(VOVworld) – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh said that the new rural development program has become a widespread campaign involving the participation of the political system and the people.

At a review conference of the Steering Board for the new rural development program on Wednesday in Hanoi, Mr. Ninh said it had become practical, with 144 communes fulfilling all 19 criteria of the program. He urged the Ministries, and sectors to come up with further recommendations to improve the program.

In 2014, Vietnam aims to raise the number of communes involved in the new rural areas to 700. In order to fulfill the target, it is necessary to invest more in basic infrastructure such as transportation, irrigation, clean water, the restructuring of production and the development of education, healthcare and lifestyles in these areas.