Lai Chau: Efforts to raise awareness and skills for Mang people to escape poverty

In the past, the Mang ethnic group in Lai Chau province in general and the Mang people in Nam Ban commune, Nam Nhun district, often had a nomadic lifestyle. When the land where they lived became infertile and no longer favorable for cultivation, they moved to other areas to reclaim fields, so they were also called "Xa la vang".

In recent years, the socio -economic infrastructure of ethnic minorities in general, and the Mang ethnic group in Nam Ban commune, Nam Nhun district, Lai Chau province in particular, has been developed by capital sources from programs, policies, and investment projects to develop essential infrastructure such as: National Target Program on New Rural Construction, Resolution 30a of the Government, Program 135... However, up to now, the life of the Mang people compared to other ethnic groups in the same residential area still faces many difficulties, the rate of poor and near-poor households is still high, poverty escape is not sustainable, and the risk of falling back into poverty is high.

Nam O village, Nam Ban commune, Nam Nhun district, Lai Chau

From the above practices, implementing the National Target Program on poverty reduction, the local government of Nam Ban commune has determined to focus on propaganda work on poverty reduction information, thereby raising awareness and skills for Mang people to strive for socio-economic development, which is the most important goal of the local government.

Mr. Chao Anh Tuyen, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Ban Commune, Nam Nhun District, Lai Chau Province said: "In the process of hunger eradication and poverty reduction in the commune, the production land area of ​​the Mang ethnic group is very small, and the farming customs of the people have not yet applied science and technology to improve productivity and quality. We have also assigned tasks to each member of the poverty reduction committee to go to each village and household to advise and help people improve their knowledge and awareness, thereby updating and learning skills and techniques to develop farming, especially techniques of planting and caring for cinnamon trees, raising livestock to develop and escape poverty."

Livestock farming model of Mang ethnic family

Currently, the People's Committee of Nam Ban commune has identified the goals, tasks and solutions for socio-economic development of the Mang ethnic minority area in the 2021-2025 period, aiming to soon bring the Mang ethnic group out of poverty and backwardness, gradually integrating with the general development of the province.

Cinnamon is a plant that prefers moist hilly soil and cool climate, so cinnamon is suitable when planted on the forest hills of Nam Ban commune. This tree is easy to grow, difficult to be cut down by wind and storms, and has high economic value because all parts from the trunk, leaves, and branches can be sold at a fairly stable price. Therefore, the work of mobilizing and propagating people to participate in growing and developing the economy from these crops has always been focused and concerned by the Nam Ban commune government.

Propaganda and training to improve production skills and experience for people

With an area of ​​more than 2 hectares of bare hills, the family of Mr. Tao A Hoa, Mang ethnic group, Nam O village, Nam Ban commune, although planting many types of fruit trees and perennial industrial trees, all failed. In 2022, the State supported more than 13,000 cinnamon seedlings and fertilizers. After 1 year, his family's cinnamon trees are now growing, some of which are now over 1 meter tall. However, due to the barren, steep, and high terrain of the cinnamon hills, there are still large and small trees growing unevenly. But his family still hopes that after 5 to 7 years, the cinnamon trees will bring income to the family.

Up to now, some families have initially converted crops and livestock and achieved positive results, their economy has overcome many difficulties compared to before. A typical example is the family of Mrs. Chin Me Long, in Nam O village, Nam Ban commune.

In the past, the family's main source of income mainly depended on growing corn and cassava on the fields, raising buffaloes and cows on a small scale just for traction, facing many difficulties in economic development. Thanks to participating in training courses organized by the commune and district, in recent years, Mrs. Long's family has boldly invested in livestock farming. Initially, the family bought buffaloes and cows to breed in the direction of selling for grazing and growing elephant grass. Currently, her family sells 3 to 5 buffaloes and cows each year, the total annual income from livestock farming, after deducting expenses, the family's income is estimated at 35 to 45 million VND/year.

Ms. Chin Me Long said: "Previously, my family was supported with a barn of more than 30 square meters. The breeds that the family bought and raised gradually developed. The family really hopes that the State will support more breeds and provide technical guidance on care, so they have developed better, creating a source of income for the family."

In recent times, Lai Chau province has encouraged the development of large livestock farming in the direction of goods, contributing to creating jobs and increasing income for people. Therefore, large livestock farming in Nam Ban commune has shifted towards commodity production. If in the past, people raised livestock mainly for pulling, now most of them are raised for meat and are the main source of income for many households.

On average, after 2 years of commercial farming, farmers can sell a cow for over 20 million VND. If each household raises an average of 5 cows, after 2 years, they can earn 100 million VND, contributing to improving their lives. Therefore, the number of buffaloes and cows has also increased steadily.

Propagating poverty reduction information for Mang ethnic women in Nam Ban commune

Mr. Nguyen Van Dai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Ban Commune, Nam Nhun District, Lai Chau Province added: "In the recent past, to create livelihoods for the Mang ethnic people, after the Provincial People's Committee implemented Resolution 07, the commune also deployed it to all the people. Currently, the commune has 7 households that have organized the construction of concentrated livestock barns."

To reduce poverty in the Mang ethnic minority area here, along with the effective implementation of the State's support policies, it is necessary to promote the role and voice of prestigious people, Party cell secretaries, village chiefs and especially cadres, civil servants and public employees who are Mang ethnic people. At the same time, train cadres who are Mang ethnic people to work in the locality. In particular, it is necessary to further promote propaganda to eliminate bad customs and social evils to gradually improve the lives of people here.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/lai-chau-no-luc-nang-cao-nhan-thuc-ky-nang-cho-nguoi-mang-thoat-ngheo-20250430150212539.htm