The journey out of poverty through small-scale models in Yen Xuan.

Once a poor mountainous commune with a majority Muong ethnic minority population, Yen Xuan consistently ranked among the localities with the highest poverty rates for many years. Difficulties piled upon difficulties: fragmented land ownership, precarious livelihoods, and the lives of many households depending solely on a few acres of rice paddies and income from unskilled labor. However, in recent years, Yen Xuan has undergone a dramatic transformation. The commune has implemented policies to support production capital, guided people in applying scientific and technical methods, and helped hundreds of households escape poverty sustainably.

Providing support with practical funding.

One typical example of change in Yen Xuan is the family of Ms. Hoang Thi Nguyen in Hamlet 5, Yen Xuan Commune. She was once a woman living in constant poverty, with food and clothing always being a worry. Previously, her family's income depended solely on a few acres of rice paddies and a few chickens and ducks, with good harvests in some seasons and bad harvests in others. "There were months when my family ran out of rice and had to borrow from neighbors. It was heartbreaking to think about," Ms. Nguyen recalled.

The turning point came when the village and commune implemented a production support fund, creating conditions for poor households to access preferential loans. Ms. Nguyen's family was approved for a 50 million VND loan, a large sum that she "wouldn't have dared to dream of in her lifetime." With this capital, she boldly bought 4 breeding cows and began a systematic livestock farming journey. Thanks to the guidance of commune officials on care techniques, monitoring growth cycles, and disease prevention, her herd of cows thrived. From the initial 4 cows, after a few years, she had a herd of 20 cows. Each year, selling breeding and beef cows provided her family with a considerable income, enough to gradually repay the loan and reinvest in the barn. "Before, we only hoped to have enough to eat, but now my family is not only stable but we have also built a solid cow barn and renovated our house after years of dilapidation," Ms. Nguyen shared emotionally.

Yen Xuan commune focuses on supporting people in developing their economy and increasing their income. Photo: Huong Giang

The story of Mrs. Nguyen's family escaping poverty is not unique. In Yen Xuan, hundreds of households have benefited from policy-based capital, especially the Muong ethnic group, which accounts for more than 60% of the commune's population.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang, a resident of Yen Xuan, said that his family had once faced hardship, with unstable income relying solely on a few acres of rice paddies and some small livestock. All production plans were limited due to a lack of capital and technical guidance. However, thanks to access to preferential loans from the local government, they boldly invested in expanding their cultivated area combined with livestock farming. The initial steps seemed risky, but with the support of commune officials in providing technical guidance, selecting breeds, caring for, and preventing diseases in livestock, the family's production model gradually became more stable and effective.

Currently, Yen Xuan commune has many agricultural development models that yield high economic value. Photo: Huong Giang

Mr. Quang shared: “Without capital and specific guidance, my family wouldn't have dared to think about expanding our investment. Thanks to the support, we were able to do business on a larger scale, increase our income, and gradually escape poverty after many years of being in a difficult situation.” Mr. Quang's story is a vivid testament to the effectiveness of the policy of providing capital support combined with technical guidance in Yen Xuan.

Towards a sustainable future

To achieve the results it has today, Yen Xuan has implemented many poverty reduction solutions simultaneously. Not only focusing on disbursing funds, the commune has also prioritized guiding production models and leveraging the local natural advantages.

According to Mr. Tong Quang Thuy, an official from the Economic Department of Yen Xuan commune, the new rural development program in the commune has achieved significant results, especially in focusing on poverty reduction and supporting economic development to increase people's income. "We not only provide capital but also accompany the people throughout the production process. From selecting seeds and improving livestock facilities to linking with markets, people receive support every step of the way," Mr. Thuy stated.

The village roads and alleys of Yen Xuan are becoming increasingly spacious, clean, and beautiful. Photo: Huu Thien

Yen Xuan commune has a vast hilly terrain, favorable for raising native cattle, goats, and pigs, as well as developing fruit tree cultivation models. The commune has encouraged people to shift from fragmented to concentrated production, applying science and technology, and gradually forming models with real economic value. In this, the Women's Union plays a crucial role as a "bridge" between households and policy-based capital. Besides advising on loan applications, the union also organizes training sessions and shares production experiences. Thanks to this persistent support, many poor and single women have found suitable economic development paths and confidently escaped poverty sustainably.

Alongside livestock farming, Yen Xuan also promotes diversified crop cultivation models: from fruit trees such as pomelo, longan, and jackfruit to medicinal plants suitable for the hilly climate. Several high-yield model farms are being considered for replication in the near future.

The changes in Yen Xuan are not only reflected in the income of individual households, but also in the overall appearance of the commune. Solid houses have sprung up, replacing the old thatched roofs. Village roads and alleys have been paved with concrete. Infrastructure such as schools, cultural centers, and health stations have been upgraded, better meeting the needs of the people.

Thanks to the reduced poverty rate and improved living standards, the rural landscape of Yen Xuan is becoming increasingly more attractive. Photo: Huu Thien

Notably, the poverty rate has decreased significantly year after year. Many households that previously lacked food have now accumulated savings. Some residents have even boldly opened small businesses, grocery stores, agricultural supply shops, and agricultural product purchasing centers, creating additional jobs right in the locality. It is noteworthy that Yen Xuan's poverty reduction process is not merely superficial but aims for sustainability, by giving people "a fishing rod" instead of just providing "a fish." In this process, capital support is only the starting point; what is more important is the production mindset, the change in the way people think and work.

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Nguyen, in the past, any form of support seemed out of reach, leaving her family to rely solely on luck. But now, she has completely changed her mindset: Doing business isn't just about labor; it also requires a clear plan, knowing when to reinvest, and maintaining credibility when borrowing capital. Thanks to this understanding and effort, her family has not only stabilized their lives but also built a solid foundation for long-term development, reaching further steps on the path to sustainable economic growth.

In the coming period, Yen Xuan aims to continue expanding effective economic models, while promoting digital transformation in agriculture and building brands for the locality's key products. The commune is also working with businesses to form a sustainable consumption chain, helping people feel secure in their production. These efforts are not only aimed at maintaining poverty reduction results, but also at a higher goal: to make Yen Xuan a new rural commune with strong socio-economic development and an increasingly improved standard of living for its people.

The journey out of poverty in Yen Xuan demonstrates the power of unity when the government, organizations, and people share a common determination to change. From small capital and initially hesitant models, the people have learned how to turn them into opportunities to rise up. No longer relying on others as before, the people are now proactively learning techniques, boldly investing, calculating, and collaborating to produce more efficiently. These changes have not only created a new face for this mountainous rural area but also created a solid foundation for Yen Xuan to aim for a higher goal: becoming a sustainably developed new rural commune, where every citizen has the opportunity to get rich on their own land. And on the sun-drenched hills of Yen Xuan today, the journey out of poverty continues, opening up hope for a better future for future generations.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/hanh-trinh-thoat-ngheo-tu-nhung-mo-hinh-nho-o-yen-xuan-726788.html