Economic models change difficult lands Cao Minh

On the hillsides, in each tangerine orchard, the people of Cao Minh commune, Thai Nguyen province are turning difficulties into opportunities. With the support of the State, they have not only escaped poverty but also built typical economic models, opening up new vitality for the poor land.

Thanks to the application of scientific and technical advances and the introduction of new varieties into mass production, the rice yield of Cao Minh commune reached nearly 47 quintals/ha.

Located in a difficult mountainous area, Cao Minh commune was established on the basis of merging three communes: Cao Tan, Co Linh and Cong Bang. The commune currently has 33 villages, more than 2,600 households with nearly 12,500 people, including 5 main ethnic groups: Tay, Nung, Dao, Mong and Kinh.

The complex terrain, steep hills, deep ravines, terraced fields, and limited production land make life difficult for the people here. The whole commune has more than 1,100 hectares of agricultural land, of which 928 hectares are for rice cultivation, but only 562 hectares can be cultivated twice a year. Nearly 1,800 households are still poor and near-poor, a number that clearly reflects the challenges of a mountainous locality with many difficulties.

With the drastic participation of the Party Committee, the government and the synchronous investment resources of the State, the appearance of Cao Minh is changing day by day. In the past 5 years, the locality has invested more than 160 billion VND in infrastructure construction, with 63 projects implemented, creating an important foundation for socio- economic development.

Along with that, the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction has been implemented in the commune with a total capital of more than 6.6 billion VND, implementing 21 projects, supporting 374 participating households. The National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas has also invested more than 10.7 billion VND for 17 projects, helping 452 households have access to capital, new plant varieties, livestock and production techniques.

The area of ​​land used for growing rice, corn and other ineffective crops is converted to grow crops of high economic value.

Mr. Ta Van Sin, Khen Len village shared: Without the support of the State, his family would have to live in a house that was leaky and windy. With a new house, his family can feel secure in developing production. From 2020 to now, along with Mr. Sin, the whole commune has 560 households that have received support from the State to build houses, of which Cao Tan area has 150 houses; Co Linh 200 houses; Cong Bang 210 houses have been rebuilt. Solid houses are not only a place to shelter from the rain and sun, but also a support to help people feel more confident on their journey out of poverty.

From policy to sustainable livelihoods

Not only stopping at social security support, production development policies are widely implemented. Local authorities actively coordinate with State agencies to strengthen the organization of training courses to transfer science and technology in cultivation and animal husbandry to the people; build typical economic models, and when effective, popularize and replicate them on a large scale.

Most of the land areas for single-crop rice cultivation are then used to grow winter corn and vegetables after harvest. The areas for low-yield rice, corn and other crops are converted to grow crops of high economic value.

For example, in the villages of Na Chao, Phieng Luong, Coc Nghe, Na Lai... most of the fields are terraced. In recent years, Cao Minh people have flexibly applied and focused on investing in agricultural and forestry production, shifting towards commodity production and improving product quality.

Poor and near-poor households receive attention and support from the State in terms of capital, plant and animal breeds, science and technology, and their lives are increasingly stable.

Mr. Duong Van Phu in Hung Thinh village currently owns 3 hectares of orange and tangerine trees. Thanks to proper care following technical procedures, the garden has brought a fairly stable income to his family, harvesting 21 tons of fruit each season, earning about 420 million VND/crop. Ms. Duong Thach in the same village also has 2 hectares of tangerines, earning more than 100 million VND/crop. In Coc Nghe village, Mr. Hoang Van Dai boldly converted 2 hectares of mixed gardens to grow oranges, earning more than 320 million VND/year, with an output of 16 tons/crop. Thanks to these effective models, the average income of people in Cao Minh commune increased from 18.5 million VND/person/year (in 2020) to 21.3 million VND/person/year (in 2024).

Along with production support, the social infrastructure system has been significantly improved: 100% of villages have national grid electricity, concrete roads to villages have been basically completed; three traditional markets and more than 40 organizations and individuals participate in service activities, buying and selling agricultural and forestry products, contributing to the formation of a vibrant rural trade network.

Through the management and direction of the locality, farmers in Cao Minh commune have gradually abandoned fragmented production methods and moved towards concentrated commodity production. In addition, based on production practices, crops suitable to the soil conditions of each commune's fields have been selected and developed en masse. For example, Cao Tan area has seedless persimmons, chestnuts, ginger, turmeric, and vegetables. Co Linh area has cardamom and turmeric. Cong Bang area has peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes, tangerines, and taro. Families getting rich on their homeland are now appearing more and more.

It can be seen that the effectiveness of poverty reduction support programs in Cao Minh commune is not only reflected in investment figures, but also in the change in people's awareness and actions. Crops and livestock now not only bring income, but also open up a sustainable development direction for the people here. From a poor land, Cao Minh commune today is affirming its new vitality.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/nhung-mo-hinh-kinh-te-lam-thay-doi-vung-dat-kho-cao-minh-10395198.html