Creating livelihoods to help Khmer people rise up

Thanks to the close attention of the local government and the efforts of the people in changing their production mindset, applying new techniques and making good use of support policies, many Khmer households in Tra Con commune have gradually stabilized their lives, increased their income, and contributed to local economic development.

Thanks to the close attention of the local government and the efforts of the people in changing their production mindset, applying new techniques and making good use of support policies, many Khmer households in Tra Con commune have gradually stabilized their lives, increased their income, and contributed to local economic development.

Raising cows in Tra Con commune helps Khmer ethnic households have conditions to open up long-term business opportunities.

Change from small models

In recent years, the life of Khmer people in Tra Con commune has changed positively. People have begun to combine traditional farming experience with new techniques; change crop and livestock varieties to suit land conditions, weather, and market demand; convert ineffective production areas to growing crops, fruit trees or raising livestock and poultry, gradually increasing income and improving life.

Growing cucumbers and raising cows to diversify income sources, Mr. Thach Thanh - 63 years old (Ngai Lo A hamlet) shared: "Thanks to favorable weather and suitable varieties, the melons produce fruit continuously, the selling price fluctuates between 28,000 and 30,000 VND/kg, bringing in a significant income. Besides, I also grow grass to raise cows. This is a long-term source of accumulated capital, helping the family have more income."

Not only that, in their spare time, Mr. Thanh and his wife also take on cashew nut scraping jobs to earn extra income. “I do whatever I can, as long as I have extra money to take care of my family and my children’s education.

I hope the locality will create more conditions for the family to have more capital to raise pigs and expand the acreage of fields to increase income" - Mr. Thanh expressed.

Not only Mr. Thanh, many Khmer households in the area also choose to diversify their livelihoods: growing short-term crops, raising cows, raising pigs, growing coconuts, working as seasonal workers... to increase their income.

Thanks to the diversity of livestock models, in recent years, the family economy of Mr. Thach Xem (Ngai Lo A hamlet) has been more stable. He is currently raising 20 pigs and 4 beef cows; the price of live cows this year has increased sharply, from 21-22 million VND/head, an increase of 2 million VND/head compared to the same period last year, he expects to have a good income during Tet.

In addition, Mr. Xem also combines raising Thai frogs according to the model of "frogs on top, perch below" with the average selling price of commercial frogs at 40,000-45,000 VND/kg; at the same time, maintaining a flock of chickens and ducks and taking care of 5 hectares of oranges to have a source of income for the season. Thanks to his diligence in business, Mr. Xem has the conditions to send his children to university, and the family's life is increasingly better.

Continue to improve life

According to the People's Committee of Tra Con commune, the commune has more than 8,800 Khmer people, accounting for 19.2% of the commune's population. In recent years, the Party Committee and the commune government have invested in building essential infrastructure, supporting people to develop production, increase income, and improve their lives.

Accordingly, the lives of Khmer people continue to improve through national target programs. Particularly, the project of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority Areas in 2025 according to Decision No. 1812/QD-UBND, dated September 5, 2022 of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Long Province (old) has disbursed more than 1.6 billion VND to support housing and land for disadvantaged households, contributing to creating a stable foundation for people to feel secure in production.

Cultural and social fields also received synchronous investment: cultural facilities, schools and medical facilities were upgraded; social security and gratitude policies were promptly implemented.

Medical examination, treatment and health care better meet people's needs, while policies related to religion are strictly implemented, creating conditions for Khmer people to maintain their religious activities in accordance with the law.

In 2025, the People's Committee of Tra Con commune conducted a review of communes in areas III, II, I, especially disadvantaged hamlets and communes and hamlets in ethnic minority areas according to the development level in the period 2021-2025; reported and proposed National Target Programs for Ethnic Minority Areas Project 1 and Project 5; supported 3 poor and near-poor households of ethnic minorities in need of clean water support and 3 households in need of loan support according to Decree No. 28/2022/ND-CP. On the occasion of Chol Chnam Thmay Tet 2025, the province and commune organized visits and presented gifts to 4 Khmer pagodas, 16 policy families, 8 prestigious people, 52 poor households, 64 students studying at the provincial ethnic boarding school.

Mr. Nguyen Van Luu - Secretary of Ngai Lo A Hamlet (Tra Con Commune), said: The hamlet currently has nearly 500 households, of which more than 50% are Khmer ethnic people. In recent years, the lives of the people have had many positive changes, many households have proactively sought a livelihood suitable to their family conditions.

To help households, especially Khmer households, promote production efficiency, the locality has implemented many forms of support such as opening training classes, providing guidance on livestock and crop farming techniques, supporting breeds, and creating conditions for accessing preferential loans. Social security policies, housing support, and cultural life care have also been fully implemented.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Nhieu - Vice Chairman of Tra Con Commune People's Committee, the above results are an important driving force for the commune to continue expanding livelihood development models, especially for the Khmer people.

In the coming time, the commune will promote sustainable production transformation, focusing on converting crops and livestock towards increasing value and adapting to climate change; developing collective economy, encouraging Khmer people to participate in cooperatives and cooperatives; applying science and technology, strengthening production-consumption links; supporting the expansion of cow and pig farming models, fruit tree planting and high-quality rice models; focusing on vocational training, creating jobs for Khmer workers; promoting sustainable poverty reduction, improving housing quality and social welfare; encouraging the development of OCOP products associated with Khmer culture.

Article and photos: SONG THAO

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202512/tao-sinh-ke-giup-dong-bao-khmer-vuon-len-93e4e3b/