Sustainable livelihood development from program 1719

The 1719 Program has created momentum to help many mountainous communes transform strongly.

With the investment attention of the state, the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas has created a driving force to help many mountainous communes transform strongly. People are given the opportunity to access science and technology and organize production in a more sustainable way.

Building livelihoods suitable to mountainous characteristics

The national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (Program 1719) implemented in recent years has opened up a suitable direction for mountainous localities to develop production. Many communes have proactively chosen sustainable livelihood models, taking advantage of natural advantages and farming conditions of ethnic minorities to create stable income, gradually improving the quality of life.

In Xuan Lanh commune, Program 1719 is considered an important "lever" to change people's production thinking. From small-scale, fragmented production, many households have boldly switched to models suitable to natural conditions such as raising breeding cows, intercropping, improving upland land, applying new techniques in farming...

Mr. Huynh Anh Tuan, Chairman of Xuan Lanh Commune People's Committee, said: "The commune's core task is to help people be more proactive in developing their livelihoods. We not only support seeds, capital or machinery, but also focus on technical guidance. Thereby helping people change their production mindset, know how to expand effective models and reduce dependence on nature."

People in Xuan Lanh commune increase their income from hand weaving. Photo: T.Huong

Similarly, in Phu Mo commune, from the capital of Program 1719, this commune has focused on systematically supporting people in changing their jobs. In 2023 and 2024, Phu Mo commune supported 215 poor households to buy agricultural machinery such as lawn mowers, water pumps, sprayers, etc. with a total cost of about 1.7 billion VND. The commune also implemented Sub-project 2 on supporting production development according to the value chain, with a capital of 2.23 billion VND to support 118 poor and near-poor households to raise breeding cows.

Thanks to that, many production models have brought about clear results, the average income of the people increased from 13.39 million VND/person/year to 26.05 million VND, double the figure at the beginning of the period. The commune has also supported 215 households in changing their occupations, contributing to helping people stabilize their livelihoods, reduce poverty sustainably and improve their capacity for self-reliance in production.

According to Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Party Secretary, Chairman of Phu Mo Commune People's Council, not only stopping at the achieved results, the commune is building a socio-economic development project for the period 2025 - 2030 with the orientation of prioritizing safe livestock development, expanding rice acreage, applying water-saving irrigation technology and promoting afforestation associated with environmental protection... These models are expected to create a foundation for sustainable livelihoods, helping people increase their income and be more proactive in the long-term economic development process.

Improve people's lives

In addition to building sustainable livelihoods, Program 1719 has also created important changes in improving the lives and living conditions of the people. Many disadvantaged households lacking development conditions have had access to support policies on housing, machinery, and means of production.

The case of Ms. Dinh Thi Vien's family, a Ba Na ethnic in Xuan Lanh commune, is a typical example. With no land for production, for many years, she and her husband struggled with hired work, with unstable income. Thanks to the support of 44 million VND and a preferential loan of 80 million VND from the Social Policy Bank under Program 1719, plus the help of her family, Ms. Vien was able to build a spacious and sturdy house of more than 70 square meters. Her family was also supported with a water tank, a saw, and a cutting machine to serve their daily life and production.

“Without land for production and economic difficulties all year round, I never dared to think about building a permanent house. Now, thanks to the government’s support, I have a house and the means of production. My husband and I have more confidence to move forward,” Ms. Vien said emotionally.

People in Ea Ba commune develop their livelihoods from growing crops. Photo: T.Huong

In Ea Ba commune, production support models from Program 1719 also brought about a clear impact. Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Council Nguyen Hoai Vu said that in the period of 2021 - 2025, the commune effectively implemented component projects of the program with a total budget of more than 14.3 billion VND. This includes a model of breeding cows with 44 households participating, with a budget of more than 1.8 billion VND; a model of converting 1,300 hectares of ineffective cassava land to sugarcane, increasing productivity.

Mr. Vu said: “The support models from Program 1719 help localities restructure agriculture towards commodity production, form raw material areas, and open up a more sustainable development direction. People proactively change their working methods and actively apply techniques to increase income per unit area.”

In phase 1 (2021 - 2025), Program 1719 has affirmed its clear effectiveness in improving the lives and creating sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minorities. From diversified production models to changes in development thinking, the program is making an important contribution to helping mountainous communes transform, gradually improving the quality of life and moving towards stable and sustainable development in the coming years.

Tuyet Huong - Minh Duyen

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202512/phat-trien-sinh-ke-ben-vung-tu-chuong-trinh-1719-60601a1/