New rural face in Hoa Binh province

As a mountainous province with many difficulties, where many ethnic minorities live. With the efforts of the entire political system at all levels, together with the joint efforts of the people, the National Target Program on New Rural Development in Hoa Binh province has achieved important achievements. It has truly become a "push" for the development of rural areas in the province.

The appearance of Hoa Binh province has improved a lot since focusing on building new rural areas. (Source: Hoa Binh Newspaper)

According to statistics, there are 6 main ethnic groups living together in the province, the most populous being the Muong ethnic group accounting for 63.3%; the Kinh ethnic group accounting for 27.73%; the Thai ethnic group accounting for 3.9%; the Dao ethnic group accounting for 1.7%; the Tay ethnic group accounting for 2.7%; the Mong ethnic group accounting for 0.52%; and other ethnic groups accounting for 1.18%.

It is known that in 2011, Hoa Binh province had only 2 communes meeting 10 criteria, 124 communes below 5 criteria; the average number of criteria at the time of assessment was 4.4 criteria/commune, many criteria were extremely difficult such as traffic, irrigation, schools, cultural facilities, healthcare, poor households... Agricultural production is still fragmented, the value of goods is not high, and production areas have not been formed.

The average income per capita in rural areas is low (only 8.3 million VND/person/year). The poverty rate is high (31.51%). In 2012, Hoa Binh province launched the emulation movement "Hoa Binh province joins hands to build new rural areas" which was actively responded and participated by all levels, sectors, localities, units and all people in the province.

Although the implementation of the National Target Program on New Rural Development started from a low starting point, with the consensus and overcoming difficulties of the entire political system, the face of many rural areas has changed. The material and spiritual life of people in rural areas has been constantly improved. Political security and social order and safety have been maintained. Cultural and sports activities have been maintained and developed. Basic economic and social infrastructure has been developed in a synchronous manner, ensuring rural-urban connectivity and regional connectivity, with motorways reaching the most remote villages....

Developing agricultural production in a modern direction, increasing added value, adapting to climate change, and at the same time strongly developing industry and services in rural areas, contributing to increasing people's income in a sustainable way. Poverty reduction and sustainable social security. The quality of education, health care and people's health care is improved. Developing production associated with restructuring the province's agricultural sector, forming large-scale concentrated production areas towards goods for domestic use and export. Commodity agricultural production is valued and has changed, contributing positively to increasing the income of rural residents, consolidating and enhancing people's trust in the leadership of the Party and the management of the State.

As of the fourth quarter of 2023, Hoa Binh province has 73/129 communes meeting new rural standards, 28 advanced new rural communes, 01 commune meeting model new rural standards, 60 model residential areas, 174 model gardens. The number of communes meeting 15-18 criteria is 2 communes; the number of communes meeting 10-14 criteria is 54 communes. Hoa Binh city completed the task of building new rural areas in 2018, Luong Son district met new rural standards in 2019, Lac Thuy district met new rural standards in 2020. There is no commune meeting less than 10 criteria in the whole province. Localities (communes, districts) that have met standards/completed the task of building new rural areas continue to build advanced new rural communes, model new rural communes, and advanced new rural districts according to the set plan.

Khởi sắc bộ mặt nông thôn mới ở tỉnh Hòa Bình

The appearance of rural areas and the lives of Hoa Binh people have been significantly improved. (Source: Vietnamnet)

To maintain and promote the achievements of the New Rural Development Program, Hoa Binh province sets specific goals in 2024: Continue to implement and achieve the results of the National Target Program on New Rural Development for the period 2021-2025. Have about 6 more communes meeting new rural standards (In which Yen Thuy district and Cao Phong district strive for 100% of communes to meet new rural standards in 2024); Strive to have 2 communes meeting advanced new rural standards; Strive to have 1 commune meeting model new rural standards; Yen Thuy district, Cao Phong district and Hoa Binh city complete the criteria for new rural districts, complete the dossier to propose the Provincial People's Committee to submit to the Prime Minister for recognition of the district meeting new rural standards; Standardize about 16-20 more OCOP products with 3 stars or higher; Continue to complete essential works to meet the requirements of production development and life of rural residents: Transportation, irrigation, electricity, domestic water, schools, medical stations, etc. Improve the quality of life of rural residents, create a production model associated with stable employment, and increase income for people.

Mr. Hoang Van Tuan - Deputy Chief of Office of the National Target Program on New Rural Development in Hoa Binh province said: According to Decision 263/QD-TTg dated February 22, 2022 of the Prime Minister: "By 2025, strive to have at least 80% of communes nationwide meeting new rural standards, the Northern mountainous region reaching 60%". To complete the goal set by the Government, the efforts of the entire political system of Hoa Binh province in directing, as well as allocating resources, and efforts of local authorities at all levels are needed to successfully implement the New Rural Development Program.

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