A model to raise dairy cattle in Soc Trang province. (Photo: japfavietnam.com)

The coastal town of Vinh Chau faced many challenges when it began to implement the National Target Program in New Rural Development 7 years ago. But with the tremendous efforts made by the entire local political system and people, Vinh Chau town has changed for the better with remarkable improvements in socio-economic infrastructure and pubic living conditions.

Along with key projects in irrigation, transport, and electricity invested by the state, locals have spent their own money and man power on building communal facilities.

Tra Khol, Party Committee Secretary of Vinh Hai, (the standing) chairs a meeting with the locals. (Photo: crsd.vn)

Tra Khol, Party Committee Secretary of Vinh Hai, a remote commune of Vinh Chau district whose Khmer people account for half of the population, told VOV that thanks to the new style rural development programs, and other socio-economic projects, local living conditions have improved remarkably.

Khol noted that villagers were happy to see positive changes in their home town with more spacious houses, roads, schools, and medical stations.

In Vinh Chau, the combination between production development models and new style rural development programs has resulted in high economic efficiency. The area can now grow vegetables on the edge of shrimp raising ponds, raise African carps and shrimp altogether apply intensive farming in ‘kèo’ fish raising, and grow purple onions in line with Global GAP standards.  

The majority of communes in My Xuyen district now have cement roads leading to each alley. The local irrigation canal system has also been paved.

Tran Chin Tam, Vice Chairman of Dai Tam Commune People's Committee, said the commune’s large-scale rice field covers nearly 600 hectares. Since 2014 the application of new seedlings has resulted in profits of nearly 1,800 USD per ha. Dai Tam people have also engaged in aquaculture and animal husbandry. They utilize canal edges and improved impoverished soil to grow grass for cattle breeding.

Dai Tam commune has 65 hectares of grass to feed nearly 2,000 cows. Tam said: “There are many models of raising dairy and beef cattle. The farmers have relatively stable incomes. Currently the commune is following the province’s plan on cattle farming to create a major source of income for the locals. In addition, Dai Tam people are engaged in trading and services.”

By the end of last year, 21 communes in Soc Trang had completed new style rural standards. It has set a target to have 2 more districts and half of the total communes recognized as new style rural areas.