example of this situation many years ago.

Recalling those difficult times, Ms. Nuoi shared: “Before, my family was very poor. We toiled in the fields year-round, but we still didn't have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. The old production methods and low-yielding crops meant that hunger and poverty clung to us, and raising our children was very challenging.”

Despite hard work, traditional production models yield low economic returns due to a lack of scientific and technical knowledge. This is a common concern for local authorities and farmers' associations at all levels in their efforts to alleviate poverty.

The close technical support and guidance from the Farmers' Association has been a cornerstone for Ms. Nuoi to confidently expand her production - Photo: KS

Nuoi's family life changed when national target programs on sustainable poverty reduction and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas were strongly implemented. A few years ago, through the assessment of the village and commune, her family received support in the form of 4 breeding cows as startup capital.

Instead of letting the cattle roam freely as before, she built a well-organized system of barns for confined breeding, utilizing the abundant local grass resources and growing additional grass for feed reserves. Thanks to the close technical support from agricultural officials and the Farmers' Association of the commune, her family's herd of cattle is healthy and free from disease. To date, the herd has reproduced and grown to nearly 10 cows.

Diversify production models