(VOVworld) – After three years implementing the new rural development program, agriculture and the countryside on the outskirts of Hanoi have seen positive changes. Hanoi has drawn lessons in building new rural areas, including promoting the people’s role, mobilizing social resources, and democratically discussing policies and mechanisms.
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| Tay Tuu flower village (hanoimoi.com.vn) |
Over the reviewed period, 100% of the communes in 19 districts and townships in Hanoi have finalized their projects on building new rural areas. 161 of 401 communes have achieved 10 of 19 criteria and 12 communes have fulfilled all 19 criteria. Many communes have recorded remarkable economic growth and people’s living conditions have improved. Phuong Dinh commune’s “billionaire villages” have been improved by replanting using new varieties of trees. Tien Yen commune in Hoai Duc district is popular for planting safe vegetable. Tay Tuu commune in Tu Liem district has expanded its flower farms. Nguyen Van Vien, a villager of La Thach hamlet, Phuong Dinh commune, says: "We have planted new varieties of plants. We have over 60 hectares of fruit trees and vegetables. This year the price of vegetables is high, and we had a bumper crop, so we made a good profit. We want to expand the safe vegetable planting areas. The commune has 160 dairy cows and the dairy farmers have savings."
Nguyen Van Quyet's fruit farm in Thanh Son commune, Son Tay district (hanoimoi.com.vn) |
Bac Thuong hamlet in Soc Son district has re-zoned 54 hectares of land and allocated them to the villagers for cultivation. Nguyen Ngoc Dong, Deputy Head of Bac Thuong hamlet’s land zoning board, said the most important things are to change people’s awareness through democratic discussions and introduce them to effective cultivation plans. "Our commune took communication and planning as breakthroughs based on the motto “the people know, the people discuss, and the people benefit”. We come to households to explain land zoning policy. In order to gain the people’s trust before a community meeting, we had to dismantle illegal constructions. 100% of the people agreed to our land rezoning plan." Dong says.
There remain challenges in implementing the new rural development plan in Hanoi such as insufficient investment in agriculture, a lack of measures to resolve environmental pollution, and inadequate outlets for farm produce. Hanoi has mobilized over 8.5 trillion Dong, including 1 trillion from enterprises and the people for building new rural areas. Nguyen Cong Soai, Deputy Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee and Head of the Municipal’s Steering Committee on building new rural areas, says: "The city will continue to identify key jobs for the future. Communes that have achieved 14 to 18 criteria will strive to complete all 19 criteria this year or next year. Those who have completed all the criteria have to maintain and expand their results. The city has asked localities to continue adopting new varieties and trees and animals, applying advanced technology, and practicing a civilized lifestyle. We’re focusing on communications about building new rural areas."
Hanoi plans to have another 160 communes achieve all 19 criteria by 2015, boost farmers’ average annual income to 25 million Dong, and reduce the poverty rate to between 1.5 and 1.8%. In order to sustainably implement the new rural development plan, the city authority and sectors have imposed corporate measures focusing on communications to create social consensus.