Providing livelihoods, inspiring the will to escape poverty

From supporting breeds to mastering the model

Previously, Mr. Bui Van Dien's family (living in Minh Hop commune, Nghe An province) was a poor household for many years. Thanks to the support of breeding cows from the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas, he began to get acquainted with systematic animal husbandry, received technical training, and instructions on care and disease prevention.

Mr. Dien invested in building a feed trough, a grass grinder and an area to grow elephant grass near his house for the fattening cattle barn. “Since receiving support for breeding cows and growing elephant grass, my family has had an additional income of tens of millions of dong each year when the cows give birth. My wife and I are very excited and enthusiastic about working in production,” Mr. Dien shared.

Giving breeding cows to people in the mountainous areas of Nghe An

The special point of the program is that it does not stop at “giving fish” but aims at “giving fishing rods”, helping people have a stable livelihood and the confidence to escape poverty. “In the past, my family had nothing, and I wanted to raise a cow but had no capital. Thanks to the program’s support of breeding stock and technical guidance, now the cow has calved, and I have more income, I feel like my life has a direction”, said Mr. Truong Xuan Tam (residing in Xuan Son hamlet, Minh Hop commune), his eyes shining with confidence.

Mr. Truong Xuan Tam and his wife (living in Minh Hop commune) are over 70 years old this year. In early 2024, the family received a breeding cow, which gave the family more motivation in life. The cow barn is located only a few hundred meters away from the two main houses, but there is almost no strange smell because it is cleaned regularly.

“Before receiving the cow breeding support, my wife and I only had income from selling vegetables and fruits grown in our garden and raising a few chickens and pigs. Since receiving the cow breeding support, our family has grown more elephant grass, using the vegetables, tubers and fruits grown to fatten the livestock, so the cows have grown healthily,” he said.

The herd of cows given to them is growing well, making an important contribution to the goal of hunger eradication and poverty reduction.

Mr. Dinh Viet Ha, Chairman of Minh Hop Commune People's Committee, said that although the poverty rate has not decreased much, thanks to the support from the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, people have had new sources of livelihood and gradually escaped poverty. "The most valuable thing about the program is not its material value but rather awakening the will and spirit of self-reliance in each person," said Mr. Ha.

Community monitoring, spreading responsibility

The program of giving breeding cows to create sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minority people in Son Lam commune, Nghe An province is also reaping success beyond expectations. From 60 breeding cows given to 30 households in October 2024, after less than a year, the herd has welcomed 9 more cows, lighting up the hope of escaping poverty for dozens of families.

From the previous free-range grazing practice, households have now switched to scientific confinement methods, storing enough hay and straw to prepare for the rainy season. "Both breeding cows are fat, pregnant and ready to give birth. With the new calf, our family has more hope for a stable source of income," said Ms. Mac Thi Nhan (residing in Thanh Duong village, Son Lam commune).

Ms. Mac Thi Nhan was happy when one of the two breeding cows she was given just gave birth.

Ms. Lo Thi Thuy, Vice President of the Women's Union of Son Lam commune, said that among many livelihood programs given to people so far, the herd of 60 cows given by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union in October 2024 is the most successful.

To ensure that the cows are properly cared for and develop well, the Women's Union of Son Lam commune has set up a separate Facebook group, led by Ms. Thuy. Here, households can update photos, exchange experiences, and share difficulties in the raising process. In particular, through the group, everyone can follow the journey of the cows from the time they are given to the time they give birth, creating transparency and increasing responsibility and efficiency.

“Creating a Facebook group not only helps to publicize and make transparent the use of support resources, but also creates a forum for people to learn and help each other to escape poverty. I know which cows are pregnant, which are about to give birth, and which have given birth like the back of my hand. Currently, there are 9 mother cows giving birth, which is a clear proof of the effectiveness of the program,” said Ms. Thuy.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/trao-sinh-ke-khoi-day-y-chi-thoat-ngheo-post1792677.tpo