Veterans engaging in economic activities

After many years of dedication to the new economic zone, many veterans in Tan Ha commune, Lam Ha district, still maintain the spirit of overcoming difficulties of the soldiers of the past on their journey to develop their family economies, linking and supporting each other in business and gradually forming effective production models at the grassroots level.

Veterans Association members in Tan Ha commune, Lam Ha district, are developing the economy in the new land.

From the soldiers' orchards

Driven by the need for mutual support in production, the Veterans' Economic Clubs in Tan Ha commune, Lam Ha district, have gradually become places for members to exchange experiences, share farming techniques, and connect with product markets. Established in 2024, the Hoai Duc cluster Veterans' Economic Club currently has 20 members, mainly those who have been involved in agricultural production in the locality for many years. Through meetings and activities, many members have had the opportunity to learn new models and support each other in developing their family economies. Among the exemplary members is Mr. Dinh Van Phuong (born in 1958), a war invalid from Ninh Binh province. He enlisted in 1977, was discharged in 1983, and then moved with his family to Tan Ha commune, Lam Ha district, to start a new life under the new economic development program in 1993.

In the early days, Mr. Phuong's family was involved in the mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming model on a 1-hectare plot. However, agricultural production is always changing according to market conditions and climate. After many years of dedication, in 2013, he boldly switched to intercropping coffee with durian. From that decision, the garden gradually yielded more stable results. Currently, his family harvests about 5 tons of durian and 3 tons of coffee annually, with an average total income of about 500 million VND per year. "Having been in farming for many years, I've realized that you have to be diligent and learn from each other. Sometimes I faced difficulties, but with the advice of others, I gradually overcame them. Now, everyone shares their experience to make things more stable," Mr. Phuong shared.

Also choosing to adapt to changing production conditions, former soldier Nguyen Van Cuong (born in 1947), originally from Hung Yen province, is another example demonstrating the resilience of former soldiers returning to civilian life. He enlisted in 1965, was discharged in 1971, and then moved to Tan Ha commune, Lam Ha district, to build a new economy from 1993. On his 1.1-hectare plot, his family was involved in mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming for many years before switching to intercropping pepper with macadamia nuts. To date, this model provides a fairly stable income with about 1 ton of pepper and 1-2 quintals of macadamia nuts per harvest, with an average total income of about 500 million VND per year.

According to Mr. Cuong, the transition process doesn't happen all at once but must be done step by step to suit the family's economic conditions. "Even though I'm older, I still have to learn new ways. If I see a suitable model, I boldly switch. In the club, members often exchange experiences on plant care and product distribution, so it's easier," Mr. Cuong said.

Support from camaraderie

According to Mr. Nguyen Le Hoan, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Tan Ha commune, Lam Ha district: "Through many years of working on the land, many veterans in the locality have accumulated production experience, proactively choosing crops suitable to the climate, soil conditions, and investment capacity of each family. From individual models, the formation of clubs also creates more opportunities for members to connect and support each other in production."

Following the merger, the Veterans Association of Tan Ha commune, Lam Ha district, currently has 1,175 members operating in 44 branches. The Association's fund currently averages 3.8 million VND per member to support production loans. By the end of 2025, the association will have 5 poor households and 5 near-poor households, accounting for 0.4%; there will be no households falling back into poverty. “The Association hopes that the Veterans' Economic Clubs will continue to play a role in connecting members, forming more effective production models, and creating motivation for members to boldly innovate their methods. Based on models that have proven effective, the association will continue to support and replicate them so that more members have the opportunity to develop their economy, stabilize their lives, and sustainably increase their income,” Mr. Hoan shared.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/nhung-cuu-chien-binh-lam-kinh-te-441279.html