Driving forces behind the development of ethnic minority areas in the southeastern part of the province.

The current appearance of Dong Giang commune.

Funding from national target programs is creating a significant transformation in many ethnic minority areas. Dong Giang commune is one of the localities that has benefited most clearly, especially in infrastructure projects directly serving the people. As an area inhabited by the K'ho and Raglai ethnic groups, Dong Giang has received significant investment from higher authorities in upgrading many important infrastructure projects such as the Saluon water reservoir, the Suoi Thi spillway, and the irrigation canal system. A stable water supply has encouraged people to confidently switch crops and apply advanced techniques to production. Demonstration models have also been implemented so that people can see and hear firsthand, thus confidently following suit and changing their mindset and farming methods. Livestock farming has also seen a transformation with models for breeding cattle and goats, especially the restocking of the indigenous black pig breed, which both preserves the breed and provides stable income, helping the people gradually escape poverty.

According to Mr. Pham Duy Hien, Secretary of the Party Committee of Dong Giang commune, the locality is simultaneously implementing three national target programs with a total budget of over 22.8 billion VND; of which the former Dong Giang commune received over 11.1 billion VND and the former Dong Tien commune received over 11.6 billion VND. The capital is mainly focused on infrastructure development, promoting socio -economic development, and improving people's lives. The New Rural Development Program has been implemented effectively, becoming a widespread movement. To date, the former Dong Tien commune has achieved the new rural commune standard, while the former Dong Giang commune has completed 13 out of 19 criteria and aims to achieve the standard by 2030.

Infrastructure in Dong Giang has changed significantly in recent years. A series of essential infrastructure projects have been invested in, completed, and put into use, yielding positive results. Many roads leading to the agricultural production areas of Dong Giang, Dan Sach, and Suoi Da Mai, with a total length of 6.7 km, have been concreted. In particular, the project to upgrade roads to the Song Do - Ka Tot agricultural production area (phase 2), and the Song Do - Dong Tien erosion control embankment project, funded with billions of dong, have shown clear effectiveness. Along with these, inter-village and inter-commune roads, and newly constructed facilities such as the commune People's Committee office, commune police station, Dong Tien multi-specialty clinic, cultural and sports facilities, schools, and landscaped gardens have created a new look for this mountainous region.

Mr. K' Van Tin, from Hamlet 1 - Dong Tien, recounted: "Previously, traveling during the rainy season was very difficult, with mud clinging to the wheels. Now that the road has been paved with concrete, it's easier for children to get to school, and traders come directly to the fields to buy agricultural products. Seeing the improved roads and water supply, the people are very enthusiastic about farming."

In Ham Thanh commune, formed by the merger of My Thanh, Ham Can, and Ham Thanh communes, there are 268 poor households, of which ethnic minority households account for 87%. Funding from the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas has been implemented promptly, creating positive changes from infrastructure to livelihoods for the people.

According to the Ham Thanh Commune People's Committee, Project 1 on supporting land for housing, production land, and clean water has yielded concrete results: 18 poor households received new houses with a total cost of 572 million VND; 78 households received support for vocational retraining with 780 million VND. Production infrastructure has been improved, with access roads to the 41-hectare production area, Ta Boi stream, Old Village, and the 30-hectare area of Rua Mountain being reinforced. Two new roads to the Truong Dan area and the 20-hectare old ammunition depot area are under construction on schedule. The Value Chain Production Support Program for the period 2022-2024 has provided 125 breeding buffaloes and cows to 125 households, helping the people have additional long-term livelihoods...

Transformations in infrastructure and livelihoods have become crucial drivers in helping ethnic minority communities in the southeastern part of Lam Dong province achieve the goal of new rural communes, leading to more sustainable and comprehensive development.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/ong-luc-thuc-day-vung-dong-bao-dtts-phia-ong-nam-tinh-409032.html