Unleashing the potential of Minh Son

Over the past period, poverty reduction has always been identified by the Party Committee and the government of Minh Son commune as a key and continuous task in the process of socio-economic development. Instead of focusing on short-term support measures, the locality has gradually shifted strongly towards a sustainable poverty reduction mindset, taking livelihood development, income improvement, and fostering self-reliance among the people as the foundation.

Converting low-yield agricultural land to commercial fruit tree cultivation contributes to sustainable poverty reduction in Minh Son commune.

Minh Son commune has a large area of ​​hills and mountains, making farming conditions unfavorable for rice cultivation but suitable for livestock farming and fruit tree cultivation. Based on this reality, the commune has selected and replicated appropriate economic models, considering them the "key" to sustainable poverty reduction.

One of the typical livelihood models that significantly contributes to poverty reduction in Minh Son is pig farming and fruit tree cultivation. This model is well-suited to the local natural conditions. Mr. Truong The Minh, from Thanh Son village, Minh Son commune, is one of the exemplary households combining pig farming and fruit tree cultivation. Starting with just a few breeding pigs, Mr. Minh's family has now developed a commercial pig herd with over 60 pigs. In addition, he has planted over 200 pomelo trees and dug a pond for fish farming. The income from this combined farming model reaches 200 million VND per year, contributing to improving the family's material living standards and creating a positive ripple effect in the local economic development and poverty reduction movement.

According to Mr. Le Van Thuong, head of Thanh Son village, the village has 174 households, of which 50 families have herds of 50 or more pigs, and 10 families combine fruit tree cultivation and livestock farming. Thanks to these economic models, the villagers' economic lives are becoming increasingly prosperous, with only 4 poor households remaining, consisting of families unable to work or suffering from illness.

Besides livestock farming, Minh Son commune focuses on diversifying livelihoods through the development of commercial fruit tree cultivation models, with pineapple cultivation proving particularly effective. Currently, the entire Minh Son commune has over 370 hectares of land converted from low-yield crops to high-income pineapple cultivation.

Along with implementing economic development models, Minh Son commune also reviewed and classified poor and near-poor households according to the multidimensional poverty standard; and developed poverty reduction solutions tailored to the specific realities of each village and target group. Simultaneously, propaganda efforts were intensified to change perceptions and eliminate the mentality of dependence and reliance; while encouraging people to boldly transform crop and livestock structures and apply scientific and technological advancements to production. Through agricultural and forestry extension training, new business methods were transferred to poor households and individuals. As a result, the percentage of trained laborers in the entire commune reached 77.77%.

Preferential credit policies, vocational training, job creation, and scientific and technical support have been implemented synchronously and effectively. Through loan groups, many poor and near-poor households have accessed capital to invest in production development, gradually stabilizing their lives. In particular, the integration of poverty reduction programs with rural development and socio-economic development plans has created unity in direction and management, contributing to improving the effectiveness and sustainability of poverty reduction efforts.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Binh, Head of the Economic Department of Minh Son Commune People's Committee, said: “Identifying sustainable poverty reduction must begin with creating stable livelihoods that are suitable to the natural conditions and production practices of the people. Therefore, the department has advised the Commune People's Committee to focus on supporting and encouraging people to develop effective economic models, such as commercial pineapple cultivation and animal husbandry suitable to the local natural conditions. These are all models with high economic value and relatively stable output, contributing to increased income and helping many households gradually rise out of poverty sustainably. In addition, the commune also integrates poverty reduction programs with the socio-economic development plan for the period 2026-2030...”.

Through the development of effective economic models, Minh Son commune is gradually creating a solid foundation for sustainable poverty reduction. People not only increase their income but also change their production mindset, proactively applying science and technology, linking product consumption, and gradually becoming wealthy on their own land.

Text and photos: Minh Khanh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khoi-day-noi-luc-o-minh-son-287072.htm