Ethnic minority communes are transforming.

O Lam is one of the five particularly disadvantaged communes in Tri Ton district, with over 95% of its population being Khmer ethnic minorities. Recognizing that ethnic affairs and caring for the lives of ethnic minorities are crucial tasks, the local Party committee and government have focused resources and integrated various programs and projects to reduce poverty and promote socio-economic development.

The lives of the Khmer ethnic minority people in O Lam commune are improving day by day.

Effectiveness of national target programs

In O Lam commune, the 135 Program, implemented over the past decades, has yielded practical results. The National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, giai đoạn 2021 - 2030, is considered the next impetus for improving the lives of the people. Previously, most people in the commune lived by farming, but with little arable land, poverty persisted. Many households had to work as hired laborers, leading to precarious family lives. Faced with this reality, the O Lam Commune Party Committee focused on leading and directing the implementation of resolutions on socio-economic development; maintaining political stability and social order and security.

In 2024, from the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority Areas, O Lam commune supported the purchase of machinery and agricultural tools for agricultural production services for 85 households, totaling 850 million VND. In addition, it provided decentralized water supply support for 26 households and housing support for 25 households with a total of 1.1 billion VND. According to Chau Soc Huan, Vice Chairman of the O Lam Commune People's Committee, the commune prioritizes housing support, the purchase of agricultural machinery and tools, infrastructure development, livelihood diversification, and vocational training for the people. “Through the implementation of programs and sub-projects, most people have shown trust and support. As a result, many households, especially the Khmer ethnic minority, have risen out of poverty and have more stable lives,” Mr. Huan shared.

For example, the family of Mr. Le Thanh Nhan (residing in Phuoc Binh hamlet) is classified as a poor household, lacking land for production, mainly relying on hired labor, and without a stable income. Mr. Nhan's house has been dilapidated for many years, and he has lacked the means to repair or rebuild it. Considering his family's circumstances, the local government provided a house through Project 1 (Addressing the shortage of land for housing, production, and living), under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. "This house is a long-held dream of my wife and I. Receiving this support has given us renewed faith and hope to strive for a better life and future," Mr. Nhan happily shared.

Socio -economic development continues to grow.

Over the years, thanks to funding from national target programs, the lives of people in O Lam commune have seen many positive changes. In 2024, socio-economic development maintained stable growth. Industry and handicrafts developed in the direction of expanding into new sectors. Total state budget revenue exceeded 16 billion VND, reaching 205.9% of the plan; creating jobs for 1,442 workers, a rate of 144.2%.

In the first quarter of 2025, the local socio-economic situation continued to improve. Total state budget revenue reached over 3.5 billion VND, while total expenditure was nearly 2.7 billion VND. Traditional crafts, such as palm sugar production, flattened rice flakes, and Ka Tum cakes, continued to develop. Healthcare and education were implemented comprehensively; 100% of the commune's residents received health insurance cards. The commune achieved 10 out of 19 criteria and 41 out of 57 indicators for the new rural development program, contributing significantly to the transformation of the rural landscape and the noticeable improvement in people's lives.

According to Chau Soc Huan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of O Lam commune, in 2025, O Lam commune will focus on comprehensive agricultural development linked with the application of science and technology. In addition, it will continue to promote the movement of all citizens in preventing and combating crime and social evils; striving to reduce the poverty rate by 4% per year. At the same time, it will continue to prioritize the development of education, ensure social security policies; and successfully achieve the socio-economic development targets set out in the resolution for 2025.

DUC TOAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/xa-dong-bao-dan-toc-thieu-so-chuyen-minh-a419474.html