(VOVworld) – More than 200 village patriarchs have been honored for their contribution to the socio-economic development, poverty eradication, and well being of ethnic minority groups in Dak Nong province.

Village patriarchs are the pioneers contributing to socio-economic development and national unity.

At a ceremony Thursday, the provincial People’s Committee presented certificates of merit to the patriarchs for their contribution to patriotic grass-roots emulation movements. Patriarchs have persuaded locals to settle in planned residential areas, give up their old-fashioned habit of nomadic farming, restructure their crops, and apply advanced technology in agricultural production. Patriarchs are not only a bridge linking the Party, local authorities, and the public, but pioneers in popularizing Party and State policies, inspiring villagers to adopt a new lifestyle, and contributing to socio-economic growth and national unity.