Tan Thanh's journey towards sustainable poverty reduction.

QTO - Tan Thanh commune is undergoing significant transformation thanks to the flexible application and effective implementation of policies from the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. New livelihood models, newly extended roads connecting to each hamlet, and sturdy houses are gradually emerging, igniting new vitality and creating a solid foundation for many poor and near-poor households to improve their lives and move towards sustainable development.

Pillars for sustainable development

Tan Thanh commune was formed from the merger of three communes: Hoa Phuc, Hoa Tien and Hoa Thanh (old Minh Hoa district). It is a mountainous locality with 12 villages and 1,378 households. The terrain is extensive and complex, the population is scattered, and the economy is mainly based on agriculture and forestry, causing the locality to face many specific challenges.

Talking to us, Tan Thanh Commune Party Secretary Cao Thanh Hai said: “Although the starting point was still difficult, with the solidarity and determination of the entire political system, and the efforts of the people, Tan Thanh has made clear changes. The socio-economic development programs and policies for ethnic minority and mountainous areas have been implemented synchronously, close to reality, creating a strong driving force to help people improve their lives, especially poor and near-poor households. The results achieved are an important foundation for us to continue towards the goal of sustainable development”.

Roads are prone to prolonged flooding after heavy rains, causing difficulties in infrastructure development - Photo: HC

In the process of implementing the National Target Programs, Tan Thanh commune always closely follows the reality of local life and flexibly applies the mechanisms and policies of the Central and the province. In particular, the National Target Program for socio-economic development in the ethnic minority and mountainous regions has become one of the important pillars of the locality. Projects to support production, diversify livelihoods, and develop household economic models are implemented with focus, key points, and are suitable for each target group.

In parallel, training courses on science and technology transfer are held regularly, helping people boldly apply new models and change traditional production thinking. People gradually approach sustainable economic methods, creating stable income and opening up opportunities for many poor and near-poor households.

Arousing the people's spirit of overcoming difficulties

Talking about the results of implementing the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in the Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas in the locality, Mr. Dinh Van Chinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tan Thanh Commune, said: "The commune has supported the construction of houses for 16 households, helping families have stable housing and feel secure in developing the economy. In livelihood development, Tan Thanh has supported more than 1.1 billion VND to form many effective economic models, creating conditions for people to increase their income and expand new production directions. Particularly in Yen Van village, a particularly difficult Ethnic Minority area, over 7 billion VND has been invested to build intra-field roads, canals, intra-village traffic and support plant varieties. Thereby, contributing to improving and creating positive changes in the lives and production conditions of the people."

Mr. Dinh Huu Thiem, from Kien Trinh village, is one of the exemplary figures in economic development in Tan Thanh commune. From a family facing many difficulties, he invested in raising wild pigs and now maintains a herd of nearly 100 animals, bringing in an income of over 300 million VND per year.

Mr. Thien shared: “After attending technical training courses, I have a good understanding of the care process, disease prevention and building a safe livestock model. In particular, thanks to the support of local authorities and support resources from programs and projects, my family's livestock model is growing and has stable output. This is also the motivation for me to continue expanding the scale of production.”

Mr. Dinh Huu Thiem in Kien Trinh village with a wild boar farming model brings in an income of over 300 million VND/year - Photo: HC

Mr. Thiem also hopes that people in the commune will change their way of thinking and doing, not waiting or relying on support but proactively finding suitable development directions to escape poverty. His economic model is a vivid demonstration of the effectiveness of policies when implemented in the right direction, and at the same time demonstrates the spirit of self-reliance and the will to overcome difficulties of the people in the mountainous areas.

Along with livelihood support, Tan Thanh also focuses on communication work, mobilizing people to participate in poverty reduction programs and projects. Community activities and mobile propaganda have helped people understand their rights and responsibilities and actively respond to the campaign and patriotic emulation movement. Rural infrastructure in the commune has also been gradually improved, the traffic system, schools, medical stations, irrigation works, and domestic water have been newly invested or upgraded. Cultural houses in many villages have been renovated and become places for cultural and artistic activities, contributing to improving the spiritual life of the people.

Focus on removing arising problems

According to the leaders of Tan Thanh commune, although many initial results have been achieved, if viewed objectively, the socio-economic development situation of the commune still faces many difficulties. The implementation of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in the ethnic minority and mountainous areas is still slow compared to the requirements; many contents with large capital proportions, especially career capital, have not been implemented so far, causing the disbursement rate to be low; some objectives of the program have to be adjusted and supplemented many times. Although the income of ethnic minority households has improved, it is still much lower than the average level of the province.

In addition, essential issues such as inadequately developed infrastructure, undeveloped agricultural land, and access to clean water remain major challenges to the local area's sustainable poverty reduction efforts.

The poverty rate in Tan Thanh commune has decreased by an average of 7.7% per year, with 162 poor households remaining, accounting for 11.7% of the total number of households. The total investment capital for the new rural development program over the past five years has reached 44 billion VND. All implemented projects have been effective, ensuring quality and contributing to the commune achieving 11 out of 19 new rural development criteria. Throughout the commune, 165 poor and near-poor households have had their temporary or dilapidated houses replaced.

“We have learned a lesson in implementing sustainable poverty reduction in the locality, which is to promote the role of the people as the main subject, increase the socialization of resources, and improve the quality of propaganda work so that people understand and accompany the government in programs and projects. During the implementation process, agencies and units regularly exchange information and coordinate closely to promptly resolve arising problems. In particular, the locality has focused on solving the problem of stabilizing the population for households in areas at risk of landslides and natural disasters; linking population arrangement with vocational training and creating long-term jobs for people. This is an important step to help Tan Thanh not only reduce poverty in the immediate future but also ensure sustainable livelihoods in the future,” emphasized Mr. Dinh Van Chinh, Chairman of Tan Thanh Commune People's Committee.

In the coming time, Tan Thanh commune continues to identify socio-economic development associated with sustainable poverty reduction as a key task. The locality aims to promote agricultural restructuring towards modernization, apply science and technology, develop high-value economic models; expand the service and trade sectors; attract businesses to invest in rural areas. In addition, the commune continues to mobilize resources from national target programs, combining community resources to invest in essential infrastructure.

Hien Chi

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202512/tan-thanh-with-the-journey-of-sustainable-poverty-reduction-5672d2a/